Tag: neighbors
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Facilitating Dialogue for People-Centered Neighborhoods
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Federal Hill Main Street district designated a car-free zone around Cross Street Market to allow for more outdoor, socially-distanced dining. In contrast to the commercial corridor’s nightlife and incidents of reckless driving, the area became a locus for pro-social community building with farmers’ markets, festivals, and outdoor fitness throughout the…
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Be the DJ: 3 Steps for Making Community Engagement a Vibe
Community engagement specialists are really DJs. [Record scratch] This metaphor came to me while attending The Vision is Yours: A Regional Placemaking Forum on regional placemaking last week. 1) The DJ promotes. Before they even spin, the DJ papers street light poles with neon flyers and hypes on social media the party of the year.…
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Gateway to Vacants or Federal Hill Main Street
At the South Charles at Hamburg Street intersection, a sign reads: “Welcome to Federal Hill (c. 1788). Enjoy!” Foreshadowed with this faded sign affixed to the vacant Shofer’s Furniture Clearance Center (shuttered in 2021), Federal Hill Main Street embodies COVID-recovery challenges. On the other side of the street, the vacant Shofer’s Furniture Store and recently…
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Olive Street Block Party: Paving the Way for Connections in Your Very Own Alley
Soon after my partner and I bought our house in Federal Hill, Baltimore, our elderly neighbor (who we had not had a chance to meet) passed away. Her family then sold the property to developers. Demolition quickly began for a gut renovation…and then crickets. Or should I say rats. You see, the pandemic had just…
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“Good BaltiMorning!” CreativeMornings and Vibrant Accessibility
CreativeMornings (CM), my favorite monthly event series in 247 global cities, brings together artists, advocates, and overall curious people to draw inspiration from interdisciplinary topics. I am always excited to attend the Baltimore chapter events (volunteer-run and hosted by Kira Wisniewski). Last Friday’s (Feb. 28) event with Jen White-Johnson, a neurodivergent artist and disability community…
L. Rose Creative 