Bolton Hill Notes

Next BHCA meeting moved to Nov. 10

Because the first-Tuesday regular schedule coincided with Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3, BHCA’s next virtual monthly board meeting has been pushed back a week to Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 8 p.m.  Everyone, not just board members, are invited to attend. The Zoom link for the meeting will be emailed with the meeting agenda through the Bolton Hill Email Network and can also be requested by emailing webmaster@boltonhillmd.org.

Mfume opens nearby district office

The area’s new Congressman, Kweisi Mfume, has opened a district office on the south edge of Bolton Hill, taking over space formerly occupied by his predecessor, the late Rep. Elijah Cummings.  It’s located at 1010 Park Ave. Suite 105,  and the phone number is 410 685-9199.  Mfume is serving out Cummings’s incomplete term and is a candidate for a full term in the Nov. 3 general election.

Ban on utility shutoffs extends to Nov. 15

The Maryland Public Service Commission has prohibited residential utility service terminations through Nov. 15, responding to the economic impact of  the COVID-19 pandemic on customers and utility finances.  Residential customers in arrears have 45 days from receipt of a notice to work out a payment plan with their utility or to apply for energy assistance programs.  Utilities cannot require a down payment or deposit as a condition of beginning a payment plan.  More information here.

Artists open their studios next weekend

The 32nd annual Baltimore Open Studio Tour takes place, online of course, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25.  This year the tour will feature studio tours, artist talks, demos, performances and art exhibitions on Baltimore’s Office of Promotion &  the Arts Facebook page.  The artists and galleries will showcase graphic art, woodwork, dance, glassblowing, textiles, and more.  Baltimore Open Studio Tour is an annual showcase of artist studios throughout Baltimore City held each October as part of Free Fall Baltimore and presented by BGE and Maryland State Arts Council. 

Baltimore Wall of Pride being refurbished

The Baltimore Wall of Pride mural at 1611 N. Carey St., a short walk west from Bolton Hill, was originally painted between 1976-1977 by Pontella Mason and Avon Martin, and restored and re-imagined in 1992 by Mason, his wife Deborah and others.  The original mural was dedicated at a public celebration by former president Jimmy Carter.  This year the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts began installation of a new Wall of Pride mural by artist Ernest Shaw at the same location.  The Baltimore Mural Program worked closely with Deborah Mason and community stakeholders to re-imagine the Wall of Pride.  It is nearly complete.