DENNIS E. CUOMO Attorney At Law * CRIMINAL CASES * D.W.I/TRAFFIC (Former Assistant States’ Attorney) * PERSONAL INJURY ACCIDENT CASES * DIVORCE SEPARATION CUSTODY * WILLS AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATION 323-325 S. Conkling Street 410-675-7900 WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21 - TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2015 THE BLOCK: A Baltimore institution, through the eyes of a former dancer. Page 7 News ........................... 2-3 Calendar .................... 4-5 Feature ........................... 7 Sports............................ 9 Seniors ......................... 10 Real Estate ................... 15 INSIDE... FREE Photographer Tom Scilipoti captured this tree in Patterson Park, waiting for its spring rebirth. | Photo by Tom Scilipoti CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 MTA issues response to Right Rail alternative BY ERIK ZYGMONT [email protected]Though both sides are waiting with baited breath for a statement from Gov. Larry Hogan, the debate over the Baltimore Red Line is trudging onward in the meantime. An alternative to the Red Line proposed by the Right Rail Coalition, a Canton-based nonprofit group, has recently gained traction, with State Sen. Bill Ferguson and Del. Pete Hammen, both of the state’s 46th District, publicly voicing support for it over the original Red Line plan. As a large part of the proposed public transportation project lies in the 46th District, it may be surmised that 46th District legislators, including Ferguson and Hammen, would play a substantial role in either moving the Red Line forward, killing it, or replacing it with a different plan, i.e. the RRC proposal. On Nov. 13, the Maryland Transit Administration released a review of the RRC plan, which it largely pans, albeit in the soporific language of state engineers. Soon afterward, the RRC released a response panning the MTA’s review. First, the RRC plan: The western portions of the Red Line plan and the RRC’s alternative are more or less the same. However, where the Red Line would turn south and head to the waterfront, which it would hug from Inner Harbor through Canton, the RRC’s plan plugs into Baltimore’s existing subway at a “multi-modal” hub at Lexington Market. Rather than hug the waterfront, the Right Rail plan then follows How many homeless? One way to find out BY ERIK ZYGMONT [email protected]Journey Home staff--and about 300 volunteers--will be making their own journey on Monday night/Tuesday morning, Jan. 26 and 27, covering the city between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. to count the homeless spending the night on the streets. The homeless census is an annual responsibility for Journey Home, which must be fulfilled in order for the program to receive federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Every year, Journey Home counts the homeless spending the night in shelters. But on every other year, including this one, the organization counts the “unsheltered” homeless population as well. The “sheltered” head count, according to Adrienne Breidenstine, executive director of Journey Home, simply counts the number of “butts in beds” in the city’s shelter network. As the shelters have been “definitely Serving East Baltimore since 1927 526 S. CONKLING STREET | 410-732-6600 | [email protected] | WWW.BALTIMOREGUIDE.COM CONTINUED ON PAGE 3 SERVICING THE CANTON AREA FOR OVER 20 YEARS • MD State Inspections • MD Emissions Test Repairs • Factory Scheduled Maintenance • Foreign & Domestic Vehicles • Computer Diagnostic Specialist • Road Service & Towing Available $ 5.00 OFF Premium 3000 Mile Maintenance Service WITH THIS COUPON 601 S. Luzerne Ave, Baltimore, MD 21224 410-675-4338 NICHOLAS’ FLEET STREET SHELL
Photographer Tom Scilipoti captured this tree in Patterson Park, waiting for its spring rebirth. | Photo by Tom Scilipoti CONTINUED ON PAGE 8
MTA issues response to Right Rail alternativeBY ERIK [email protected]
Though both sides are waiting with baited breath for a statement from Gov. Larry Hogan, the debate over the Baltimore Red Line is trudging onward in the meantime.
An alternative to the Red Line proposed by the Right Rail Coalition, a Canton-based nonprofit group, has recently gained traction, with State Sen. Bill Ferguson and Del. Pete Hammen, both of the state’s 46th District, publicly voicing support for it over the original Red Line plan.
As a large part of the proposed public transportation project lies in the 46th District, it may be surmised that 46th District legislators, including Ferguson and Hammen, would play a substantial role in either moving the Red Line forward, killing it, or replacing it with a different plan, i.e. the RRC proposal.
On Nov. 13, the Maryland Transit Administration released a review of the RRC plan, which it largely pans, albeit in the soporific language of state engineers. Soon afterward, the RRC released a response panning the MTA’s review.
First, the RRC plan:The western portions of the Red Line plan
and the RRC’s alternative are more or less the same. However, where the Red Line would turn south and head to the waterfront, which it would hug from Inner Harbor through Canton, the RRC’s plan plugs into Baltimore’s existing subway at a “multi-modal” hub at Lexington Market. Rather than hug the waterfront, the Right Rail plan then follows
Journey Home staff--and about 300 volunteers--will be making their own journey on Monday night/Tuesday morning, Jan. 26 and 27, covering the city between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m. to count the homeless spending the night on the streets.
The homeless census is an annual responsibility for Journey Home, which must be fulfilled in order for the program to receive federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Every year, Journey Home counts the homeless spending the night in shelters. But on every other year, including this one, the organization counts the “unsheltered” homeless population as well.
The “sheltered” head count, according to Adrienne Breidenstine, executive director of Journey Home, simply counts the number of “butts in beds” in the city’s shelter network. As the shelters have been “definitely
Contributing PhotographersThomas C. Scilipoti, Bill Lear
Contributing WriterAndy Mindzak, Birds House
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To the Editor:I am disappointed by the recent news that State Sen. Bill Ferguson and Del. Pete Hammen are supporting the “Right Rail Coalition” alternative to the Red Line. I would like to make sure that Sen. Ferguson and Del. Hammen are aware of the recently released, in-depth engineering and financial analysis of the Right Rail plan from the experienced state transportation planners at the MTA. According to this analysis, the plan from RRC will cost anywhere from $2.6 billion to $3.3 billion, meaning the Right Rail folks underestimated the cost of their own plan by as much as $1.5 billion. Additionally, the analysis finds that the stations proposed in the RRC plan are located in areas with a total population that is 49-percent less than that of the proposed Red Line stations, which leads to the conclusion that although taxpayers will be footing a similar, possibly higher, bill compared to the Red Line, they will in return get transportation with dramatically lower ridership.There’s more: Because the RRC alternative is substantially different from the existing plans for the Red Line, it would send the entire project back to the drawing board. As a result, according to the analysis, the project would “forego the current federal funding recommendation of $900 million and would be subject to annual cost escalation of three percent, or $54 million per year”.Or put another way: Without a shovel in the ground, the Right Rail Coalition’s plan already costs at least $2.6 billion and rising, with no federal funding available.It’s predictable that Red Line opponents will deride this report as an MTA conspiracy. But let’s give some credit to actual professional transit engineers. This is a great example of what happens when you go from the luxury of drawing a line on a map to the grueling task of being accountable for making a transit system work in the real world.If Sen. Ferguson and Del. Hammen agree that improved transit is crucial for Baltimore’s future, they need to stand with our local and federal legislators to fight for the Red Line, instead of being distracted and divided by a hastily conceived “plan” that has the effect of denying Southeast Baltimore access to quality transit service.Grant Corley, Patterson Park
Ferguson and Hammen should support Red Line as planned
To the Editor
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Remembering JackieTo the Editor:I was most sad to read of the passing of Jackie Watts.I knew that she did very good work for the Guide, and that would have been enough. When one considers her efforts toward Patterson Park and the Southeast Anchor Library, however, it becomes most difficult to decide what her most important legacy is.The best way to remember Jackie: Read the Guide; use the library; visit the park.What a legacy.Denny Olver, Highlandtown
Pop Physique eyes second location in Fell’s Prospect
Last Wednesday night, the Fell’s Prospect Community Association voted, with no opposition, to support Anita Bhatia’s efforts to have her property at 502 S. Castle St. rezoned from residential to business to make way for a fitness center.
The property is located immediately west of the Fell’s Prospect Burger King, just across S. Castle St., a small alley street.
Bhatia, who has lived in Fell’s Prospect on the 400 block of S. Chapel St. for 20 years, hopes to open a second Baltimore location for Pop Physique, a “boutique studio for barre exercise class” that typically attracts women between the ages of 25 and 40. There are 17 Pop Physique locations in California, and one in Baltimore, at 339 N. Charles St. in Mt. Vernon, at which Bhatia is an instructor.
Pop Physique focuses on barre, a form of exercise or movement discipline that utilizes what is essentially a horizontal wooden bar, anchored at waist-height o the wall. Ballet dancers use the barre to stretch and train.
“Barre is a ballet-based fitness regimen that incorporates elements of yoga and pilates,” said Bhatia.
Apparently understanding the audience to whom she was presenting, Bhatia emphasized that, though her business would focus on barre, it would never be a bar.
“There’s no B-A-R that can go there, because it’s too close to the school and to the church,” said Bhatia.
The property is in close proximity to Cristo Rey Jesuit High School and Holy Rosary Catholic Church.
Bhatia said that she had purchased the property in 2009, specifically to use as a fitness facility when she was ready. When she bought it, it was zoned for business use, she added.
“I would never have paid so much for that property if it wasn’t zoned as B-3-3,” Bhatia said.
For reasons unbeknownst to her, the zoning recently changed to residential.
Residents questioned her on parking for the business. She said that she expects most of her clients to be be neighborhood residents who would walk to the studio.
Laura Irwin, an officer of the Fell’s Prospect association, noted that the people she knows who go to Inline Group Fitness in Canton typically walk there.
Bruce Ward, a longtime member of Fell’s Prospect and also an officer, said that he thought a fitness studio would be “good for the neighborhood.”
“It’s more people in the street,” he said. Legislation to rezone Bhatia’s property
would come from City Councilman Jim Kraft.
Fell’s Prospect will forward City Councilman
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of homeless,” commented Breidenstine. “They tend to shy away from police and any kind of authority figures.”
The count is held during night hours because that is the best time to find homeless either in shelters or sheltering in place on the streets. Like non-homeless, they tend to take care of business during the day, going to doctors’ appointments and running other errands.
Breidenstine says that the large number of homeless in Baltimore may be attributed to a lack of affordable housing in the city. She said that the average one-bedroom apartment rental in the city is $1001 per month, too expensive for many.
“Lots of the people we see who are homeless are working, but are not making enough to afford housing,” she said. “The affordable housing crisis is a national problem.”
“Twenty-five years ago, HUD used to fund public housing and section eight vouchers at a much higher level than they do today,” Breidenstine continued. “It was cut in the 80s, which was when we started to see more homelessness.”
She acknowledged that vagrancy in the Fell’s Point and Upper Fell’s Point areas, especially along Broadway, is a problem.
“They do deal with a lot of people who are drunk in that area,” she said. “A lot of them are not homeless--they just didn’t make it home that night--but some are.”
About 10 staff and 300 volunteers have been enlisted for the Point in Time census, whichalso aims to connect homeless with available services. Participants include City Councilman Eric Costello and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Breidenstine said.
Jeffrey Amoros, a community aide with City Councilman Jim Kraft’s office, is participating in the count as well, and has been collecting hats, mittens, scarves and first aid kits to distribute.
Last week at the Fell’s Prospect Community Association, Amoros reported that around 30 boxes and garbage bag-sized bags of items had been donated.
“The response from southeast Baltimore has been tremendous,” he said.
Collections are continuing through Thursday; Amoros said that more first aid kits are needed. Donations may be dropped off at Long and Foster, Broadway and Aliceanna St., or at the Church on the Square, 1025 S. Potomac Ave., at the east end of O’Donnell Square in Canton. For more information, contact Kraft’s office at 410-396-4821.
consistently at capacity over the years,” said Breidenstine, the count is also a measure of the city’s overall capacity for sheltering homeless.
The unsheltered count measures something else.
“We look at our unsheltered count basically as a measure of the community’s need,” she said.
In 2013, there were about 2,600 homeless in shelters between midnight and 6 a.m. on the count night. Journey Home identified about 295 individuals citywide who were spending the night on the street.
“The plain and simple fact is that we don’t have enough places for people to go,” said Breidenstine.
She also acknowledged that there are some homeless who just don’t want to stay in shelters.
“Some people don’t feel safe; some can’t sleep,” she said.
She said that Journey Home knows the nooks and crannies in the city where homeless set up encampments, such as near the railroad tracks between Eastern Ave. and I-95, near Johns Hopkins Bayview Hospital.
“We spend a lot of time trying to identify those encampments, which we call hot spots,” said Breidenstine.
When homeless are found, they are not just counted, she said.
“We include a survey; that’s a great way for us to get the needs and characteristics of the homeless people of Baltimore.”
In addition to questions about their health, their families, and where they are from, homeless are asked how long they have been without a home.
“Different groups of people move through [homelessness] at different paces,” said Breidenstine.
Homeless families, for example, tend to be homeless for shorter periods because there are more resources available for them than for single adults. There are also people that Journey Home refers to as “chronically homeless.”
“These folks tend to be homeless for the long haul,” said Breidenstine.
As in anything else in life, individual abilities play a role.
“It all depends on the person and how able they are to take advantage of services and be an advocate for themselves,” she said.
New this year is a focus on homeless youth. Youth, per HUD standards, is anyone under 25.
“They tend to be a more hidden population
HOMELESS: Residents donate hats, scarvesCONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Pop Physique eyes second location in Fell’s Prospect
4 BALTIMORE GUIDE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015
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COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Email your events to Erik Zygmont [email protected]. Events are due at noon on the Friday before publication.
Wednesday, January 21Graceland Park Improvement Association: The group meets Wednesday, Jan. 21, 7-8:30 p.m.., at Graceland United Methodist Church, 6714 Youngstown Ave. Mother Goose Baby Steps: Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. An interactive nursery rhyme program with music and movement. For children up to 36 months of age with their caregivers. Patterson Park Branch, Enoch Pratt Library, 158 N. Linwood Ave. Info: 410-396-0983.Canton Baptist Church Adult Bible Study: Every Wednesday 6:30-7:30 p.m. Classes for youth and children. Info: 410.563.1177.Buena Casa, Buena Brasa: Todos los jueves. Canciones, rimas, cuentos, y juegos, para los niños (0-3 años) y los padres o cuidadores. 11 a.m. at the Southeast Anchor Branch, Enoch Pratt Library, 3601 Eastern Ave. Info: 410-396-1580.Friday, January 23Bingo: Join Patterson Park Public Charter
School for Bingo to benefit the school on Friday, Jan. 23, 6-10 p.m., at the school, 2726 E. Baltimore St. Doors open at 6 p.m.; games begin at 7 p.m. The cost is $10 to play; includes three Bingo cards. Three extra cards cost $5. Cash prizes range from $25 to $100. Beer and wine provided by Chesapeake Wine Company; raffle prizes donated by Grace’s Acre, Bistro Rx and Carol Underwood of Custom Fondant Cake. Must be 18 to enter and 21 to drink. Info: 410-558-1230 x393. To reserve your seat, visit PPPCSBingo.eventbrite.com. Saturday, January 24Charm City Roller Girls: Watch the Junkyard Dolls face off against the Night Terrors, and Speed Regime takes a shot at last year’s hometown champs, the Mobtown Mods! The bout is at Du Burns Arena, 3100 Boston St., Saturday, Jan. 24. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. This year, viewers have the option of enjoying a new beer garden. Tickets available at missiontix.com. Info: CharmCityRollerGirls.com.Pick-up Men’s Lacrosse: Come and play pick-up lacrosse in the park every other Saturday, 10 a.m. Meet at the Pagoda. Bring your own stick; a few laoners are available if you don’t have one. This group is for novices. Info: Search for the group on meetup.com.
PPPCS is a pre-k to 8th grade public charter school just north of Patterson Park.
Learn more at www.pppcs.org. 2726 e. Baltimore street • 410-558-1230
Thank you for voting Patterson Park PublicCharter School one of East Baltimore’s Best!
COMMUNITY CALENDAR
Sunday, January 25PPPCS Open House: Patterson Park Public Charter School is holding an open house on Sunday, Jan. 25, 1-3 p.m., at the school, 2726 E. Baltimore St. PPPCS is a tuition-free public charter school, serving kindergarten through grade 8. At the open house, guests may learn about the school, tour the building, meet teachers and staff, and ask questions. Info: See www.pppcs.org, or call Deborah Mattera at 410-558-1230 x393, or email [email protected], January 26Young Adult Group: Join young adults 18-35 at Sacred Heart of Mary Parish, 6727 Duluth Ave., Dundalk, as we seek to build our relationship with God. There will be talks, testimonies, small group discussions, music, free food and weekend activities. We meet Mondays, 7 p.m., in the Parish Center, 6727 Duluth Ave., a two-story brick building. Info: [email protected] or 410-633-2828. Mother Goose Baby Steps: Mondays,11 a.m. An interactive nursery rhyme program with music and movement. For children up to 36 months of age with their caregivers. Southeast Anchor Branch, Enoch Pratt Library, 3601 Eastern Ave. Info: 410-396-1580.Tuesday, January 27State of the District: The monthly meeting of the Canton Community Association is Tuesday, Jan. 27, 7 p.m., at United Evangelical Church, 3200 Dillon St. At this meeting, First District Councilman Jim Kraft will be updating his constituents on his plans and progress in the district. Info: 410-396-4821.Hampstead Hill Academy Open House: Hampstead Hill Academy would like to invite you to tour the school Tuesday, Jan. 27, at 9:30 am. You will have the opportunity to speak with an administrator and step into various classrooms. The school is located at
500 S. Linwood Avenue in Canton. If you would like to attend, please call 410.396.9146 and ask for Ms. Swann, or email her directly at [email protected] the DateJan. 30, St. Casimir’s Open House: St. Casimir Catholic School, 1035 S. Kenwood Ave., is hosting an open house for prospective parents on Friday, Jan. 30, 9-11 a.m. As an educational leader in the Canton community since 1902, St. Casimir Catholic School serves students of all faiths in grades PreK3 to grade 8. Students in PreK3 and PreK4 may choose full- or part-time programs. St. Casimir was voted number one for local parochial, public and charter schools in the area by Baltimore Guide readers in July 2014. This is an opportunity to meet the principal and see first-hand what St. Casimir’s can offer your family. Info: 410-342-2681 or StCasimirSchool.us.Community NotebookIce Skating: The Dominic “Mimi” DiPietro Family Skating Center, 200 S. Linwood Ave. inside Patterson Park, is now open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Fridays, 7-9 p.m.; Saturdays, two sessions, 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.; and Sundays, 3-5 p.m. Admission is $4; skate rental is $2. Info: Email John Kirk at [email protected], or call 410-396-9392.Program for 2-year-olds; United Evangelical PACT preschool (Parents and Teachers Together) has openings for 2 year olds. One morning per week, Oct-May. For more information call the church, 410-276-0393 or email us at [email protected] With Audubon: Time to spare? Audubon would love your help making environmental education programs in Patterson Park successful. Please contact Kate Creamer, volunteer coordinator, 410-558-BIRD.
6 BALTIMORE GUIDE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015
BALTIMORE GUIDE 7WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015
The strip-club manager gazes up at his favorite female, imagining her life decades in the future: A handsome, confident woman, fully aware of the power still inherent in her form, her movement and her intellect. She has a stable job, a loving husband, and is pursuing an avocation as a writer, lecturer and sought-after subject-matter expert.
Come on. First of all, strip-club managers do not
imagine such scenarios, which, second, are nonexistent anyway.
Margo Christie, a Denver resident who at age 16 starting working on Baltimore’s infamous Block, would dispute both assertions. She now lives the above scenario. Furthermore, a contingent of the strip-club staff and even some of the regular customers were indeed thoughtful and considerate, says Christie.
“I didn’t feel taken advantage of at all,” she says. “I felt they were always on the up-and-up with me.”
The performers and bartenders formed an “inner circle” that Christie says was “very homey” and “almost family-oriented, especially for girls like me and some other girls who didn’t have a family.”
Christie credits Milton Carter, manager of the Stage Door where the teenage girl went to work in the late 1970s, as being a “grandfatherly figure” that advised her away from drinking, drugs and smoking. Then in his 70s, Carter had been on the Block since the 1930s.
When the young and green Christie found herself in a sticky situation, Carter clarified something for her: “You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do,” he told her.
Ultimately, Christie didn’t.“Every girl was different,” she says. “Some
girls could make good living without compromising themselves, and I consider myself one of them.”
Those without a certain way with people, the “gift of gab,” were not so lucky, according to Christie.
Christie looks back on the Block fondly and with nostalgia, and without rose-colored glasses.
“The Block was a really great place for me to be, to be honest, even though it was sleazy,” she says. “I put myself through school as a stripper, and I did a couple other things as well.”
A former stripper looks back on the Block; reading January 30BY ERIK [email protected]
One of the things she did was write a novel, which she published in 2013.
Christie describes “These Days,” as “a semi-autobiographical romp down memory lane on a notorious burlesque strip, Baltimore’s World-Famous Block.”
“It’s protagonist is a starstruck teen stripper enamored of the glory days of burlesque and determined to keep a bit of them alive,” wrote Christie in an email.
Christie is coming to Baltimore at the end of this month and will be reading from “These Days” on Friday, Jan. 30, 6 p.m., at an event at Germano’s Cabaret, above Germano’s Piattini, 300 S. High St. in Little Italy. With emceeing by author and actor Tony Hayes and music by Michael Joseph Harris, “it’s going to be fun-filled evening of linguini, literature and laughs,” wrote Christie.
While heavily autobiographical--there’s even a “key” at the back matching the characters with their real-life counterparts--”These Days” includes some departures from Christie’s real life.
“[The protagonist] grew up in Highlandtown; I did not,” says Christie.
Nevertheless, the stripper-turned-bus driver and novelist has as much love for the neighborhood as John Waters or Rafael Alvarez.
Alvarez, who was named “Baltimore’s Best Writer” last year by Baltimore Magazine, will open the Germano’s Cabaret event with readings from his own book of short stories, “Tales from the Holy Land,” in wh ich Highlandtown is the “Holy Land.”
Christie credits Alvarez with giving her the guidance and encouragement she needed to publish “These Days.” She came across his name when she found an old article of his about a retired stripper from the Block. She contacted him; he responded.
“I have to say he’s kind of my hero,” Christie says. Without him, I don’t think I’d have done much with my book.”
Christie’s history with Highlandtown began before she went to work on the Block. She held down a job at the Mustang Inn, still located today at Eastern and East avenues, then a popular stop for men on their way to work at the shipyards, breweries or Sparrow’s Point.
“They’d come in before work and slam down a boilermaker and take an egg sandwich to go,” Christie remembers.
Incidentally, this is the second time in the
Baltimore Guide for Christie (a pen name). Back then, she was named “Highlandtown’s best-looking barmaid” in a feature about the establishments along Eastern Ave. in what was then known as the “Shopper’s Guide.”
She went to live in Highlandtown for a second stint about a decade later, from 1992-1998.
“I really loved it because it was different from what I had grown up with,” she says, noting that the suburban family experience she had lived as a young girl insulated her from her neighbors.
“When I discovered Highlandtown...It just seemed so much more connected than I was used to,” she says.
Like her protagonist in “These Days,” Christie remains very much enamored of
burlesque, the classic and classier predecessor of straight stripping.
At a Denver-area senior center, she recently held a burlesque workshop, an experience she found all the more satisfying due to the fact that some of her audience had actually been around during the burlesque heyday.
Christie also performs in burlesque shows. “I just get up and strip and be sexy and
classy about it, which I was back then anyway,” she says.
Tickets for Christie’s Jan. 30 reading at Germano’s should be purchased in advance, visit germanospiattini.com for details and to purchase tickets. On Saturday, Jan. 31, Christie will be reading at the Wind-Up Space, 12 W. North Ave., 5 p.m., as part of the New Mercury Reading Series. Visit thewind upspace.com for details.
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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
RED LINE: Right Rail Coalition disputes report
the existing subway to Johns Hopkins Hospital.
From there, an extension would be added to the existing tunnel, west to a point near the Berea neighborhood and the East Baltimore Development Inc. development, where the rail would emerge from the ground. It would then connect to the MARC train before continuing on to its end at Bayview.
The RRC says that their plan would cost $1.75 billion. Not included in the cost is a streetcar system that they say would eventually tie in the waterfront neighborhoods and other points to the core line.
According to the MTA, however, the RRC plan, not including the streetcar component, would cost between $2.6 billion (which is equal to the MTA’s estimate for its own plan) and $3.3 billion, up $1.5 billion from the RRC’s own estimate of $1.75 billion.
The MTA review also states that “no travel demand forecast of the RRC is available, but the population within a ¼-mile radius of the RRC stations is 49 percent less than the population within the radius of the Red Line stations, so MTA expects ridership to be significantly less than the Red Line.”
The MTA concedes that the RRC plan offers a shorter travel time for riders whose trips are contained between Lexington Market and Bayview. For riders traveling through Lexington Market, however, there would be “a significant time penalty” due to a train transfer that would “likely reduce ridership,” according to the MTA.
The MTA also argues, because the RRC plan differs substantially from the original, “several years of engineering would be required to achieve the same level of development as the Red Line.”
The delay, argues the MTA, would result in
a loss of the $900 million federal funding commitment, “plus an annual cost escalation of three percent, or $54 million per year.”
As with the Red Line itself, the RRC was not impressed by the MTA report.
In a written critique of the report, the RRC states:
“The MTA did not evaluate our plan. They twisted and distorted our plan into a construct of their own making which they then concluded was more expensive than the [Red Line].”
The MTA’s list of findings in its report, continues the RRC, “merely demonstrates the dire need for the MTA to actually do its job--planning and designing a rail transit system, rather than wasting all its energy and resources simply propping up and defending a line on a map that someone drew back in 2001.”
The RRC then continues with a “list of erroneous claims made in MTA’s Right Rail Plan critique,” which mostly address engineering-related assertions that the MTA makes in its review of the RRC alternative.
With regard to the MTA’s assertion that ridership for the RRC plan would be lower due to the 49-percent lower population within a quarter mile of its stations, the RRC states:
“Using ¼-mile population figures as a surrogate for ridership analysis is very weak. On the Red Line, there is virtually no correlation between ¼-mile radius population and ridership. Walk-in ridership is only 29 percent along the entire Red Line.”
More information on the Right Rail Coalition’s alternative is available at rightrailcoalition.org. The full MTA review of the alternative is available at the Red Line website, baltimoreredline.com. Click on “Library” and then “General Information.” A link to a PDF of the review is listed under “Reports.”
BALTIMORE GUIDE 9WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2015
BIRDS HOUSE BY ANDY MINDZAK
Duquette situation informed by the Clash, Meatloaf, Oasis
The Clash asked a big question back in 1982: “Should I stay or should I go?”
Now, in 2015, that question is most likely going through Dan Duquette’s head.
This winter has been a quiet one for the Baltimore Orioles, and anything that has happened has been centered around people leaving to play elsewhere via free agency. Talk has focused on players like Nick Markakis, Nelson Cruz and Andrew Miller.
There could be one more person leaving, and it isn’t a player, it’s Executive Vice President Dan Duquette.
There have been talks about Duquette leaving Baltimore to take on the CEO role with the Toronto Blue Jays. Initially, those rumors were squashed, but recently there was a report by Ken Rosenthal that the Orioles and Jays have discussed a package that would compensate the Orioles if Duquette leaves to go north of the border. Duquette is under contract until 2018, but if he decides to leave, the O’s would get some sort of compensation for his departure.
When Theo Epstein left the Boston Red Sox to accept the position of president of baseball operations with the Chicago Cubs, the Red Sox received three players: Chris Carpenter, Aaron Kurcz and Jair Bogaerts from the Cubs. If Duquette does leave us, then Baltimore could expect something along those lines, I believe.
I need to be honest here…after coming off an ALCS appearance, things were looking up for the O’s, even though there were a few questions this offseason with regards to Markakis and Cruz. I thought they would have probably let Cruz go, but not Markakis. While that was probably more of a kick to the stomach for the fan base, rather than a major loss of on-field product, it still hurt.
While that Clash song is surely in his head, he’s giving us a Meatloaf phrase from “Paradise by the Dashboard Light” when he keeps begging us to let him sleep on it. As in the song, he needs to give us an answer in the morning.
Now, with Duquette potentially leaving, who knows what’s going on. It’s tough to
feel that his heart is totally in it if he is being pursued by not only another team, but another team in the same division.
On the heels of the news that Max Scherzer just signed with the Washington Nationals (giving them one of the scariest rotations in baseball, if not THE scariest) I feel that in the Duquette situation, a decision needs to be made quickly.
Buck Showalter gave us a gem back at Fan Fest a few years ago when asked about young players needing to step up. He said they need to “you know what or get off the pot.”
That sentiment greatly applies to the decision around Duquette.
Obviously I didn’t expect the O’s to go after a big name player like Scherzer, but that just makes me question this limbo even more. One way or another, a decision needs to be made, and now.
Personally, after the job Duquette has done, I would like to pull an Oasis quote and ask him to “Don’t go away, say what you say, say that you’ll stay...”
The lineup changes reported, and they were announced to the Ravens, but Baltimore was unsure how to handle it. The result of that play was a 14-yard pass to the New England offensive lineman Michael Hoomanawanui, which set them up at the Baltimore 10 yard line. Harbaugh came on the field to protest the move and was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct, moving the ball to the Baltimore five, eventually leading to a Patriot touchdown.
While he might have been right about at least questioning the move, why not just call a timeout? I understand timeouts are important, but if your defense isn’t set up or you get a look you don’t like, call a timeout.
Overall, the Ravens had a good season, considering all of the turmoil they had to deal with early in the year with Ray Rice. While this year does not result in a Super Bowl appearance, they still made the playoffs for the sixth time in the past seven seasons. Pretty impressive.
Now it’s on to the Orioles for hope and inspiration.
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Please don’t forget to renew your membership for 2015 and bring a friend! Throughout 2015, Baltimore City Health Dept., Office of Aging & Care Services will offer 12 topics within our 13 senior centers in order to provide caregivers with year-long education, support and respite in the midst of providing care for a loved one. The second program, Take Care of Your Health & Heart, will be Wednesday, Feb. 18, 10:30 a.m.
Please pick up a placemat with future dates and times available at the Hatton.
Seated massage is offered on the first and third Wednesdays of each month; suggested donation is $12 for a 15-minute massage. Madhu is a certified massage therapist; she is available 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Call for an appointment.
New: Chair yoga, every Monday, 10:30-11 a.m., free. Seated aerobics, every Wednesday, 10:30-11:15 a.m., free.
February 4: Heart health info--Join the staff in discussing how to keep your heart healthy; 12:15 p.m., free.
February 10: STEPS presentation: Take Care of Your Health and Heart, 10:30-11:30 a.m., free. Snacks served at 10 a.m.
February 11: Valentine craft making, 12:15 p.m. Make a valentine craft to take home;
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JoHn BootH - eleanor Hooper Senior Centerpatterson park Casino Bldg. • 2601a e. Baltimore St. • 410-396-9202
Check here for Senior Center News the third week of every month.
AARP will be doing taxes for seniors starting Feb. 2., Mondays only. Please call the Center for an appointment
The Center will be closed February 16 for Presidents’ Day.
Mondays, Feb. 2, 9, 23: Video walk at 9 a.m.; massage Feb. 9 and 23 by appointment; Eating Together at 11:30 a.m.
Tuesdays, Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24: Wii at 9 a.m.; House Council Feb. 24 at 12:30 p.m.; Eating Together 11:30 a.m.
Wednesdays, Feb. 4, 11, 18, 25: Eating Together at 11:30 a.m.; legal help by appointment only; Health and Heart program Feb. 18, 10:30 a.m.; Feb. 25 blood pressure check, 12:15 p.m.; information meeting 1p.m.
Thursdays, Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26: Video walk 9:30 a.m.; Wii 10 a.m.; aerobics 10:30 a.m.; Eating together 11:30 a.m.; Book Club 12:30 p.m.
Fridays, Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27: Bus to Walmart 10 a.m.; Bingo at 12 p.m.
free for members.
February 12: Podiatrist visit, 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m. Paid through Medicare.
February 13: Blood pressure check, 10:30 a.m.; Valentine Bingo, 12:15 p.m. Enjoy some sweets while playing Bingo.
February 16: Center is closed for Presidents Day.
February 17: Mardi Gras Pokeno--Celebrate Mardi Gras with us while playing Pokeno, 12:15 p.m.
February 18: Laughter Wednesday--Come to the center to have some fun, 12:15 p.m.
February 25: Games day--Like to play games like checkers and Scrabble? Join us at 12:15 p.m.
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ADVERTISING SALES PRO-FESSIONAL The BaltimoreGuide is looking for career-minded individuals. Duties in-clude building a client base,reaching targeted revenuegoals, understanding the cli-ent’s needs and making ap-propriate advertising recom-mendations. Computer skillsare a must: Microsoft Officeand ad ordering required.Must be self-motivated andcustomer service driven withexcellent prospecting and coldcalling skills and have owntransportation. Familiarity withCanton, Fell’s Point, Butcher’sHill, Little Italy, Highlandtown,Brewer’s Hill, Greektown andDundalk helpful. BILINGUAL:ENGLISH AND SPANISH APLUS! Email resume [email protected] or fax to 410-732-3663.No phone calls please.
General EmploymentBE PART OF SOMETHINGBIG IN 2015 Join our Teamand Start Enjoying: Competit-ive Compensation Weekly Bo-nus Opportunities Advance-ment Opportunities FriendlyWork Environment It?s a NewYear, Time to Start your NEWCAREER Call 410-616-0615BAR PERSON NEEDED forGreektown Tavern. Nightsand weekends. Oconnors Li-quors Apply in person atOconnors. 4801 Eastern Av-enue, Baltimore, MD 21224PRE-SCHOOL TEACHER inTowson. Must have at least90 hour certificate. Immediates t a r t . S e n d r e s u m e t [email protected] orcall 410-494-9690.
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Apartments for RentFOR RENT BAYVIEW AREA1br apt. Brand new kitchen,$750 mnth. Call 443-223-2131
BAYVIEW AREA- 2nd floor, 1BR. $800 mnth plus $800 fordeposit. Utils included. Nopets. 410-866-5260WHITE HALL 1Br apt beauti-ful country setting, 14 woodedacres, w/w, Thermapane win-dows, deck $850/mo incl utils.410-409-9369
MERCHANDISE FOR SALE
Flea MarketSUNDAY BAZAAR HowardCounty Fairgrds Sun, April12.9am-3pm craf ts, f lea,flowers,food household, col-lectible Antiques, sport equip.Etc?12?x12? booth info.www.HCSbazaar.com
For SaleA-1 FIREWOOD Seasonedoak . $165 per .5 co rd ,$225/cord. $60 extra to stack.Call 443-686-1567
BALTIMORE BC84801953BR Town home. Updated kitchen & appliances. Freshly painted. Lg closet in master BR. Spacious yard for entertaining. Bonus rm for family
or game rm. Just move your furniture in. Home Sweet Home!! Centrally located to major roads. Plenty of parking and storage.
BALTIMORE BC8481005Home full of old world charm w/architectural details throughout. Spacious living. Features wood burning stove, rare find w/attached garage. Screened porch for out door entertaining. Tons of storage. Landscaped corner lot. Great price. It won’t last long.
BALTIMORE BC8483292Lovingly maintained Mays Chapel Condo. 2BR, 2 Full BA. Best price in the community. NEW CARPET, FRESH PAINT. Large master BR w/walk in
closet & Full Master BA feat. dual sinks. Spacious laundry room w/storage. Great view from the balcony. Only minutes from I 83.
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BALTIMORE BC8485908Lovely home with newer. Gourmet Kitchen, 4 bedroom , 4 full baths with lovely finished lower level Large rear deck. This house is great for all your entertaining needs.
BALTIMORE BA8490260Highlandtown - Great 3 bedroom (1 pass through) home. Very clean and Priced to sell. Trendy exposed brick wall in the dining room. Large eat in kitchen. Spacious living room. Covered front porch and fenced rear yard. Partially finished lower level.
BALTIMORE BA8498223Spacious 1 bedroom 1 bath 2nd floor apartment in single family home.
BALTIMORE BA8499285Extremely large 2 bedroom 1 bath apartment with wood burning Fireplace beautiful wood bar and built in china closet. Washer and Dryer in laundry room with lots of storage space. This is a must see.
BALTIMORE BC8506003This 1 bedroom 1.5 bath home is completely remodeled with new siding new windows,new drywall new carpet new c/a and heat.House has water view and 2 car garage. This
home is a must see.
BALTIMORE BC8509917 Rosedale 4 br Colonial w/2.5 ba located in a cul de sac. Features crown molding, chair molding, architectural columns, hw floors, family rm, gas fp & lg deck. Master br, master ba w/dual vanities,
2 closets, jetted tub. Minutes to Franklin Sq. Hospital, I695, I95.
BALTIMORE BC8525946This is a lovely 4 bedroom home with a den has a huge eat in kitchen with beautiful hardwood floors in the living room. Home has a large deck on a corner lot for all of your entertaining needs. No smoking. No pets.
BALTIMORE CITY BA8525215Seller to verify zoned b-2-2 open floor plan with front, back and side entrances. Upstairs apartment 2br/1ba with separate outside entrance. All appliances convey. Historical tax credit in place, great location! Close to
Patterson Park and Canton. Open your business on one level and live on the second level. Call owner directly for showings.
HARFORD HR8500639Many advantages w/5BR, 3BA home also zoned B-3 commercial. Great location .04 mile from 95. Lots of space & parking. Conveniently located for
business. Huge back deck, almost 2 acre lot. Property is technically 1213 Old Mountain Rd. South but as it sits it is 1213 Mountain Rd.
BALTIMORE CITY BA8513330This is an estate sale to be sold AS IS with great view of downtown.
BALTIMORE CITY BA8513759Beautiful corner bar with exposed brick wall. Owner’s suite above the bar or it could be used as an office. Includes steamer, game machines, and much, much more. This is a must see.
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BALTIMORE BC8473911Corner lot, large fenced yard, newer siding covered porch, large country kitchen w/lots of cabinets & counter space. Basement water proofed with drain system & sump pumps, reconstructed sub footing. Possible
4th BR on 2nd level. Seller is willing to help with some closing.
BALTIMORE BC8486695Remodeled from top to bottom. Large lot, Gourmet kitchen w/updated appliances, granite counter tops, vaulted ceiling & recessed lighting. 2 BA, hardwood floors throughout main level. Tons of storage in house & in the garage.
This is a great house. It won’t last long. You will love this home.
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