I hope the new year has been off to a great start for each and every one of you. 2023 is hot on the heels of such a momentous year for our City and State with the election of Maryland’s first Black governor, first Asian American lieutenant governor and first immigrant to hold statewide office, and Baltimore’s newest State’s Attorney. My hope is that with this new leadership comes positive change for our region.
To get involved simply send an email to the chair of the committee you would like to support.
Education: tonette.d.campbell@gmail.com
Fundraising: torikay@verixon.net
Housing: byron@conmcastnet
Newsletter: veronica@monarchbutterfly.net
Beautiication/Events: kendra.abaidoo@verizon.net
Safety: Robin.Tignor7@gmail.com
Communications: tyravmitchell@gmail.com
Community Development: Ddeleaver@gmail.com
Architectural Review Committee CHAP: Dawn@otiswarren.com and Noell1229@gmail.com
Public Relations: Vacant
Beyond change in leadership, we’ve been experiencing great change in Ashburton. Many of our homes have been renovated and sold to numerous new residents whom we welcome. Ashburton remains a highly desirable place to live and grow. As time moves on and additional homes are listed for sale, I encourage you to share those listings with your social networks and family, because if there is anything better than a buyer choosing Ashburton, it is Ashburton choosing the buyer.
I hope that you enjoy this latest edition of our newsletter, and I would like to thank everyone who continues to contribute to the beautiful fabric of our community.
Your Neighbor, Arnold Foster, Jr. A.J.
Consider becoming a part of our board for the remainder of 2023. Simply send your statement of interest to President A.J. Foster at arnoldfoster@gmail.com by 2/28/23. In your message, please include the number of years you’ve been a resident of Ashburton, skills and resources you can contribute to Ashburton, and your contact information.
Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park is America’s third oldest public parks and recently, the public gathered to learn about its future.
State and local leaders gathered at Mansion House in Druid Hill Park to present and discuss the future plans for the park, which include swimming in the lake; boating and kayaking; and birdwatch-ing at a wildlife habitat.
Some of the other proposed attractions include a bridge across the lake; two islands and floating wetlands on the lake; a cafe with food and bever-age options; and an amphitheater as well.
Druid Hill Park has served as a central gathering place for Baltimore city residents, visitors, and tourists for more than 160 years.
Besides Druid Lake and the Maryland Zoo, the park features the Rawlings Conservatory and Botanical Gardens; numerous historic structures; miles of driving, walking, hiking and biking paths; and the park plays hosts to several huge events such as the AFRAM festival in the summer.
It’s also home to the Baltimore Recreation and Parks headquarters.
Druid Lake is already going through a six-year renovation project which includes the largest bur-ied water storage tank in America. The project is expected to wrap up in 2023.
According to WJLA News the end date has been changed from spring 2023 to an unspecified date.
Our general meetings are open to all residents of Ashburton. Help keep our neighborhood the safe, beautiful place it always has been and have your voice heard!. Meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of even numbered months at the Baltimore City Community College (BCCC), Fine Arts Building. Next Meeting is: February 21 at 6:30 pm.
$381,000 / Sold - Dec 28, 2022
In a word...Service! But you probably knew that already. Here are a few tips...
How often should fireplaces be serviced?
Even if your fireplace is rarely used, the NFPA recommends that all chimneys be cleaned and inspected annually to avoid a fire hazard.
Estimate of Fireplace Repair Cost by Part
Fireplace Part Average Cost Range to Repair
Firebox $150 – $1,000
Panel $200 – $300
Mantle $500 – $1,200
Masonry $500 – $2,500
$385,000 / Sold - Dec 28, 2022
Tell-tale signs your chimney or fireplace needs cleaning:
• Your fireplace smells like a campfire.
• It takes more effort to get a fire going and keep it going.
• Smoke fills the room.
• The fireplace damper is black.
• Fireplace walls have oily marks.
Can I clean my chimney myself?
Cleaning of the chimney’s flue can be done from the roof or through the fireplace. You’ll need a wire brush with an attached extension for this task. After removing the rain cap or animal guard, reach into the chimney with the wire brush and scrub the inner walls of the flue with an up-and-down motion.
$439,000 / Sold - Dec 13, 2022
$255,000 / Sold - Dec 9, 2022
Our newsletter is designed to keep the Ashburton community members informed, connected and entertained. The content in this edition was generated primarily by committee and baord members. But there is a writer deep down inside each of us!
Interested in submitting content for inclusion in future editions? Email your draft, photo or poem to be featured in the next edition to: veronica@monarchbutterflynet.
Plumbers have been very busy in Ashburton fixing what Mother Nature dished out! With the recent blast of Artic air that hit our area over the Christmas holidays it’s no wonder so many residents, yours truly included, wound up with frozen pipes.
But, as always, knowledge is king so here are some ways to deal with and help prevent pipes from freezing in your home.
How to help prevent pipes from freezing
If temperature dip below freezing and stay there give pipes a helping hand. If pipes run through cabinets or vanities, open the doors to let warmer room temperatures flow in.
Also, keep water moving through the pipes allowing a small trickle of water to run. the cost of the extra water is typically lower than thge cost of reparing a broken pipe.
What do I do if my pipes freeze?
Turn the water main off immediately. Don’t attempt to thaw the pipes without turning the main shut-off valve
Thaw pipes with warm air. You can melt the frozen water in the pipe by warming the air around it with a hair dryer or space heater. Be sure not to leave space heaters unattended and avoid using kerosene heaters or open flames. It should take about 30 minutes depending on the weather, pipe location and how long its been frozen. Any of these factors can make it take longer.
Be careful turning the water back on. Once the pipes are thawed slowly turn the water main back on and check pipes and joints for leaks.
What do I do first if my pipe bursts?
Step one: Turn your water of at the main IMMEDIATELY! This will shut water off to your whole house and stop the deluge that comes from a burst pipe. The quicker you turn off the water
main the less damage your home will sustain. Then what?
Call a plumber. Tell them you have no water due a burst pipe and they will make your home a priority.
What are the signs of a frozen pipe?
1. A bulge or crack in a pipe with ice seeping out is a clear indication of a burst pipe.
2. Frost on the outside of a pipe.
3. A foul smell from the drain or faucet is a less-obvious warning sign. ...
4. No water or a slow trickle when a faucet is used.
Pipes can freeze in as little as six to eight hours, meaning they can freeze overnight. If the outside temperature is below 32 degrees F and your pipes are unprotected, your chances for a frozen pipe increase. Indoor pipes are more protected, typically requiring 20 F or lower for freezing to occur, according to the International Code Council.
Will a frozen pipe thaw on its own?
Your pipes will eventually begin to thaw on their own once the temperatures rise above freezing.
How likely is a frozen pipe to burst?
Pipes typically burst when exposed to extremely low temperatures for an extended period of time (anywhere from 1-3 days depending on temperature). This is especially true for pipes located on exterior walls.
Between the kids, work and the daily grind it can be tough to find ways to reconnect with your significant other. How about making this Valentine’s Day the time to celebrate the joy in your lives...together.
“I’d love to...if I only knew how.” How? How, you ask? Well we have a few simple, creative ideas to get you started!
Do you have some couple goals you wish to achieve this year? Jot it down in a notebook and create your very own bucket list. It can include anything you two dream to do in life together. Travel, resolutions or even binge watching your favorite shows together! Any fun activities or experiences should be on the list!
Have a busy routine but don’t want to miss out on Valentine’s Day? Give your day a fancy twist by having a platter of scrumptious breakfast items at dinner! The delicious evening brunch will surely spice up your night.
A must on your Valentine’s Bucket List is to spend a romantic night at a quaint B&B.
Dress up, be sure to put on the very same cherry-red lipstick and that green tie and plan to meet each other at 8. This year, your Valentine’s Day will be quite memorable! Recreating a first date is also very popular for marriage proposals. Just saying.
What song was playing on your first date? Before you had the title of boyfriend or girlfriend? What was your wedding song? Is there a band that brings back wonderful memories? You can make it a ritual to listen to the tunes on each Valentine’s Day.
About five years ago I wrote a love letter to my future self, but it got me to thinking that I had never written one to my husband of over twenty years. Lets bring it back to old school.
Our neighborhood can follow and find some of the latest information about goings on here in Ashburton. Find us and follow us here:
https://www.facebook.com/ AshburtonAreaAssociation/
With more than 475 followers Instagram has become a way to keep up with the Ashburton Association. Meeting, events and just plain fun are all highlighted here. Find us and follow us here:
@ashburton_baltimore/
This initiative is designed to reenergize the next phase of beautifying the Calloway median and encourage more tree planting throughout the Ashburton neighborhood.
Save-The-Date:
Sunday, March 26, 2023
Join us next spring for more planting and pruning!
Here’s why this tree planting project is so important:
It creates community by bringing together multi-generational volunteers who want to preserve beautiful trees and shrubs on the joint entry way that Ashburton and Callaway-Garrison neighbors share.
The trees we're planting along Callaway - Sweet Bay Magnolia, Crabapple, Redbud, American Persimmon, Hazelnut, Red Twig Dogwood, Clethra and Cherry Birch - will help our continued transformation of the area into a point of pride.
Planting more trees in Ashburton further beautifies our historic neighborhood, cleans the air we breathe, filters the water we drink, preserves soil and supports wildlife.
If you'd like to volunteer (planning our next event or planting on the day of), please contact Tori Burns (torikay@verizon.net).
The Urban Tree Program is a joint partnership of the Ashburton Area Association, Callaway-Garrison Improvement Association, Temple X Schools, Dr. Nathan A. Pitts-Ashburton Elementary/Middle School, For-Win-Ash Garden Club, and Baltimore Orchard Project.
We'd like to thank all of the volunteers who joined us for our fall planting event!
53 volunteers helped plant and mulch 7 trees, 7 shrubs, and 20 pollinators. We also pruned and weeded around existing trees.
SAVE THE DATE for our spring planting and pruning event
March 26, 2023
We're excited to share these and other photos from the day that you can view here. A big thank you to our photographer, Rachel Rock Palermo of Rachel Rock Photography! We love that her images perfectly captured the energy of this event.
The Urban Tree Program is a joint partnership of the Ashburton Area Association, Callaway-Garrison Improvement Association, Temple X Schools, Dr. Nathan A. Pitts-Ashburton Elementary/Middle School, For-Win-Ash Garden Club, and Baltimore Orchard Project.
Generously supported by:
City Resources
Emergency Mortgage Assistance
The Emergency Mortgage & Housing Assistance Program (EMHAP) assists Baltimore City homeowners whose homes are at risk of foreclosure due to economic hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Assistance is provided as a grant in the form of a direct payment to the mortgage company to pay past due mortgage charges.
LIGHT Intake & Assessment Unit at 410-396-3023
Weatherization Program
The Weatherization Assistance Program helps low-income households with reducing energy expenses by installing energy conservation materials and products which help lower utility bills and maintain a safer, more comfortable home. These materials and products also reduce the consumption of energy and the cost of maintenance for these homes. Assistance is available for eligible owner-and tenant-occupied properties. For more information and eligibility to the program contact: 410 396-3023
Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development helps eligible low- and moderate-income applicants finance home improvements including the repair and replacement of roofing, heating, plumbing and electrical systems, and disability accessibility modifications. Assistance for repairs is mainly in the form of loans, some of which may be forgivable or deferred based on eligibility.
For more information and eligibility to the program contact: 410.396.3023
Healthy Neighborhoods (rates at 4%)
New Purchase & Rehab, Refinance & Rehab, or Home
Improvement loan, please call Rahn Barnes at 410-3320387 x 1005. Healthyneighborhoods.org
This is an initiative to coordinate housing and related services for Baltimore City residents to improve health and safety, preserve the integrity of their homes and extend the time that they age in place.
For more information contact us at hubsintake@civicworks.com or 443-470-9871
The program is a 10-year, comprehensive tax credit program that helps the City in its mission to preserve Baltimore’s historic neighborhoods by encouraging property owners in historic districts to complete substantive rehabilitation projects. The 10-year credit is granted on the increased property value, resulting from the qualifying rehabilitation work. The tax credit is computed once and used for the entire 10-year life of the credit. Tenyear tax credit for all renovations, interior, and exterior, is the most generous in Baltimore City, and among the most comprehensive in the country.
• Credit benefits homeowners and significantly can lower taxes after the renovation.
• The goal of the program is to help preserve Baltimore’s neighborhoods by encouraging restoration and rehabilitation.
• Credit is fully transferrable to a new owner for the remaining life of the credit.
** You MUST apply for this credit PRIOR to doing any renovation.
Details: for the application and more information go to: chap.baltimorecity.gov
In 1964, the City of Baltimore established the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation (CHAP). The Commission was established to protect communities and historic structures within the City of Baltimore. The appointed CHAP Commissioners and the preservation staff carefully reviews more than 500 permit applications each year to assure that Baltimore City’s CHAP’s “Historic Preservation Guidelines” are applied to each case to assure that historic character is preserved. It is then given to local communities to hear residents’ inquiries about work to be completed at their homes. Find out more at: https://chap. baltimorecity.gov
When was Ashburton established as a CHAP District?
Ashburton became a Historic CHAP District on December 22, 2011.
What are the benefits to the community?
1 - To protect the integrity and beauty of the homes in Ashburton
2 - Baltimore City Rehabilitation Tax Credits Property owners have welcomed historic designation in Baltimore City because it provides City, State and Federal rehabilitation tax credits to support reinvestment. Since,1996, Baltimore City has offered generous local rehabilitation benefits, administered by CHAP.
Ashburton CHAP Process
The Ashburton Housing & Zoning Committee has oversight of the process to assist with compliance to the rules and regulations set forth within the Ashburton CHAP district.
To complete work on the following, you must have approval with the Committee for the following on the exterior of your home:
Superstructure, Roof Deck, Paint, Windows Doors, Siding, Driveway, Fence
The process is as follows PRIOR to starting your work:
Step 1 – Send an email to AshburtonCHAPreview1920@gmail.com to request a hearing date. Meeting dates are the first Wednesday of each month.
Step 2 – Along with your email to request a hearing, attach a copy of your existing photos and plan or rendering and your Application to Proceed, (this document can be found at: https://chap.baltimorecity.gov/applications-procedures-guidelines - filled out in its entirety) to the email for the meeting. The Application to Proceed package can also be picked up at the Baltimore City Planning offices located at 417 E. Fayette Street. Failure to complete the application and attach your images will result in a delay to your application approval.
Step 3 – Within three days you will receive notification of receipt of your request for a meeting and the meeting date for your hearing.
Step 4 – Written approval will be given within three-five days of the hearing date or earlier Meetings will be held the first Wednesday of each month. You cannot proceed until you are given approval from Committee and CHAP offices.
Step 5 – If your request does not adhere to the guidelines then you can request a hearing to the CHAP Commission for approval.
*Failure to receive approval from the Committee/CHAP may result in a fine and stop work order from Baltimore City. It may also delay your permit from the Permit office of Baltimore City to proceed with your renovation.
