Update on Ladder Truck in Eastport

ECA donated $2500 to the Eastport Volunteer Fire Department as a way to say "Thanks" to the VFD for purchasing the new ladder truck. Thanks to Chief Stokes and the Eastport Volunteer Fire Department for making this happen. Our donation, presented to Betty Pilkerton, President of the Eastport Fire Company, at the cookout last week (photo above), also served as a kickoff to the next fund raising campaign for new equipment to serve Eastport.

Story as published in The Capital on August 18:

City Hall: Partnership secures ladder truck for VFD
By Rhonda Wardlaw, for The Capital

The Eastport Volunteer Fire Department has a new ladder truck. Despite losing $1 million originally set aside for a new truck when the fiscal year 2011 budget was cut, a partnership between the Eastport Volunteer Fire Department and Annapolis Fire Chief David L. Stokes made the difference.

In 2009, the Annapolis Fire Department purchased a used 1989 ladder truck for $10,000 when it was determined that its 1991 ladder truck had several mechanical problems that would cost more to repair then what the truck was worth. The department's intent was to use the 1989 ladder truck until it could be replaced in the fiscal year 2011 budget. However, budget cuts forced the department to switch gears. The department learned that the Dover, Del., Volunteer Fire Department was selling its 2001 ladder truck. Deputy Chief Doug Remaley and a representative from the Eastport VFD traveled to Dover to inspect the truck and were pleased to find the truck in excellent condition with just 16,000 miles.

Knowing the city could not afford to buy the ladder truck, Chief Stokes approached the volunteers at Eastport about making the purchase. The group graciously provided $175,000 toward the purchase of the ladder truck. The Annapolis Fire Department chipped in $35,000 from state grants and the vehicle was delivered on Thursday.

While the original asking price for the 2001 ladder truck was $250,000, Annapolis secured it for $210,000 with a trade in of the old 1989 truck, valued at $5,000.

Chief Stokes calls this purchase a "win-win situation." He said, "We got an upgraded truck that will increase the efficiency of the fire department and the safety of our firefighters without using funds from city taxpayers."

ECA President Vic Pascoe had brought up concern about the ladder truck in Eastport moving to the Forest Drive station last year. The truck is now back at the Eastport station and is being staffed when possible using available resources.

While not ideal, this is better than not having a truck in Eastport, and Chief Stokes is committed to moving staff to Eastport whenver there is capacity to do so from other stations. Stokes reports that since July 1, there has been available staff about 70 percent of the time in case this ladder truck were to be called into service. Eastport also is serviced by the new County Fire Station on Bay Ridge Road, the City station on Forest Drive and by the Navy Fire Department.

Mayor Invites Support for Nationally Recognized
City Flower Program

Two August fundraisers to benefit 13-year beautification effort

Annapolis, Md. (08-10-10) -- Mayor Joshua J. Cohen invites residents and visitors of Annapolis to attend two fundraisers this month that benefit the Annapolis Flower Program, a nationally recognized beautification initiative that is supported by businesses and the City.

The second annual Annapolis Tomato Festival will take place on Saturday, Aug. 28, from noon to 6 p.m., at Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville with proceeds going to fund the beautiful hanging flower baskets and flower pots throughout Annapolis. As part of this event, organizers will hold the inaugural Chesapeake Chili Cook-Off, sponsored by Xfinity, What's Up Media, Bud Light, Commerce First, WRNR and Ledo Pizza. Several Annapolis businesses are among the competitors: Galway Bay, Stan & Joe's Saloon, Rams Head and Latin Quarter. This family-friendly event offers chili samples, salsa and tomato tastings, live music and entertainment, including cooking demonstrations. There is still time to register for the salsa, chili cook-off and pizza-eating contests.

Tickets to the event are $10 each or $25 for a family of four. Children under 10 are free. Tickets may be purchased at Homestead Gardens or call 410-798-5000 for more information. Visit www.bloominannapolis.com for all contestant rules and guidelines.

Also this month, the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce is holding the Bloomin' Annapolis Mixer on Thursday, Aug. 26 to benefit the flower program. The event is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and will include live music by Dan Haas, food and drinks and a silent auction. Tickets are $30 in advance; $40 at the door (tax deductible). For more information, call the chamber at 410-266-3960 or visit www.aaaccc.org.

Through a public-private venture that supports the program, nearly 300 flower hanging baskets and oversized flower pots adorn Annapolis during the spring and summer months, adding ambience and vibrancy to the City's rich historical tapestry. Earlier this year, Forbes magazine named Annapolis one of the America's 10 most beautiful cities for the third consecutive year.

Business owners, the mayor and the City Council believe the flowers provide an added attraction that helps spur economic development. Dozens of businesses have contributed this year to maintaining the flower program, which faces additional costs of replacing hanging baskets after 13 years of use. Notable sponsors include ARINC and CommerceFirst Bank. A full sponsor list is posted on www.bloominannapolis.com.

"The downtown flower initiative is fundamentally a powerful economic development tool. The flowers add so much to the downtown experience, and in so doing they create more vivid memories that bring visitors back to our city again and again," Mayor Cohen said. "Despite its benefits, this is an initiative that City Hall cannot and should not fully fund on its own, especially during these difficult economic times. I commend the business sponsors for their financial support of this public-private partnership, and encourage all Annapolitans to support these fundraisers, and more importantly, to support our local businesses."

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NOTE: ECA has contributed $1000 to the program.

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5th Annual Eastport Home & Garden Tour Best Attendance Yet! read more

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Help Fill Backpacks for Needy Kids

This summer marked the 17th year the Junior League of Annapolis, Inc. (JLA) has provided 1,000 children in Anne Arundel County with their school supplies for the year. This past  summer, with your help, we provided backpacks filled with schools supplies to students at Harman Elementary, Brock Bridge Elementary, Maryland City Elementary, Tyler Heights Elementary, Georgetown East Elementary, and Marley Elementary schools.

1. You can purchase bookbags (We suggest shoppping at Five Below) and drop them off at the JLA office.
2. You can make a monetary donation through our JLA website (www.jlannapolis.org - Projects-It's Educational-Pack a Bag)
3. Or... you can purchase bookbags online at a fantastic discount and they will be shipped directly us! Go to this website: school-bags.com and upon checking out use the discount code JLA20, and you'll get 20% off their already low prices. This is the easiest way to support our program!

Email Heather DeBuse if you have questions.

Please help us collect the following school supplies to fill the backpacks:

• Loose Leaf Paper (Wide Ruled)
• Glue bottles
• Washable Markers (8 Count)
• Crayons (12 &/or 24)
• Index Cards, lined 3x5
• Dry Erase Markers
• Glue Sticks
• Pink Big Erasers
• Black & White Composition Note Books
• Red pens
• Spiral NB 1-subject (Wide Ruled)
• Plastic Folders
• Pencil Case (Zippered)
• Pencil Box
• Pocket Folders (plastic and regular)
• Post It notes (3 x 3)
• Pocket Folders w/Prongs (preferably red & blue)
• Rulers (in and cm)
• Fiskars Scissors (Blunt)
• Colored Pencils
• Highlighters
• Book Bag, not rolling

Help Annapolis Continue to Bloom
Adopt a Pot!

As you know, City funds for the beautiful hanging flowers and potted flowers have all but dried up. It's up to private citizens and organizations to keep the blooms alive this summer and in the future.

ECA gave $1000 toward the program, but private citizens can put a more personal touch on the effort by adopting a specific pot.

This flower program is labor-intensive and requires daily maintenance to keep the containers looking their best. In the past, city government, business groups, and individual contributions have kept this program alive. Now cuts in funding have rendered many of our pots orphans. A donation of $275 gives a pot life from May through October and gentle loving care.

Help to preserve and grow the City of Flowers by the Bay program by making a tax-deductible donation today. As a donor you will receive an official sponsor Annapolis Bloomin' decal for your window, proudly proclaiming that you sponsor the Annapolis-Eastport Flower Program.

You can select the specific pot you adopt. Read more.

Community Garden in Eastport

Hi All! FoodLink, the University of Maryland's Co-op Extension Grow It Eat It Campaign, and HACA are working together to start a new community garden in Eastport, behind Eastport Terrace. The HACA Director has approved it and we are now going to be moving quickly to get things growing.

This is a really great opportunity for all those who are interested in gardening, growing food, learning how to grow food and getting more involved in creating relationships that span the many differences in the Eastport community.

FoodLink will donate the plants, till the ground, set up the fencing, etc. Grow It Eat It will help educate gardeners about gardening and about how to use what is grown. All that's left is the people on the ground, to help plant and then take care of the gardens. It will be a 70'x40' plot, located in the field adjacent to the existing ball field at Eastport Terrace.

The ideal is that this will be a true community garden, with residents of all of Eastport working together. If you know a lot about gardening, your experience would be invaluable. if you know nothing, this would be a great opportunity to learn. We hope to get children involved by having a separate children's plot in the space and we are hoping to work with other groups, such as the Eastport Girls Club, to get teens involved as well.

I look forward to hearing from you if you are interested!

Jess
410-916-5500

Sponsor Kids in the EYC’s Learn to Sail Program

The ECA has joined the Eastport Yacht Club (EYC) in sponsoring six kids in the EYC’s Learn to Sail Program. The children, who are students at Eastport Elementary School selected by the School’s Principal, will receive sailing gear (shoes, a hat, towel, etc.) through a $250 donation by the ECA. You too can “adopt a kid” this summer to provide their supplies for the Learn to Sail Program, or for the other summer camp programs that the ECA supports, by donating to the ECA and directing your donation for that use. For instance, the sailing gear costs $35/kid, while attendance at summer camps costs $350-$500/child. Please consider donating any amount you can to help make our local kids’ summer a special experience!

Careful with the Census

Following info was provided by Van Nield...

With the U.S. Census process beginning, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises people to be cooperative, but cautious, so as not to become a victim of fraud or identity theft.

The first phase of the 2010 U.S. Census is under way as workers have begun verifying the addresses of households across the country. Eventually, more than 140,000 U.S. Census workers will count every person in the United States and will gather information about every person living at each address including name, age, gender, race, and other relevant data.

The big question is: How do you tell the difference between a U.S. Census worker and a Con Artist?

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers the following advice:

If a U.S. Census worker knocks on your door, he or she will have the following:

1. a badge
2. a hand held device
3. a Census Bureau canvas bag
4. a confidentiality notice

Ask to see their identification and the worker's badge before answering his or her questions. However, you should never invite anyone you don't know into your home.

Census workers are currently only knocking on doors to verify address information. Do not give your Social Security number, credit card or banking information to anyone, even if he or she claims it is needed it for the U.S. Census.

While the Census Bureau might ask for basic financial information, such as a salary range, it will not ask for Social Security, bank account, or credit card numbers nor will employees solicit donations.

Eventually, Census workers may contact you by telephone, mail, or in person at home. However, they will not contact you by Email, so be on the lookout for Email scams impersonating the Census. Never click on a link or open any attachments in an Email that are supposedly from the U.S. Census Bureau.

To Recap: How to Protect Yourself - Follow these Rules

1. Census workers will carry a badge, a hand held device, a Census Bureau canvas bag, and a confidentiality notice. Make sure to ask them for their badges and identification before talking to them!

2. Census workers will not ask for Social Security numbers, Bank Account Numbers, Credit Card Numbers, or any specific account information!

3. Census workers will not solicit for donations. Do not give anyone any money!

4. Census Workers will not contact you by email. Do not respond to anyone claiming to be with the US Census by email!

5. Don't invite them into your home!

Clip Your Box Tops & Help Our Local School

In addition to clipping box tops to earn cash for Eastport Elementary (boxtops4education.com), you can also support the school when you shop online and when you buy books at Barnes & Noble. Through the Box Tops Marketplace (btfe.com/marketplace), up to 8 percent of each qualifying online purchase is donated to Eastport Elementary. There is no additional cost to you in making the purchase. When you purchase books from Barnes & Noble through Box Tops Reading Room, Eastport Elementary receives 6 percent of the purchase price of your books. For more information about these programs, e-mail Beth Schmelzer (517 Burnside Street) at schmelzb@comcast.net.

Want To Know More About Your Neighborhood School?

If you live in Eastport (or are thinking of living here), have little kids (or are thinking of having them), and have started thinking about where they will go to school, please consider learning more about Eastport Elementary School. As you know, this is our community's elementary school, located in the heart of Eastport and offering education to local children from pre-K through 5th grade. What you may not know is how great the school is — just look at the results as demonstrated by the recent Maryland School Assessment (MSA) testing results from this past spring:

• Eastport Elementary School achieved the largest gain on any single MSA test, with a 40.4% increase in fifth-grade reading.
• 100% of EES third graders (and 97% of 4th graders!) met the proficiency requirements in math on the MSAs.
• All other MSA scores are in the 80 - 100% range.

These results are due in part to the fantastic leadership that Principal Evans has brought to the school, so we are fortunate to have the opportunity to meet with her in person. Several MRE Moms and Dads have been volunteering at the school for the last few years and we've been very impressed by what we've seen. Come check it out for yourself! For more information, contact me at kathslat@aol.com.

--Kathleen Booth, Eastport Elementary Volunteer

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Dispose of the Hazardous Materials Responsibly

Do you have hazardous waste, such as oil-based paints, staining agents, paint solvents, pesticides, household and automotive cleaners, oil and antifreeze contaminated with water or other products, pool chemicals, gasoline, kerosene and other fuels, thermometers, thermostats, fluorescent light tubes/bulbs, mercury vapor lamps, and asbestos? Anne Arundel County will accept these and similar materials for proper disposal. Read more...

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Stay up to Date on the Maryland Environment

You can subscribe to the Department of Natural Resources' e-newsletter and learn about conservation, recreation and upcoming events related to the environment. To sign up, click here and scroll down to the "Get our FREE Email Newsletter" box. To see the latest newsletter, click here.

Results of Survey on Residential Overlay

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