Holiday Tree Lighting

Make plans to be at the Octagon Building on the Mt. Washington Campus of Johns Hopkins for the Annual Holiday Tree Lighting on November 19 at 5:30PM. If you've never visited this beautiful Mt. Washington landmark, the building itself is enough of a treat to justify coming.... not to mention the cookies and warm drinks provided by our friends at Hopkins. Sing Holiday Songs (words provided) visit with neighbors and see the biggest, brightest tree in the neighborhood light up!!! It's big fun for all ages. If you've never been attended, this is one neighborhood tradition not to be missed.......

Holiday Festivities in Mt.Washington Village

Sunday, December 10th

Come shop and eat in the Village
from 11:30AM - 5PM

Enjoy a complimentary carriage ride
around the Village (noon-4pm)

Have a cup of coffee or hot chocolate
from the Daily Grind on us

There will be cookies

and candy canes for all
Enter a free drawing to win a 21 speed
boy’s or girl’s bike
from Mt.Washington Bike Shop

Western Run Greenway Meeting Tonight--Be There

MEETING CANCELLED DUE TO FLOODING


From MWIA Pres Mac Nachlas:

Reminder- The City Department of Rec and Parks will host a meeting tonight at the Cross Country Elementary School, 7PM, to outline their final proposals for the Western Run Greenway. Information on the Greenway Proposal can be found at

http://www.baltimorecity.gov/government/planning/images/WesternRunGreenwayStudy.pdf

I hope to see a big Mount Washington turnout on this important project for our neighborhood. Please bring a neighbor.

Thanks.
Mac

Slots Debate Update

The slots debate appears to be alive and well, but rumors of its un-demise have been greatly exaggerated.

We had Governor-elect O'Malley make an offhand remark on AM radio--basically a reiteration of his campaign position in favor of "limited slots." The Washington Post went wild with this, calling El Numero Uno slot-head Senate President Mike Miller who did what he always does and predicted that slots would pass easily.

Not so fast, Mikey.

Let's look at this realistically. Mike Busch is still the man in the House and he says his position hasn't changed one bit (article). This means that passing a slots bill is going to be long and bloody process, at best.

Next, let's remember that the defeat of Bob Ehrlich means that Republicans in Annapolis are free to get back to their family values agenda that has historically included staunch opposition to slots. It was only 11 years ago that the entire House Republican Caucus stood together and declared their opposition to expanded gambling. Without the bare-knuckles pressure of Ehrlich, their support for slots may be gone.

Further, if I'm Martin O'Malley, I want to move forward and establish a record of accomplishment, not argument. What do we know about gambling proponents? They lose elections. Ask slots backers Paula Hollinger, John Gianetti, Don Schaefer, and Bob Ehrlich. Slots is a proven political graveyard. Does O'Malley want to join these dead soldiers, or would he prefer to follow in the footsteps of slots opponents who won re-election or bettered their positions: Anthony Brown, Peter Franchot, and Mike Busch all come to mind.

And where has all of this left our pal Mike Miller? Yesterday he announced that he will not seek another term. Slots wear you down, Mike?

My prediction is that we are done with slots in Maryland for quite a long time to come.

And you can see me make these brilliant points and others on Maryland Public Television's State Circle on Friday night at 7:30.

Leaf Collection

Fall has fallen and soon so will leaves

Baltimore City Leaf Collection begins Saturday,
October 1, 2005

Public Works Director George L. Winfield announced today that beginning Saturday, October 1st, City sanitation crews will start picking up bagged leaves on the second trash collection day of the week for Baltimore residents. These collections will continue through January 31, 2006 .

Citizens may also drop off their bagged leaves, Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at three locations: the Solid Waste yards at 6101 Bowleys Lane, 2840 Sisson Street and 701 Reedbird Avenue.

Public Works will begin Sunday leaf collections in heavily wooded communities from November 13th through December 18th. Residents are reminded to:

• Use clear or labeled bags.
• Do not blow leaves or place bagged leaves in the public right-of-way (violators will be cited)..
• Do not rake leaves into the gutter (violators will be cited).
• There will be no vacuuming or street sweeping of leaves by Solid Waste this season.

Universal Playground Meeting

Notes from Mac:

A group of neighbors met yesterday at the Pediatric Hospital to discuss the proposed "Universal Playground" and the extension of the Jones Falls Trail through the Hospital grounds. Thanks to bad weather and a surprisingly close Ravens game, the turnout was low.

The propsal calls for the construction of two playgrounds, one for tots and one for 5-12 year olds. The playgrounds would be built in the woods near the hospital with access from the hospital grounds and will be fully wheelchair accessable. The hospital would expand it's parking by 9-12 spaces to accomodate playground users and would monitor the playgrounds with it's security staff (in person and using cameras). The playground would close at dark.

The Jones Falls Trail would be extended to run up Rogers Ave. from Northern Parkway to the playground and then would loop the hosptial grounds before ending in the Village. This would be a 6'-8' wide path that might require a slight narrowing of Rogers as it comes off Northern Parkway. The path through the woods would be 8'wide. The entire project could be funded by Federal grants and would serve both the hospital and the public. It was made clear that the two projects are connected and that the funding for the playground is dependent on approval of the trail.

There was wide discussion of the pros and cons. The project would provide new playgrounds for the neighborhood, improve interaction between the local neighbors and the hospital population, and secure the hosptials woods from any other development. On the other hand, it would put a hike/bike trail through a part of the neighborhood which is currently impassable.

It was agreed that the next step would be to put together an information package that describes the proposal, process, pros and cons for consideration by the neighbors in preperation for a public meeting. There is some time pressure due to the grant submission deadlines, but all present agreed that carefull deliberation is called for. I'll post the proposed map as soon as I get it. Please feel free to send me questions.

It was agreed that the next step would be to put together an information package that describes the proposal, process, pros and cons for consideration by the neighbors in preperation for a public meeting. There is some time pressure due to the grant submission deadlines, but all present agreed that carefull deliberation is called for.

I'll post the proposed map as soon as I get it. Please feel free to send me questions.

Mac

Yet Another Greenway Meeting

From MWIA President Mac Nachlas:

The City will hold a meeting on the Western Run Greenway this Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006 at the Cross Country Elementary School at 7 P.M.

They will be presenting their final proposed options for the Greenway. This will be the last informational meeting before the community is asked to vote on the options. You can view their final report at http://www.baltimorecity.gov/government/planning/images/WesternRunGreenwayStudy.pdf

Personally, I think this is a great opportunity for the community to get some much needed walkways and a safe way to get from the firehouse to the village on foot. I hope everyone will look at these designs and try to attend the meeting on Thursday.

Mac

Ehrlich Concedes

It's over. The Sun reports that Ehrlich has called O'Malley to concede.

We did it, YOU did it.

I have to say that I am pretty much thrilled with the way things worked out yesterday. I'm sure you are too. We knew it was going to be tight, but the Dems really drove a massive and well-oiled Get-Out-the-Vote effort. Maggie MacIntosh did a great job and deserves credit for organizing it.

Thanks to everyone who worked toward this victory, and thank you for getting to the polls to vote for a change. This election brings with it a ton of implications for the state, for the city, and for Mt. Washington. Over the coming days I will put up some of my thoughts on this. Feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think, as well.

Early Report

I voted at the Shrine of the Sacred Heart at 11am. The machine count was 550, which is a very decent turnout. Poll workers said that there had been lines from 7am on.

A good sign.

And I heard that the Ehrlich campaign sent out an email saying that turnout in their base areas was weak. Could be fake, could be real. Hard to say.

Update: I just got a similar email from the O'Malley campaign.

Focus your mind on this image as you vote...

Ballot Questions

I have gotten a couple of calls from people who wanted me to tell them how to vote on all of the ballot questions. So I asked somebody really smart. My wife. She says vote for all of them.

Aside from bond issues, there is a question about creating oversight to make sure that the Governor doesn't sell public lands to his golfing buddies. That's a good thing, especially if Governor Haircut happens to win tomorrow. Another question had to do with not having jury trials for civil cases involving less than $10,000. Hey, I've been called for jury duty about a million times. I can live with that.

But I'm not an expert on all of this stuff. Surf over to the League of Women Voters and check out their SUMMARY of the questions. Make up your own mind. But please, post your conclusions as comments here so that we can all benefit from your thinking.

Are you going to be regretful on Wednesday morning?

Remember four years ago? I voted, then stayed at home and watched KKT lose to Bob Ehrlich by two lousy points. TWO POINTS! But what had I done to help? Well, let's see... I complained. I BS'd with neighbors. I told my co-workers how bad Ehrlich was. And what did all that mean to the outcome of that race? Somewhere in the neighborhood of ZERO.

Since then I have learned a huge lesson in the power of one person taking action.

The current races are tighter than chrome on a bumper. This whole thing could be decided by a handful of votes. That means that YOU (YES, YOU) can make a difference in the direction of our state and our country for the next four years. Howard Dean says that if you vote, that earns you the grade of "D" in democracy. It's not enough. A "D" isn't going to cut it.

If you want a better grade, YOU MUST GET INVOLVED. And here is how:

The Maryland Democratic Party needs your help with Get Out The Vote TOMORROW. This is what I need you to do RIGHT NOW. Call Erin at 443-386-7210 and she will put you to work anytime you want from 7AM to 8PM.

Do it NOW. Don't wait until Wednesday morning. Again.

Final Poll Shows O'Malley and Cardin Pulling Away...a little

SurveyUSA, who had Franchot dead even with Owens the day before the primary, has a new poll out today:

O'Malley 50%
Ehrlich 47%
Boyd 1%
Undecided 2%

Cardin 49%
Steele 46%
Zeese 3%
Undecided 2%

This is still way too close for comfort. Please get out there and vote. Link HERE.

And you think you hate the Examiner...

Check out this Sun article.

Saying he cannot get The Examiner to stop throwing unwanted papers in his driveway each morning, a Baltimore lawyer has asked the Baltimore County Circuit Court for a temporary restraining order to force an end to the deliveries.

"They're trespassing, technically," said Joel L. Levin, referring to the carriers who deliver the papers in his Pikesville neighborhood. Almost a month ago, he said, he began calling the paper's circulation department to have them stopped, but they keep coming.

Pediatric Hospital Playground Meeting

COMMUNITY MEETING:Mount Washington Pediatric Hospital
"Universal Playground"* Proposal
*Sunday November 12
*4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
*At the Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital,
1708 W. Rogers Ave.
All are welcome. Please pass the word to friends and neighbors.* A "Universal Playground" is one which is designed to be accessible to all children, including those with disabilities.

Complex Answers to Simple Questions

How about something a bit off topic, thanks to NPR:

Arggh, Why Does the Shower Curtain Attack Me?

All Things Considered, November 4, 2006 · It strikes when we're cold, tired, naked. We may try to dodge it -- but we're cornered.

The shower curtain. Why does it bow inward when we turn on the faucet? NPR's Joe Palca investigates from the scene of the crime: his bathroom. He talks with engineer Liz Marshall from Fluent, Inc., in New Hampshire, a company investigating the curtain effect.

Marshall says there are three explanations. But the simplest, she says, is full of hot air.
Traditional thinking went like this: the hot spray heats the air around it. As the hot air rises, it pulls cooler air into the shower from outside. With that cooler air comes the shower curtain. But this theory is lacking, Marshall says, because it overlooks one important fact. The curtain does the same thing in a cold shower.

Scientists have since turned to the "Bernoulli Effect," which states that when fluids accelerate, the pressure around them drops. So when we turn on the shower, the spray is surrounded by lower air pressure. The pressure outside the shower curtain stays roughly the same. That difference in pressure on either side of the curtain makes it bow in.

That theory held until about five years ago, Marshall says. Then David Schmidt, an engineer at the University of Massachusetts, simulated the shower scene on his computer. His model predicts that when the shower sprays, the air inside the shower becomes a kind of spinning vortex. The pressure at the center of this vortex is very low, as it is at the eye of a hurricane. And that low pressure, Schmidt says, could be what sucks the shower curtain in.

Marshall hopes that further modeling and field studies will settle this steaming hot question.

Get Serious about the Election

The Sun published their most recent POLL today, and it ain't pretty. According to their numbers, Martin O'Malley leads by a SINGLE POINT. This is way to close for comfort, and it really stresses the importance of the role that YOU can play in this election.

It is not enough to complain. Howard Dean has said that if you vote, you get a "D" in democracy. You have to get involved. So I am going to ask you again: find a day in your schedule between now and Election Day and dedicate that day to winning this election.

The Coordinated Campaign needs your help. You can volunteer to make calls, or you can join me in going to the doors of voters to stress the importance of getting to the polls on Tuesday to vote for a change in Annapolis, and to do our part to get the biggest Democratic margin possible in Washington.

Do your part. Call 410-685-0966 to volunteer. DO IT NOW.

I am not accepting excuses. Find the time and get out there. If you absulutely cannot volunteer, it's going to cost you. Click HERE to donate money to counter the massive Ehrlich media war. (No, Ehrlich did NOT lead on Stem Cells.)

Do not wake up on Wednesday morning and say "I wish I had done something."