May 2010 (pdf) - Hampden Community Council

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hampden community council | since 1972 | www.hampdenhappenings.org | may 2010

2 historic hampden happenings • May 2010
historic hampden happenings • May 2010 3
HAMPDEN
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
HCC Officers
President: Everett Noe
Vice President: Position Vacant
Secretary: Bridget Sampson
Treasurer: Adam Feuerstein
Board Members
John Bosley
Betty Callahan
Genny Dill
Adam Feuerstein
Kat Feuerstein
Jay Lazar
HCC CONTACT INFO
Everett Noe, President
HCC, PO Box 19957
Hampden, MD 21211
hccpresident@gmail.com
www.hampdenhappenings.org
MAY HCC MEETING
The next HCC meeting is on
Monday, May 24th.
Plan to join us at 7 p.m. at the Roosevelt Park
Recreation Center on West 36th Street.
The agenda will include committee updates
and discussions of the most important issues
of the day for business owners and residents
of Hampden.
Committee updates: 7:00-7:20 pm
Board Elections: 7:20-7:45 pm
Open slot: 7:45-8:00 pm
New business: 8:00-8:15 pm
Historic Hampden Happenings is distributed
to residents, organizations and businesses
throughout Greater Hampden.
Circulation: 2,200, Readers: 10,000+
©2010 All rights reserved.
The HCC is a 501 (c) (3)
nonprofit organization.
www.hampdenhappenings.org • Since 1972
Cover photo by Nick Hall
Everett Noe
Erin Nueslein
George L Peters Jr
Bridget Sampson
David Sugar
4 9
Shop at Sevi and Earth Alley and
you’re patronizing more than the local
economy—your support is global.
president’s letter
Thank you to everyone who came out to Zissimo’s
for the Happiest Hampden Hour! And thank
you Zissimo’s for being such a great host. The
music was fun, and the newly renovated bar is an
amazing space. Keep your eye open for news of
our next happy hour.
We tried our best, but the neighborhood of
Radnor-Winston took the prize in the city’s
RecycleMore neighborhood recycling contest.
Hampden came in 3rd, though less than 100lbs
from the winner. Thank you to all who worked
hard and recycled as much as they could for the
contest. Even though the contest is over and we
didn’t win, please keep up the good work and
keep that recycling going!
A special thank you to everyone for
the support the Family Center has
received these past 15 years. We could
not have done it without you.
HCC Board Elections to be Held at May Meeting
By Everett Noe
News from the Roosevelt Park Rec Council
By Lisa Meyers
We are looking for people to join our council.
You do not have to be athletic—you just have
to be willing to share your time, energy, or
ideas. We are looking to add more activities for
children and adults. With the budget cuts that
Baltimore City is facing, we need people to help
us keep our rec center open. If you’re willing to
give some of your time please consider coming
to our next rec council meeting on Thrusday,
May 20 @ 6:30pm at the Rec Center. Call the
Rec for futher information @ 410-396-6050.
Quarter Auction: May 7, 2010. Doors open
at 6pm and the auction starts at 7pm. We will
have Hearts for Mom Jewelry, D & T chocolates,
Tastefully Simple, Pampered Chef, Baskets by
Jenny, Mary Kay, Party Lite, Custom Design
Flowers, Slumber Party & Tupperware. Paddles
Elections for the Hampden Community
Council’s board of directors will be held at our
General Membership Meeting in May. A list of
nominees will be sent out via email (and posted
on our Facebook page) prior to the election. To
be eligible to vote, you have to be a paid member
in good standing, have attended a minimum of 5
meetings in the most recent 12 months, and be
present at the meeting to cast your vote. Newly
elected board members will take office effective
June 1st, 2010.
Because our usual HCC meeting day falls on
Memorial Day this year, we will be meeting on
Monday, May 24th instead.
will be $3.00 each and 2 for $5.00. Please bring
your friends and neighbors with you.
Our Annual Spring Fling Festival & Flea
Market will be held May 15, 2010 with a
raindate of May 22, 2010 from 9am-3pm.
Spaces are available for $15.00. Please contact
Judi Atkinson @ 410-243-0668.
The Rec is accepting applications for the 2010
Summer Camp Program. Campers will enjoy
swimming, arts & crafts, day trips & other fun
activities. Please call the Rec Center for more
info @ 410-396-6050.
REMEMBER TO KEEP OUR REC CENTER OPEN!
WE NEED YOU!
clean & green team
All of us are creatures of habit. We have daily
rituals that we do not think much about, nor
do we recognize their connections to the larger
community around us. As I walked Jasper along
Stony Run this morning, the restoration project
just below University Drive Bridge was getting
planted with native trees and shrubs. This was
a perfect reminder that as we have built up our
communities, we have removed much of the
canopy that provided cooling from shade; excess
water from going directly into storm drains;
compost from leaf litter; oxygen from carbon
dioxide and habitat for fauna. Applications
for Street Trees have trickled in, but so many
existing tree wells are without a tree. If you
have a tree well, or know of one that a neighbor
would like to have filled, please contact me at
sustainablehampden@gmail.com or send in
the tree application available on our website
(hampdenhappenings.org/Clean_Green.htm) or
on the back page of this newsletter, and we will
do all we can to get the right tree for your space.
Also on this morning’s walk, I was reminded
by a friend that for everything we do, we should
strive to be productive while minimizing
the stress and maximizing the fun. This was
the direction she felt the Clean & Green
Committee was moving in. With productivity
in mind, I would like to thank all the volunteers
of the Mayor’s Spring Clean Up and especially
those who organized the work on or around
your particular blocks. So much trash was
removed from our streets, alleys and gutters.
I would like to thank all of you who helped
make our run at the RecycleMore Competition
podium finish. We may not have won the party,
but we have succeeded in raising awareness
within our community. While doing so, we
have increased trash pickups on the Avenue
Clean & Green Committee Moving in the Right Direction
By Jay Lazar, Clean & Green Committee Chair
corner cans along the way. I would like to
extend a special thank you to Tonya Simmons,
the City recycling coordinator, for seeing the
increased pickups through.
The final thing my friend reminded me was that
no one person can do it all, that it truly takes a
village to reach the collective’s goals. We have a
great core group of neighbors who are working
on various projects from creating a Hampden
Green Map (greenmap.org) to raising fish
and vegetables in an aquaponic structure in a
backyard (growingpower.org). Several other
members are keeping the Clean and Green
foundational projects going, like Get Trashed On
Tuesdays (May 25) and Street Tree Planting. Our
next C&G Committee meeting is Tuesday, May
4 at 7pm (location is 3506 Ash Street). If you
have a project you would like to get started, or are
interested in supporting ongoing work, please
stop by because our next meeting is open to the
general community. It’s up to all of us to make
Hampden a more livable place for everyone.
In addition to what’s happening in Hampden,
there are several items that I want to mention
that are the epitome of a sustainable city.
First, there’s the B’more Streets for People
(onelesscar.org/page.php?id=154) which is
a proposed closure of roads for the sole use of
pedestrians to bike, run, walk, rollerblade, or
generally enjoy without the concern of cars.
Volunteers are needed and contact information
is on the web site. Second, the Jones Falls
Watershed Association has several upcoming
events including tree plantings, tree giveaways
and an Adopt-A-Stream workshop scheduled
for May. More information is online (jonesfalls.
org/programs/upcoming_events).
RICHARD LAMKIN
REALTOR ®
4800 Roland Avenue
Suite B-1
Baltimore, MD 21210
Office: 410-889-9800
Fax: 410-889-9815
Cell: 410-419-2615
richardlamkin@infre.com
®
Photo by Marla O’Neill
The spring clean up piled up some significant trash
from our alleys, streets, nooks and crannies.
The City Office of Sustainability has released
its first annual report, an accountability tool for
the many initiatives under the seven themes
of sustainability. The report can be viewed and
downloaded online (baltimoresustainability.org).
Finally, for those gardeners who are interested
in attracting pollinators, there’s a workshop in
May through Parks and People (parksandpeople.
org/events/calendar/details/119/2010-05-15).
Thanks, and enjoy the spring.
Meet. Mingle. Pray. Play.
In Nearby Mount Vernon Cultural District
www.EmmanuelDowntown.org
Emmanuel Episcopal Church
The Great Hall & The Undercroft
(1852)
Classes. Opera. Weddings. Art. Speakers. Book Group. Music. More.
Sundays: 8:30AM Eucharist (Chapel)
10:30AM Choral Morning Prayer (Eucharist, 1st Sundays)
6PM Evensong (with cantor)
Wednesdays: 6PM Eucharist (Chapel)
CATHEDRAL & READ STS. (JFX Exit 5/Maryland Ave)
410.685.1130
Free Sunday Morning Parking - Adjacent PMI Lot

4 historic hampden happenings • May 2010
historic hampden happenings • May 2010 5
Feel Good about Shopping
at Sevi and Earth Alley
By Carrie Stickel
It’s not every day that you find a shop with a
mission, but shops in Hampden offer much more
than the everyday experience. Shop at Sevi and
Earth Alley and you’re patronizing more than the
local economy—your support is global.
Sevi
“Some people are born in their homes; it just
took me 18 years to find mine,” says Sevi Kay
of her journey from Turkey to Sweden and,
finally, America. When Sevi, owner of Sevi, an
organic, vegan, and all-natural skin care, body
care and cosmetics shop at 813 36th Street,
moved to America in 1987, she said that she
never felt foreign and never took for granted
the kindness and sincere curiosity of her new
American friends.
Sevi started out making animal products: her
German shepherd, Mundo, had skin problems
that confounded the veterinarians and was
never alleviated by prescription medications
and creams. When Sevi saw Mundo suffering
through side effects and more skin problems, she
started researching ingredients to make a salve
that would give relief to her pup. She created an
ointment that soothed Mundo’s aggravated skin,
and her friends and neighbors took note. Not
only did Sevi tell them about the ointment she
created, she gave them the recipe! She quickly
discovered, however, that they didn’t want to
make their own ointments—they wanted to buy
hers. Thus, an entrepreneur was born.
When I mentioned to Sevi that her story started
out very similarly to Robin McDonald’s of Howl,
she mentioned that Robin was one of her early
customers. At the time, Sevi was living in New
York and selling her wares to wholesalers; Robin
found her online, loved her products, and started
Photos by Whitney Cecil
selling Sevi’s products to Baltimore pet owners.
As customers realized how wonderfully Sevi’s
products worked on their dogs, they couldn’t
help but want products they could use on
themselves. One woman treated her dog with
Sevi’s paw ointment and noticed that her
fingernail fungus went away too. Another woman
happened to have the paw ointment on-hand on
a ski trip. When she couldn’t find her lip balm,
she and her skiing companions used Sevi’s
ointment instead. Another woman was really
adventurous: she tried Sevi’s dog shampoo on
her own hair! She loved it, and told Sevi that for
the first time she could feel her scalp breathing!
These women were among the first to encourage
Sevi to begin making products for people. Thus,
the skin care and body care lotions, ointments,
and washes were created. From there, people
started to ask Sevi to add color to the lip balm,
and Sevi’s cosmetic line took shape.
Sevi’s business started out as wholesale: she
created the products, put it in bottles, and
shipped it to her clients (mainly salons and spas).
When Sevi and her network-administrator
husband Steve moved to Baltimore, Sevi worked
out of a 200 year-old tobacco warehouse in East
Baltimore. After four years there, she decided
she needed new digs because she was having
a baby and the warehouse would not be a safe
environment for her child.
Sevi started looking around and toyed with the
thought of having a storefront; a gregarious
woman, Sevi craved regular interaction with
clients. She had never heard of Hampden, but
when she was introduced to the neighborhood,
she knew it was the right spot. She moved in and
opened her doors last May. She named the store
“Sevi” because people connected her work with
her name. Also, “sevi” is the Turkish word for
love, and love goes into all of Sevi’s work. This
keeps her Turkish heritage alive, as does her
daughter’s name, Ayla, Turkish for light around
the moon.
When you talk to Sevi about her research and
philosophies on natural products, she’ll tell
you as much as you want to know. If you come
into her shop with specific questions or skin
issues, she’ll tell you about her research and
give you some ideas about where you can find
information for yourself. The one piece of
advice she has for everyone is to stay away
from perfumes—too many harmful synthetic
materials go into the making of perfumes simply
to make the scent last. She suggests looking
for natural perfumers and protecting your
body against these unnecessary and harmful
elements. She also recommends keeping a
daily journal to track your health. Track what
you eat, how it makes you feel, and any unusual
occurrences in your body. In other words, be the
expert on your own health.
Sevi keeps retail hours on Saturdays from
noon to 5 pm. Stop in to try out her handmade
products and see if you don’t leave with a
handful of samples. If you can’t stop by on a
Saturday, check out her website and blog: www.
sevicosmetics.com and www.ecosevi.com/blog.
Earth Alley
In the mid-80s, Eva Khoury was an exchange
student in Denmark and made a decision that
would shape the rest of her life: she became
an environmentalist. Deeply affected by the
careful way the Danes lived so as not to waste
anything, Eva decided to take a closer look
at her own lifestyle. Twenty years later, Eva
has put her passion for the environment and
her appreciation for other cultures to work
in Baltimore by opening the eco- and worldfriendly
gift shop, Earth Alley.
Eva didn’t set out to run her own business: she
received a bachelor’s degree in international
studies at the School of International Training
and a master’s degree in community planning
at the University of New Mexico. In 2000, she
was recruited to Baltimore to work on inner-city
crime reduction, so she moved here with her
husband, Rick Packie. About three and a half
years later, Rick was offered a job in Seattle, so
they moved to the west coast. Even though the
couple loved Seattle, they always felt drawn to
Baltimore and Eva knew she would come back.
Though Eva grew up in New England and has
lived all over the globe, she says that Baltimore
is the only east coast city for her. She developed a
passion for world travel and a global perspective
years before her time abroad in Denmark: when
she was 13 years old, a family friend took her
to Jamaica. They stayed away from the touristy
areas and, for the first time, Eva saw real poverty.
Her experiences traveling have opened her eyes
to other ways of life and other cultures, and Eva
continues to travel whenever she can.
In 2007, Eva returned to her adopted hometown
to become Baltimore’s first bike coordinator.
She was ideally suited for the job: when the
city started replacing parking meters with pay
stations, Eva was able to think like a community
planner and an environmentalist, and collected
the metal poles. If you look carefully, you can
see the poles have reappeared on The Avenue—
they serve as the central piece for the whimsical
new bike racks that line the streets. All told,
Eva is responsible for putting up 75 bike racks
throughout the city.
When Eva moved back to Baltimore she knew
she wanted to open a store. She and Rick decided
to move to Hampden and open their business
here because they love the neighborhood, and
because they feel it’s important to live and work
in the same community. Eva has always had an
affinity for jewelry and pretty things, so she
knew a store like Earth Alley, with an earthfriendly
mission, could be the perfect venue for
lovely and sustainable merchandise. She has
always been aware of the disconnect between the
stereotype of ‘environmentalist’ and the actual
people who choose to bear the name, and has
worked to find goods that are not only beautiful,
but also practical. In Earth Alley, you will find
journals made out of recycled paper that are
lined and easy to write on; jewelry made from
recycled computer and sewing machine parts
GENIE SCHWIND, GRI
REALTOR ®
Roland Park
4800 Roland Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21211
Office: (410) 889-9800
Cell: (410) 615-5855
Fax: (410) 889-9815
Email: genie.schwind@longandfoster.com
®
that go with any outfit; and telephone wire bowls
from South Africa boasting amazing colors and
the earthy, warm smell of the leaves they are
packed in for shipping.
A local designer created the logo for Earth
Alley, and Eva chose the name: “earth” for
the environmental connections, and “alley”
because she’s always been able to find good stuff
in alleys—all over the world. There are items
from around the globe in the store, and Eva
knows the stories behind each of her wares. In
pointing out woven handbags from Mexico, for
example, Eva can tell you about the women’s coop
that makes them and explain how important
it is to help people who are employed in
handicrafts stay in business. Her best-selling
items are cards made out of elephant dung. You
might not believe it, and you would never guess
it. (Don’t worry—if your card tastes run a little
more on the conservative side, you can also
find tree-friendly cards that come with various
greetings.) Don’t forget to bring your own bag
when you come—Eva has saved 3,000 plastic
bags since she opened in September 2007.
Stop by 3602 Elm Street to discover what
treasures you can find. If you stop by on the
first Friday of any month, you will be in for a
special treat. On Friday, May 7th, enjoy “mama’s
mojitos” in celebration of Mother’s Day.
Visit Earth Alley online (www.earthalley.com)
and learn more about the causes, missions, and
people you are supporting when you make a
purchase. While you’re online, check out Good
Morning Maryland’s feature on Earth Alley from
April 9th.
Leslie Miller
Branch Manager
821 W. 36th Street, Baltimore, MD 21211
Phone: 410-366-3100 Fax: 410-366-3377
lmiller@patapscobank.com
www.patapscobank.com

6 historic hampden happenings • May 2010
historic hampden happenings • May 2010 7
education committee
April began with Hampden’s schools on Spring
Break. Students returned to school during a short
but intense heat wave that felt more like midsummer
than early spring! Spring is definitely
here: the 3rd quarter is coming to an end and
schools are busy with typical spring activities.
The students at Learning Inc. are preparing
for the annual Presidential Fitness Test with
daily “phys ed.” They are fortunate to have lots
of space for outdoor games and workouts from
football to Frisbee in Hampden’s own Roosevelt
Park, just across the street. Inside Learning Inc.
the staff is using lots of incentives to encourage
students to demonstrate such success-oriented
behaviors as regular school attendance,
following directions and completing their
homework assignments. Naturally, gift cards
or certificates for purchases at Rita’s and other
restaurants are popular rewards, as are the MP3
players they can earn.
Looking forward to the end of the term, Learning
Inc’s Second Portfolio Night will be held on the
last day of school in early June. Portfolio Night
is an “open school” affair for which students will
Schools Keep Busy with Annual Spring Activities
By John Bosley
create posters and other display materials that
describe what they have learned during the year.
The school’s Hampden neighbors are warmly
invited to join parents and school operators for
this celebration of student achievement.
At Hampden’s two charter high schools, spring
also is the season for lots of activity and several
notable events. A Health Fair at ACCE on March
26, just before the eagerly-awaited Spring
Break, went off splendidly. In April, ACCE’s
second annual Blacks in Wax presentation was
scheduled for Friday the 16th, along with several
youth service projects of which a highlight is a
large support group joining in the MS Walk on
April 24th.
On May 13th ACCE students who served
internships in the community as required
by ACCE’s Internship course will report on
their experiences at an Internship Showcase
(10-1pm.) These presentations count toward
the final grade in that class. This event will
be followed (2-4pm) by the Young Audiences
presentations by members of the Extended
Day Program, a program known at ACCE
as their “Eighth Period Class.” These final
presentations by class members include dance,
ceramics, theater, digital film-making, African
drumming and other creative productions and
performances. ACCE cordially invites Hampden
residents to drop by for both these events.
ACCE’s social calendar this term includes a
Sophomore Ball on April 24th, the Junior/Senior
Prom on May 15th, and Senior Graduation on
June 5th, 2010!
We join Independence School’s faculty and staff
in congratulating students Kayla Gosnell, Lisa
Cianferano, Franz Virtudes, Tamara Simms
and Dezmond Brown for their participation
in the Morgan State Science-Mathematics-
Engineering Fair, held at the university on March
20. Kayla, Lisa and Franz received 3rd place
award. Dezmond and Tamara each received an
outstanding achievement award. These student
successes demonstrate that Independence
School’s commitment to preparing graduates
to pursue careers in science, technology,
engineering and math (STEM)—in other words,
21st century careers!
We also applaud Ms. Jocelyn Virtudes, the
school’s 9th grade advisor, for receiving a
scholarship to attend a weeklong seminar at the
Space Academy at the Space and Rocket Center
on the grounds of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight
Center in Huntsville, Alabama. (http://www.
spacecamp.com/adult) Congratulations, Ms. V!
Everyone is very proud of you.
The last day of school for Independence students
is June 16th and students will be released at
12 noon. SENIORS last day is May 21st. Senior
Commencement is May 29th at 1pm at the
Roosevelt Recreation Center. Good luck in the
future, Seniors, and we hope every student has
a great summer vacation!
Independence School Local 1, Hampden’s
charter high school operated by the Baltimore
Teacher Network (BTN), continues to reach out
to the community for new board members. If
you’re interested in learning more about how
joining the BTN board could help the school
serve our community’s families and students
more effectively, Principal Christopher French
at Independence will be glad to provide more
information. You may call Christopher at 410-
467-1090 during school hours. BTN’s website is
http://baltimoreteachernetwork.org
Hampden Elementary/Middle School started
off the spring season with Stanford 10 testing
in grades 1 and 2 from April 12-16, 2010. The
school’s National Academic League (NAL) team
placed 2nd in the citywide Novice Section.
Congratulations to all team members and Coach
Claudia Robinson and Timekeeper Ditas Flores.
The JHU-sponsored Afterschool Science Club
began its 2nd semester with experiments about
pressure and force, including sucking an egg
into a soda bottle. Experiments in physics are
coming next.
We have finalized our 120th Birthday Bash
Celebration. It is to take place all day on
Friday, May 28, 2010. The kick-off begins
with a student focused program with invited
dignitaries at 9:30a.m. Following the program
is our ‘Open School House’ where visitors are
invited to see all that great work that our boys
and girls have done. Beginning at 12 noon,
we are having Student Fun Day with a festival
theme on the playground. Family members
may join their students after dismissal time. All
Hampden students must be accompanied by an
adult after 2:35 p.m. To cater to our adult alumni
over the age of 25, we are hosting an Alumni
Sock-Hop Dance Party from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
in the gymnasium. We are featuring D.J. Kenny
McDaniels, refreshments and the opportunity
to reconnect with old friends.
To keep the memory of this day alive, the
planning team is preparing a Celebration
Booklet. You or your business or organization
may place an advertisement or personal message
in the booklet for a very reasonable cost of $15
(quarter-page) to $50 (full page.) Alumni and
Parents receive a discount and can purchase a
quarter-page space for only $10! We are actively
seeking a select number of vendors to offer their
services and products to our families at the
Student Fun Day. If you are able to help recruit
suitable vendors (games, food and drink, etc.)
contact the school at 410.396.6004.
Hampden is proud to announce that we
have joined with the MD Food Bank to offer
fresh produce and non-perishable items
to the surrounding communities. The first
distribution date is Tuesday, April 20, 2010.
We have enough food to feed 300 families.
Thanks to our School Social Worker, Lillie
Cottingham, as well as the Social Worker
Interns, Gretchen Reif and Dorcas Lyons for
helping to get this wonderful initiative started.
THINKING
OF SELLING?
Let this HAMPDEN RESIDENT
agent assist you with your sale.
Call today for your
free market analysis.
loving living in Hampden since 1999!
Long and Foster Canton
2400 Boston Street Suite 124
Baltimore, Maryland 21224
Joy Sushinsky
410.675.1244 office
443.622.7323 cell
joy.sushinsky@
longandfoster.com
the students, faculty, and staff of hampden
elementary / middle school #55, the school
family council, and the hampden school p.t.o.
request the honor of your presence
when we celebrate our
120 th
friday, the twenty-eighth of may
two thousand ten, nine o’clock am
3608 chestnut avenue
baltimore, maryland 21211
D & J Auto Care, Inc.
1100 West 41st Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21211
Baltimore Magazine’s Best Auto Body 2000, 2002, 2003
Baltimore City Paper’s Best Auto Repair,
Four Years (1998-2001)
GENERAL REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE
Collision Repairs & Suspension and
Four-Wheel Alignment Specialists
r.s.v.p. by may 20, 2010
email: HampdenSchoolis120@yahoo.com
phone: 410.396.6004 (ms. dianne robinson)
Event Schedule
9:30 am: opening ceremony, 11:00 am: open school house
12:00-4:00 pm: kid’s fun day (rain date june 4)
7:00-11:00 pm: adult alumni sock hop
You bend
’em!
We mend
’em!
Call 410-889-6536 (Fax 410-889-4564)

8 historic hampden happenings • May 2010
historic hampden happenings • May 2010 9
Announcements from the Hampden Family Center
By Elisa Ghinger
On June 10, 2010, Hampden Family Center will
celebrate 15 years working in the community!
It is hard to believe it has been that long. Many
people in the community have often asked how
the Family Center began so it is only fitting to
mark this anniversary with a little history.
The Hampden Family Center began as a joint
project of the Greater Hampden Coalition
comprised of the Hampden Community Council,
Hampden Midtown Kiwanis, and Hampden
Village Merchants Association, and the Junior
League of Baltimore, Inc. Members of the
Greater Hampden Coalition were particularly
concerned about children without sufficient
after-school programs and activities and the
high school dropout rate to name a few.
In September 1992, the Greater Hampden
Coalition began working to form a family
support center. The next year the Junior
League of Baltimore, Inc. began researching
neighborhoods throughout Baltimore where they
could launch a major initiative that would impact
a neighborhood in need. In September 1994,
these groups joined forces to form a powerful
partnership. Six months later they signed a lease
for space at 1104 West 36th Street. Volunteers
from the community, Greater Hampden Coalition
and Junior League of Baltimore, Inc., refurbished
the 8,000 square foot facility donating countless
volunteer hours. The Greater Hampden Coalition
generously gave its expertise: professional
support, extensive in-kind services funds and
volunteer hours. The Junior League of Baltimore,
Inc., donated $250,000 over three years and
made a five-year volunteer commitment in
addition to committing volunteer hours to
develop and support the services of the Hampden
Family Center.
On June 10, 1995, the Hampden Family Center
became fully operational, providing services
to any Hampden resident. Join us as we begin
celebrating these 15 years.
Festivities will begin with a celebratory
fundraiser on Saturday, May 8th from 6-10pm
at the Mansion House at the Maryland Zoo
featuring music by The Swingin Swamis, food
by Sascha’s Catering, and libations from The
Wine Source. In addition there will be a silent
and live auction. For more information visit our
website www.hampdenfamilycenter.org or call
410-467-8710.
We will celebrate with cake at the center on June
10th! More details will follow. If you attended
the Mommy & Me Group, after school program,
GED or computer classes or any other program
please stop by we’d love to see you.
A special thank you to everyone for the support
the Family Center has received these past 15
years. We could not have done it without you.
Hampdenfest is offering a 10% discount for
any HCC members that would like to have a
booth this year. Hampdenfest will take place
on 9/11/10. Email hampdenfest@gmail.com
for an exhibit application.
7pm
7pm
MAY 25
7pm
JUNE 29
JULY 27
6pm
7pm
AUGUST 31
SEPTEMBER 28
6pm
OCTOBER 26
AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING IN THE HEART OF HAMPDEN
If you or a loved one are looking for
affordable housing for seniors (62+),
St. Mary’s Roland View Towers
at 3838 Roland Avenue offers efficiency,
1-bedroom and 2-bedroom apartments.
Reasonable Prices: from $433 to $728 - utilities included!
Convenient to Giant, Superfresh, RiteAid and area shops.
GRAND-VIEW Restaurant on the roof.
Call 410-889-8255 for information.
SAVE THE DATES!
TUESDAY IS THE NEW FRIDAY!
join your friends and neighbors for a little light street cleaning on
the last tuesday evening of each month followed by happy hour
specials sponsored by our local watering holes. meet us in front of
the royal farms on the corner of 36th & roland to join in the fun!

10 historic hampden happenings • May 2010
historic hampden happenings • May 2010 11
The Best Kept Secret from Seniors: St. Mary’s Outreach Center
By Fran Brown
On a cold January day, senior citizens gather
at St. Mary’s Outreach Center at 3900 Roland
Avenue to learn if they qualify for food stamps.
Sandra Simmons, executive director, had
arranged for representatives from the Maryland
Food Bank to come to the Hampden location to
make it easier for neighborhood senior citizens,
something that Sandy, as she is known, spends
most of her time doing: making lives easier,
warmer, healthier for seniors in the Hampden
neighborhood and surrounding communities.
Among those waiting, a group of women form a
small circle and share stories of frustrating visits
to agencies and perplexing paperwork. Diane
explains that many seniors aren’t able to take the
two or three buses or afford the cab that could
take them to social services. So Sandy makes the
calls, follows through on the details, fills out the
paperwork with them, and assures the paperwork
is mailed. “Sandy is marvelous,” offers a man
waiting with his wife. He has learned only
recently of Sandy and St. Mary’s Outreach Center,
and she helped the couple apply for the Qualified
Medicare Beneficiary program.
Sandy’s passion and dedication to serving
seniors stems from her own experience taking
care of elderly parents. Finding assistance was
difficult; where and how to apply more difficult.
She found the system frustrating. When her
parents died, Sandy launched her career serving
seniors as an assistant director of a fairly large
senior center in Baltimore. Her journey carried
her to St. Mary’s Outreach Center where she has
served thousands of citizens: 4,913 in 2009.
Over the past two years, the outreach center
has returned almost $800,000.00 to the
community. Some of the areas include
$118,190.00 for energy assistance; Medicare
ABC/supplemental, $1,378; Medicare D/SPDAP
and extra help, $114,543; renters/homeowners
tax credit, $100,000; water bills, $9,424.
The outreach center is housed in the church
building that was formerly St. Mary’s Episcopal
Church. In partnership with AIM (Action in
Maturity) the Resource and Referral Service
at the Outreach Center provides free and
confidential services to men and women (ages
62+) who are in need of assistance. Sandy’s
goal is to spread the word that friendly, caring
people provide help with energy bills counseling
services, legal aid, prescriptions and drug
coverage, eviction notices, food pantries,
Medicare/Medicaid, benefit packages, taxes
and tax related issues, homeowners’/renters’
tax credits, access to housing, transportation.
Mary is among the small circle of women waiting
and hoping to qualify for food stamps. If she
qualifies, she many not have to decide between
food and heat. “St. Mary’s is a blessing for the
seniors of Hampden,” Mary says quietly.
The Episcopal Diocese of Maryland (www.ang-md.org)
is a Christian community of 22,000 households in 117
congregations covering 10 counties and Baltimore City.
The Episcopal Church is a community of 2.4 million
members in 100 nationwide dioceses, 10 overseas
dioceses and six extra-provincial territories; (www.
episcopalchurch.org). The Anglican Communion (www.
anglicancommunion.org) is a global community of 77
million Anglicans in 38 member churches/provinces,
including The Episcopal Church.
Dimitri’s Tavern
Dimitri’s Tavern
3820 Falls Road
Baltimore 21211
Call 410-889-9545
“Where Good Friends Meet”
Since 1973
• Friendly tavern
atmosphere!
• Voted No. 1
karaoke bar in
Baltimore by the
City Paper
• Package goods
• Open seven days
THE SMITH GROUP
Selling in Hampden for 26+ years!
Over 10 homes listed in your community in 2009!
Call today for a FREE Market Analysis
on the value of your home or
for information on our current listings!
Alex Smith, Paul DiBari & Leslie Zink
Direct: 410-616-1741
Alex: 410-446-1180
Paul: 443-610-8633
Office: 410-823-2323
Visit us online at
MySmithGroup.com!
®
38 Years of Experience
Ricky LaRicci
Home Services Roofing
Hot Asphalt & Rubber Roofs / All Types of Roof Repairs
Gutters & Downspouts
Also: New Decks
Painting & Drywall
Siding & Replacement Windows
MHIC No. 98703
Reliable Service
Free Estimates
Phone: 410-404-0162

BE HEARD
JOIN NOW
IF YOU’RE INTERESTED IN THE FUTURE OF HAMPDEN, please consider joining the
Hampden Community Council. The HCC is a voice for everyone in
Hampden–homeowners, businesses, teenagers, seniors, new-comers
and old-timers. The more members we have the farther your voice can
reach. Your membership fee supports our newsletter and improves our
community through education, clean & green and zoning committees,
to name a few. Help Hampden continue to thrive. BE HEARD, JOIN NOW!
Hampden Community Council SERVING THE COMMUNITY SINCE 1976 Baltimore, Maryland
HCC MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION
Name(s)
Street Address Zip
Phone Fax Email
Business Name (if registering for a business membership)
In addition to my HCC membership, I would like to serve on/learn about the following committee(s): (OPTIONAL)
Zoning
Religious Outreach
Membership
Education
Hampden Home Office
Newsletter Distribution
Clean & Green
Fund Raising
Please fill out this application and mail it, along with your check to:
Hampden Community Council
ATTN: MEMBERSHIP
PO Box 19957
Baltimore, MD 21211
Individual ($10)
Family ($15) Business ($25) $ Additional Donation
Add a one year mailed subscription to my membership for an additional $25!
Newsletter will be mailed to the address listed above, unless otherwise noted.
Please make checks payable to Hampden Community Council.
The HCC is a non-profit 501(c)3 Organization. All dues and additional donations are 100% tax deductible.
street trees for hampden
The Clean & Green Team of the Hampden Community Council wants to help you get a tree in front
of your home! We are working with organizations that provide technical assistance and funding for
community greening projects. We have planted many street trees in Hampden since 2005 and want to
plant more!
We still need to hear from as many residents as possible who would like to have a tree, so that we can
organize future plantings. Fill out the form below if you would like to be on the list for a tree, and ask
your neighbors to sign up, too! Trees are not guaranteed to everyne who applies...your site must first
be inspected by Miss Uility to ensure you have a safe and proper space for a tree.
Note: If you are a renter, your landlord must sign the tree request form.
street tree request form
I, the undersigned, agree to help create a tree pit (if needed), plant, water, mulch, and maintain my
neighborhood Street Tree. I understand that some locations may not be suitable for Street Trees due
to utilities, signs, handicap ramps, or width of sidewalk. The Forestry Division of the Baltimore City
Department of Recreation & Parks shall make final determinations of suitable Street Tree locations
and species. The Street Trees, once planted, will be the property of the City of Baltimore in
accordance with City Code 1879, Article 47.
Do you have an exiting Tree Pit? Yes No
Name ________________________________________________________
Street Address _________________________________________________
Phone _________________________ Email__________________________
Signature_______________________________ Date _____/______/_____
Mail to: Street Trees for Hampden, PO Box 19957, Baltimore, MD 21211
or email to SustainableHampden@gmail.com