Stream Cleanup at Thisle Branch this Saturday

Saturday May 1 from 9:00 - 12:00, with May 8 as a rain date. Thistle Branch is a tributary of the Patapsco River that runs parallel to Thistle Rd. (near Dimitris Restaurant). To get to the meeting point, from Frederick Rd. turn onto Thistle Road and look for volunteer table most of the way down the road. To get to the parking, go to the end of Thistle Rd. and turn left on River Rd and park near the old Simkins plant. Registration is at 8:45 AM and we will have coffee and donuts. If possible, please register by cutting and pasting this link into your web browser:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?hl=en&formkey=dG50RGd4djdOeHh1TWUyLUdkLWVqblE6MA

The cleanup is sponsored by the Friends of the Patapsco Heritage Greenway and the Southwest Baltimore County Democratic Club.

More information about the cleanup:

As a new 2010 initiative with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, we will be counting all the bottles we find as part of a state-wide initiative to provide statistics for a future bottle bill to stop all the litter of bottles in our streams, river and roadways!

Wear comfortable shoes and clothes. We recommend our volunteers wear long pants and shirt, so any prickly underbrush or insects won't bother you, and boots to keep your feet dry! Those of you who have tall boots will be directed and challenged to pull out the embedded tires and other stuff out of the streams!!!

There are no nearby restrooms available, so please plan accordingly.

We also appreciate and recommend you bring your own water/drink, small plastic grocery-type bags (the kind you get at the stores when you bring home your groceries), sunscreen and insect repellant. If you are allergic to insect bites or stings, please bring any needed medications and notify the stream captain of your allergy.

Please bring your own work gloves, shovel, and any other tools you may have to help us transport and dig out embedded junk. You are welcome to bring your family and friends. Children under 16 are welcome if they are supervised and accompanied by an adult volunteer.

Volunteers are requested to arrive by 8:45 AM to register so we can begin promptly at 9 AM. Look for posted signs near the registration site.

Another Oella home featured in the news

Click here to read the story.

Earth Day Events at Banneker Park

The Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum will host a special series of events 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 24 as part its Earth Day celebration. The museum at 300 Oella Ave. will offer:

* lectures on climate change and astronomy

* mini-marathon of films related to nature and the environment

* botany hike

* tree planting

* worm composting workshop

* insect and turtle displays

* nature arts and crafts

Events are free and open to the public.

Call Caroline Boules at 410-887-1081.

Due to the high cost of snow removal this year, the board has decided to make some changes in landscaping services. We will revisit the issue periodically throughout the Spring and Summer to determine how best to provide service to the community while conserving money. The following changes will be implemented:

-Volunteers will trim the Mill Race Trail
-Stop mowing and trimming hedges at the corner of Race Rd. It is not HOA property.
-Stop mowing the area opposite 732 & 734 Oella Ave (steps) and stop trimming the bush
-Mow only every other week: behind 927-947 (Spring Street) and the area of Pleasant Hill Rd. between the guard rail and the wall on Oella Ave.
-The "Tot Lot" grassy area behind the antique store should be left to naturalize, according to our master landscaping plan. We have decided to keep a path mowed to allow residents to pass through. This will be mowed every other week.
-Bushes and hedges will only be trimmed once. Mulching will only be done this Spring. The board will decide later in the year if we can proceed with Fall hedge trimming and mulching.

April Board meeting agenda (Mon., the 19th at 7pm)

Oella HOA Meeting Agenda – April 19, 2010

1.Call to Order – 7:00pm
2.March Meeting Minutes – Discuss/Revise/Approve
3.Treasurer’s Report – Scott Hall
a. Special assessment for snow removal
b. Update on outside audit/tax returns
4.ARC Update
a.Violations update
5.HOA Landscaping & Common Areas
a.Erosion issue from Timber Point to Wagandt property & at Timber Point entrance
b.Acknowledgment of Member Volunteerism with landscaping issues
c.Discuss & approve proposed landscaping cuts
d.Update on storm damage to HOA common areas (parking lots)
e.Other (non-storm related) items which could likely use repair (e.g. parking & road surfaces).
6.Guidelines Committee update
7.Board Action Items from Management Report
8.Old Business
a.Charles James Circle survey encroachment issues
9.New Business
10.Questions and comments from residents
11.Move to Adjourn

Thanks to OHOA Volunteers!

Volunteers have been working hard this Spring to beautify the OHOA common areas. Volunteer-initiated projects have included cleaning up gardens at Lillie Lane, Timber Point, and Short & Long Brick Row. Volunteers have also spread natural weed preventer & lawn food, created a footpath behind Short Brick Row, cut back invasive weeds, and planted perennials & shrubs. This is in addition to the wonderful volunteers who serve on HOA committees. Your neighbors have helped save the OHOA thousands of dollars just this season.

A big THANKS!!!

New Sunday Farmers Market in Catonsville

Starting May 16, there will be a farmers market held every Sunday from 11-3 in the parking lot behind Friendly's on Frederick Rd. Information.

Baltimore County Walking & Bicycling Planning Citizen Workshop April 28

The workshops will enable citizens to discuss their experiences walking and bicycling in the County, and suggest opportunities for improvements to sidewalks and crossings, on-street bicycle facilities and off-road trails. Attendees will be asked to identify their priorities for the five most important improvements that should be made in the Council districts where they reside.

Tuesday April 28 - Council District 1
Catonsville Public Library
1100 Frederick Road
Catonsville, MD 21228

More info