Hello all,

I am sure everyone is weary from shoveling snow and many have yet to see a plow or get their vehicles free.

The city (and I) am asking for everyone to work together wherever possible to shovel your walks, alleys and free your vehicles. I know on my block yesterday, a large group of residents worked together to free vehicles, shovel walks for elderly neighbors, and yes, even clear some sections of the street.

The city is focusing on the primary routes first (such as Key Highway, Light Street, Fort Ave) then secondary roads (like Randall, Jackson, Clement) finally they will get to smaller side streets that may be one way and very narrow as they will have to bring smaller equipment in. If you live on one of these streets, please email ragsobo@yahoo.com to let us know if you have yet to see a plow. We have notified the city of many but its best to be sure.

The city is also asking residents to help shovel out bus stops and storm drains if possible. So, if you have extra energy, please do so.

There is more snow in the forcast, so also keep an eye on any roof areas that may need to be cleared if you can SAFELY do so.

Finally, we are all in this together, so remember that many of your fellow neighbors are having the same challenges with access and parking as you are so remember to take it in stride as best you can. Hopefully Spring comes early...

Brad Slater
President
RNA

Due to heavy snowfall resulting in many inaccessible streets and alleys, scheduled Bulk Trash Collection is CANCELLED for the week of February 8 (Monday 2/8 through Friday 2/12). Bulk Collections will be rescheduled and Citizens will be contacted by Solid Waste with their new collection date.

We ask that Citizens tune in to local news for updates on impacts to trash and recycling collections and urge citizens, as always, to properly contain trash in cans with tight-fitting lids, to keep rats out and to keep litter in its place.

We thank Citizens for their patience as we work together to tackle this weather emergency and insure delivery of essential services.

Mayor Rawlings-Blake Reminds Citizens of Responsibilities

In the days following the storm, residents are responsible for clearing snow from walks, vehicles.

BALTIMORE, MD. (February 6, 2010) – As the last of the snow falls on the city, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake reminded residents of their responsibility to begin clearing snow from their residences. In the coming days, it will be important for people to clear snow from footpaths, vents and inlets to facilitate the city’s speedy recovery from this historic winter storm.

As of 5:00 p.m. today, anywhere from 25 to 30 inches of snow have fallen on the city. The city remains in Phase II of its Snow Emergency Plan. People should not drive unless it is absolutely important, and cars cannot be parked on Snow Emergency Routes. The Mayor asked residents and businesses to be patient while city crews work to make secondary roadways passable and safe. The City's Snow Team has an enormous task of removing more than 2 feet of wet, heavy snow and is working diligently to make Baltimore ’s roadways safe for travel.

“From clearing the primary and secondary roads to answering emergency calls, the City is doing its part,” said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. “Now it is time for the people of Baltimore to work together.”

The Mayor listed responsibilities of Baltimore residents:

· Continue to stay off the roads to make room for snow plows.

· Neighbors should work together to clear snow from around fire hydrants. Significant snowfalls like the one this weekend create drifts that make hydrants difficult to find and will put communities at risk.

· All snow and ice should be removed from the entire width of public sidewalks in both residential and business areas. There is an ordinance regarding snow removal that identifies the responsibilities of citizens in removing snow from sidewalks, resulting in fines up to $50. Property owners are reminded that snow removal is required within 24 - 48 hours after the end of a snow, ice, or wind event.

· All snow and ice must be removed from a vehicle before operating;

· Do not throw snow into the street when clearing off vehicles and sidewalks, keeping snow as close to the curb as possible;

· Storm drains and inlets must also be cleared of snow and ice. Keeping them clear allows melting snow to flow away, preventing the flooding of intersections and basements.

Tues., Feb. 16, 4:00-7:00 PM, Salem Lutheran, 1530 Battery at E. Randall on Riverside Park (410-576-0487). For menu and more, check us out on the web, www@salemsouthbaltimore.org

Hello all,

The next RNA monthly meeting will be Monday, January 25th at 7pm at Salem Lutheran, our usual spot.

Speakers:
Mark Shapiro and AB Associates will present their revised plans for the Walgreens/Mixed use development at the current Main Steel site (on the corner of Lawrence & Key)

James McCall from the Baltimore City Health Department will speak about rodent and disease issues and how to protect against them.

Of course, we will have our usual committee updates.

Hope to see you there. Bring a neighbor.

RNA will be participating in the city-wide crime walk night on Wed Jan 13th. The walk will be at 7pm. Meet as usual at the Riverside Park gazebo.

This is a special walk (in addition to our normal ones at the beginning of the month) to galvanize efforts to reduce crime in our neighborhood, but also in the city overall.

Please join us for this walk!

CHRISTMAS TREE PICKUP AND MULCHING
DPW will provide Christmas tree mulching every Saturday during the month of January 2010, at the Citizen Drop-off Center, 701 Reedbird Avenue from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Residents should bring their own bags or containers if they want to bring back mulch for their own use. While supplies last, community groups are encouraged to come by during this time to also bag up free mulch for neighborhood gardens.

For residents who cannot bring their trees for mulching, the Bureau of Solid Waste will offer curbside tree collection from Tuesday, January 5, 2010 through Friday, January 29, 2010. Residents should set out trees on their trash collection day at the location where their trash is picked up. All tinsel and ornaments should be removed from the trees before they are set out for curbside collection or mulching.

For additional information, please call 311.

Hello all,

Just a reminder that we will hold our combined Nov/Dec meeting on Monday, December 14th at 7pm at Salem Lutheran Church.

Councilman Reisinger will be there to give us an update of things going on in the district and City Council.

Hope to see you there, please spread the word to your neighbors.

Moonlight Madness returns! It's Federal Hill's annual HOLIDAY SHOPPING EXTRAVAGANZA!

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11, 8 TO MIDNIGHT

Come Early, Stay Late

25+ shops participating. Strolling carolers. Free Gift Wrapping @ Federal Hill Main Street.

Info: 410-727-4500

Our next crime walk will be Monday, December 7th at 7pm. Meet at the Riverside Park gazebo.

WE ALWAYS WALK WITH A POLICE OFFICER!
but we must have at least 5 community members from the scheduled
neighborhood or the walk will be canceled and the officer/s sent back "in-service".

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY
WINTER- If the Baltimore City Schools are closed or closing early or if it is
32 degrees or below at 6:00 PM the scheduled walk is cancelled.
RAIN - If it is raining at 6:00 PM the walk is cancelled.

DOG POLICY - Well behaved dogs are welcome. Owners are responsible for the behavior of their pet and must clean-up after them.

Upcoming Walks:
Monday, 1/4
Monday, 2/1
Monday, 3/1
Monday, 4/5