Clarion Newsletter May 2016

MVBA Newsletters Will No Longer Be Sent by Mail

Just a reminder that due to the cost and time it takes to print, post and mail newsletters, MVBA will only be sending the newsletter out electronically beginning with the May edition.  Please send you email address to secretary@mvba.org if you would like us to add you to our email list.  You will also be able to access the newsletter on the MVBA Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MVBA1938/ and on the MVBA website at mvba.org.

In addition, MVBA will be leaving printed copies of the newsletter in various restaurants, cafes, and businesses throughout Mount Vernon that you are welcome to pick up.

Board of Directors’ Position on the Proposed Addition to the Brexton Hotel

In regard to the proposed addition at the Brexton Hotel, which was discussed at last month’s general body meeting, the MVBA Board of Directors passed the following motion at our May Board Meeting:

The MVBA will not support the Brexton Hotel project presented at the April 2016 MVBA General Membership meeting, as proposed.

The project, as proposed, could do to harm to Tyson Street, a unique and irreplaceable environment that contributes to Mount Vernon’s historic status and overall civic value. The Board appreciates the Brexton Hotel’s overall contribution to our vibrant mixed-use neighborhood and their efforts on this project to date. The Board believes that expansion, including a restaurant and meeting spaces, could be great assets to the neighborhood. The Board looks forward to working with the community and the Brexton Hotel to realize these assets while preserving the Tyson Street environment.

The Drinkery

As was discussed at last month’s general body meeting, the MVBA is standing in unison with the residents who live around The Drinkery in protesting the renewal of this establishment’s liquor license. It has become well known that this establishment’s patrons regularly are disorderly and disruptive as they leave the premises; that crowds of people loiter on the sidewalk and street outside the premises, often late into the night; that the police are called an inordinate amount of time to respond to incidents arising in and outside of the bar; and that many residents of the surrounding community are fearful to walk by or near this establishment during its more raucous hours of operation.

On May 19th, at 11:30 AM there is a Protest of Renewal Hearing in front of the City’s Liquor Board to contest the reissuing of this bar’s liquor license. If you are in support of the efforts to protest the renewal of this bar’s liquor license, please join us at the Liquor Board Hearing to show your support. We will be meeting at 100 Holliday Street, outside of room 215 and 11:00 AM, on Thursday May 19th.

Baltimore Pride: Discount for Local Business Wanting to be Vendors.

Baltimore Pride will be the weekend of July 23rd and 24th, with the annual parade and block party happening here in Mount Vernon on the 23rd.

Vendor spaces are still available for rent and we would love to encourage more local businesses to take part. To that end, we have negotiated with the organizers of pride a discount for local business who wish to participate. If you are interested, please email Brian Levy at President@mvba.org asap as spaces are limited and deadlines fast approaching.

Tree Planting  & Tree Fundraiser

Tree Fundraiser at Tavern on the Hill, Thursday, 5/26 – 6 – 9 p.m.

We’ll be holding our next tree fundraiser at Tavern on the Hill on Thursday 5/26 from 6 to 9 p.m.  Join us for drink specials, guest bartenders, and specialty cocktails, with Tavern on the Hill generously donating a portion of sales to support MVBA Trees.

Save the Date – Planting & Maintenance Event, Saturday 6/4 – 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Our final tree planting and maintenance event of spring 2016 will be on Saturday, 6/4, running from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Save the date to join us then!

Spring Cleaning Garage Sale at Hotel Indigo to Benefit the Dog Park  

It’s time to de-clutter! The Hotel Indigo is hosting a “Garage Sale” in the underground garage and the booth rental proceeds will be donated to the dog park for ongoing maintenance. The sale will take place on Saturday, June 18th from 9:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Parking space rental (booths) is as follows: $50 for for-profit organizations & $40 for non-profit organizations and individuals. Rental includes one parking space per vendor and tables will not be provided.

Everyone please come out on June 18th to find new treasures or make some money selling your old treasures.  To rent a space in the Hotel Indigo’s garage please contact jason.curtis@hotelindigobaltimore.com.

Howards Park Dog Run is located at Howard and Center Street. This collaborative effort between the Seton Hill and Mount Vernon-Belvedere Association  is scheduled to open early summer

Join Us at West Madison Craft Beer and Wine Bar for MVBA’s Tippler Thursdays Community Happy Hour

Join your neighbors for Mount Vernon’s second Tippler Thursdays event at West Madison Craft Beer and Wine Bar!  Festivities begin at 5:00 p.m. on May 19th — the third Thursday of the month.  http://www.311westmadison.com

The revamped neighborhood hangout at 311 West Madison, features upscale bar fare, rotating cask-conditioned ales, and a wide variety of local beer and wine.  The bar has 16 taps, its own growler filling station, and upwards of 40 local wines and 50 local beers, including varieties from Jailbreak, Union, and Dogfish Head breweries.

Inspired by the London bar scene, the 90-seat interior (which just so happens to feature its own iconic red telephone box) boasts traditional tables as well as multiple bar and lounge areas for diners in search of a more casual experience.

MVBA will be organizing a monthly Tippler Thursday at a different venue on the third Thursday of each month.  Please visit mvba.org or our Facebook page facebook.com/MVBA1938/  to get updates on Mount Vernon’s monthly Tippler Thursdays events.

New Trash Cans

As stated on the Baltimore City Public Works website, “Baltimore City is providing one free 65-gallon trash can to every residential address that currently receives trash collection service by the City.  Using these cans will help keep our neighborhoods and waterways clean, reduce the rodent population, reduce strain on our workers, and make trash collection more efficient.   Hang tags will be posted at each property in the weeks prior to delivery.  A neighborhood delivery schedule will be posted at publicworks.baltimorecity.gov and updated regularly.  Please begin using your can as soon as it arrives.  Your collection day and pickup location will remain the same.”

More information about this effort as well as an informational video is available at  publicworks.baltimorecity.gov.  If you have any questions regarding this effort, please feel free to send a message to Michele Richter at vicepresident@mvba.org.

And just a reminder about trash pickup Hours:

Recycling: Tuesdays, 10am to noon

Trash, in a covered can: Fridays, 10am to noon.

If you do have a sanitation issue, please report it to 311 via phone,  online or by using the 311 app. You can do this anonymously, and can copy the report number with the address to  vicepresident@mvba.org.  If we do not call, the city will never know there is a problem!

Would You Like a Community Garden?

Members of the community have expressed interest in having a community garden.  Community gardens can be a beneficial addition to a community by increasing the availability of nutritious foods, strengthening community ties, reducing environmental hazards, reducing food miles and creating a more sustainable system.

If you would be interested in joining the exploratory committee to create a neighborhood garden, please contact Brian Levy at president@mvba.org

Baltimore City Farmers’ Market & Bazaar 

Maryland’s largest producers-only market offers an assortment of produce, meats, dairy, breads, flowers, collectibles and crafts on Sundays between April 17, 2016 and December 18, 2016 from 7am to sell out (typically noon).  Many Sundays also feature live music performances and cooking demonstrations.

Upcoming cooking demonstrations include the chefs of the new Baltimore salad stop Sweetgreen on Sunday, May 22. Ben Lefenfeld, mastermind chef of La Cuchara, demonstrates the ease of Spanish cuisine on Sunday, May 29.

Demos are held near the Saratoga Street entrance.  Market goers are encouraged to stop by and pick up helpful cooking tips, recipes and delicious samples. Stay tuned for more cooking demonstrations throughout the season.

The market is located below the Jones Falls Expressway at Holliday & Saratoga streets.  For more information visit promotionandarts.org/events-festivals/baltimore-farmers-market-bazaar.

New Cafe and Bar The Room Is Now Open!

The Room has opened at 800 St. Paul St., a space at the corner of Madison Street that’s a step down from street level.  Make sure to stop in for a bite to eat and a local beer, glass of wine or cup of coffee.

The cafe is sourcing its breads and pastries from Stone Mill Bakery and plans on using local cheeses, among other local ingredients.

The cafe has a cool vibe and seats about 36 between tables, bar stools and lounge-style couches in the back.

Andre Mazelin, formerly operations director of the Creative Alliance, owns The Room. The Mount Vernon resident has tentatively planned for a grand opening on May 18.

After the official launch, The Room will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays. The cafe will be closed on Sundays and Mondays.

Magdalena at the Ivy Hotel

Magdalena, a fine-dining bistro, is both informal and thrilling, a culinary jewel of Baltimore. The cross-cultural menu is built upon the finest local ingredients, and changes with the seasons and the inspiration of the chef. Now offering pre-theater menu Tuesday-Thursday 5:30-6:30, 2 courses for $39 and 3 courses for $49 – And Super Tuesday, where bottles of wine are 50% off.

Five different dining spaces and Magdalena’s top-notch service create a five-star experience for guests. The comfortable, elegant main dining room looks out to the walled garden; the bar offers adventurous cocktails, craft beers and the finest malt whiskeys; the Wine Cellar is a chic and seductive retreat for special evenings; the Treasury is intimate and refined. Offering Complimentary Valet Service

For information go to www.magdalenarestaurant.com or call 410.514.6500

Spirits of Mount Vernon

Have you stopped into Spirits of Mount Vernon recently?  Spirits is our neighborhood wine shop where you can find everything for your daily and special occasion needs.  Spirits has a fine selection of wine, beer and liquor from all over the US, Europe and the New World.

Spirits also sells wine and beer by the glass daily if you just want to stop in and mingle with your neighbors, say hi to the shops “Mascot” Bear, the wine dog, or have Vicky Schassler, the always helpful and charming proprietress, help you select a bottle of wine.

Every Friday there are complimentary wine tastings starting at 5:00 and every Tuesday receive 10% off your purchase.

Join a Committee, Meet Your Neighbors and Improve Our Neighborhood!

The Community Service and Engagement Committee meets every other Sunday at 218 E. Preston Street.  Please call Matt for entry and for more information at (914) 602-8584 and contact him at corrsecretary@mvba.org for more information.

The Membership Committee meets at Spirits of Mount Vernon on the second Wednesday of every month at 6:30 pm.  Contact Julie Canard for more information at membership@mvba.org.

The Development Committee meets on the first Monday of every month at 6:00 pm.  Contact Lance Decker at development@mvba.org.

For the Clean & Beautiful Committee please contact Michele Richter at vicepresident@mvba.org.

For the Green Committee/Trees contact  Andy Smith at trees@mvba.org.

For the Dog Park Committee contact Samantha Braun or Geoffrey Hart at dogpark@mvba.org.

The Safety Committee meets on the 1st Tuesday of every month at 6:00 pm at Spirits of Mount Vernon.   Contact Jason Curtis at safety@mvba.org for more information.

Mount Vernon Place Conservancy

The Mount Vernon Place Conservancy offers free weekly yoga at the Belvedere Condominiums every Saturday beginning at 8:15.

The Conservancy has also launched a Monumental Memories campaign to capture new and old memories about the Monument for inclusion in a Bicentennial time capsule. Enter your memory online on the Conservancy’s website. Those online are both fun and at many turns inspiring: mvpconservancy.org/enter-your-memory/.

Elections schedule

2016 General Presidential / Mayoral Election
Deadline for Voter Registration: October 18, 2016 at 9:00 PM
Early Voting Dates: October 27-Nov. 3, 2016
Hours: 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM
General Election Day: November 8, 2016
Hours: 7:00 AM- 8:00 PM

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