November Gardening

By David R. Sinclair

It’s November and we’ve been receiving some mixed signals from Mother Nature regarding weather. Whether it’s frost, rain, or temps in the mid-seventies gardeners should begin to pull their fall crops as the temperatures slowly drop throughout the month. You can still plant rhubarb into the middle of the month, and even some garlic cloves to root during the winter. This is a great time for a cold frame to protect “salad” crops from the occasional nighttime dip into the thirties, and to shield from the surplus rain. Use the falling leaves to winter-over asparagus. Continue any soil preparation for the spring with compost and additional lime & sulfur. Plant some Winter Rye in empty beds to make the soil more friable and add organic matter.

Email dave@charmcitygardens.com with any questions or comments.

Meeting Next Monday at 7:30. Don’t forget to renew Memberships!

Membership Application-November 2009-October 2010

Membership Application to

The Paradise Community Association, Inc.

Membership Year: November 2009 to October 2010

Mail to: Paradise Community Association, Inc., P.O. Box 21245, Catonsville MD 21228

Name(s): ________________________________________________

Address: ________________________________________________

Phone Number: ___________________________________________

E-mail: _________________________________________________

Signature: _______________________________________________

Dues: $15.00 per household per year for residents under the age of 60, $7.00 per household per year for residents age 60 and older, and $25.00 per year for businesses located within the Paradise community boundaries (non-voting status.)

I want to make an additional donation to the Paradise Community Association in the amount of: _____________

Please include this completed form with your payment, even if you are renewing your membership. Checks should be made payable to the Paradise Community Association, Inc. Thanks for your support!

Who You Gonna Call for Zoning and Code Issues?

Information compiled by David R. Sinclair

Recently, some Paradise residents have raised questions regarding lawns, alleys, rats, road construction, new home construction, and the increased volume of neighborhood home foreclosures – and the upkeep of their property.  Often such issues are relevant zoning and code compliance topics.  Where to direct concerns can be confusing. The Baltimore Co. Code phone number (general code) for Complaints & Enforcement is (410) 887-3351.

Zoning -Zoning issues generally pertain to land use.  The area within Paradise is zoned as Residential (DR 5.5, 10.5, or 16 which represent units per acre) and Business Local (BL).  DR 10.5 & 16 can be found primarily north of Frederick Road, DR 5.5 & 10.5 can be found primarily south of Frederick Road, and BL near the intersection of Frederick Rd. and Paradise Ave.  There is an excellent interactive map that outlines cite-specific zoning within our area located at Baltimore County’s website: www.baltimorecountymd.gov. For general zoning information call (410) 887-3391.

New Development Issues -When concerns arose over local government discussion to increase the density zoning in areas south of Frederick Rd., the Paradise Community Association (PCA) directed these concerns toward Sam Moxley & Jim Smith at the county council. The county council also worked with the PCA regarding concerns during the development of Paradise Village. If you have further or similar issues, please contact Department of Permits and Development Management Code Enforcement at (410) 887-3373.

Flood Management, Drainage, and Mosquitoes – Most recently, Paradise residents have expressed disdain over the drainage pond at the development, specifically that the scum water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Flood management, drainage ponds, and mosquitoes are now established land use issues that can be taken to Department of Permits and Development Management Code Enforcement (410) 887-3373.

Road/Alleys – Residents continue to voice concern over road and alley issues. Road/Alley repair & maintenance should be directed to the Department of Public Works (410) 887-3300.

Rodents – (County Code § 13-7-301 Subtitle 3) Keeping an area rat free is the responsibility of the resident, rat-proofing of new construction is the responsibility of the developer. Animal control will not come out to take care of a specific rat issue.  If there’s an issue in your neighborhood, work with your neighbors or contact the code enforcement anonymously at (410) 887-RATS. Keep trash solely in covered trashcans.  Google “Rid Rats Program” to get some good preventative information on the county’s web site.

Weed Control – (County Code § 13-7-401 Subtitle 4) Property upkeep and lawns is also a growing issue with the increased amount of foreclosures.  Growth of grass, weeds, or other rank vegetation is not to exceed a height of one foot.  Citations will be issued when a complaint is filed.  “Persons in control” of the property have to be in compliance of a notice within 5 days.  After 7 days the lawn will be cut by the County, at the expense of the “person in control”.  If unpaid, a lien will be placed on the property.  If you’re able, work with your neighbors to keep foreclosure lawns at a manageable height.  Issues regarding weed control should be directed to the Department of Public Works (410) 887-3300.

I hope this helps dispel some of the confusion on who to call for Zoning and Code issues.

Local News From September PCA Meeting and Beyond

• Police Beat- Officer Rubie spoke about specific burglary incidents. He reminded residents to look for school buses. He can be reached at wrubie@baltimorecounty.md.gov
• Memberships Due– All memberships are due November 1^st of each year. Please remember to renew your membership or consider becoming a new member today.
• Nominations- Officer nominations began at the September meeting. We are still in need of a nomination for Secretary and there is a slot open for another board member nomination.
• Historian – Mary Claire Jeske volunteered to be the historian and keep paper records at her house. It was suggested these records be scanned and kept digitally. To volunteer to scan a few documents please contact the editor at amberleescott@yahoo.com
• New Market Court- It is official! New Market Court has been voted into our association. Welcome new neighbors!
• PO Box Change- Please note that the PO Box number for the PCA has changed to 21245.

President’s Corner-October 2009

By Dennis Healy

This is my last column as President of the PCA.  It has been a great experience meeting and helping the local residents of Paradise.  I would encourage all of you to attend this month’s meeting, October 19th, and vote for your next President.  This is also the month to renew your yearly membership.

The PCA has voted to accept the residents of New Market Court into our Association.  Welcome to all, and I encourage you to attend our monthly meetings.

The weather has changed which reminds me to remind all of the community to get prepared for a cold winter.  Don’t forget that it is your responsibility to clean off sidewalks after the leaves have fallen, and also to remove any snow that may accumulate.

Once again, it has been a privilege to serve as President and I’ll see you at future meetings.

Thanks,

Dennis Healy

October Gardening

By David R. Sinclair

Temperatures are dropping and summer crops are no longer producing and should be pulled and composted.  If your tomatoes likely acquired the late blight fungus, don’t compost those plants – trash them.  Fall crops should be in the ground: Radish, Broccoli, Kale, Onion, Turnips, and Lettuce.  Plant Garlic, Rhubarb, Shallots, and Evergreens.  Now is a good time to create a “cold frame” to extend your growing season later into the fall and past the early frosts.  Cold frames can be as simple as 4 bails of hay with an old window in the middle or as complex as a miniature green house.   If you’re not doing any fall crops you can prep your garden for next year.  If you’re planning a new garden, pick a sunny area of your yard, cut and invert sod and cover it with around 12 inches of soil.  Test your pH, shoot for a level of 6.8 with limestone or sulfur.  Churn in 2 to 3 inches of cow or horse manure.  As leaves begin to fall, collect and pile them on the garden to add to decomposition.

Email dave@charmcitygardens.com with any questions or comments.

Pictures of our Home-Paradise, MD

Carole Aine Langrall sent me these great pictures and had this to say:

“I just read the Paradise newsletter for August where you mentioned having residents send you pictures of the area. I reside in Paradise (Ridge Rd) and own a floral design studio that has garnered much local press with publications like Baltimore Magazine, City Paper and Style Magazine. We worked on the Catonsville beautification project this spring.

Recently, I have been working on a project where I take photos of nature and gardens that are either neglected, hidden from sight or taken for granted. It’s been a joy for me to find beauty in my own back yard, and I’d like to share some of these images with you and other residents.

I write an on-line blog about this very subject matter, please visit:
http://neglectedbeauty.blogspot.com/

Hope you enjoy!”

Spring Wildflowers at exit 13, 2009

Irises in garden planted anonymously behind Paradise 7-11, 2008

Bathtub in Paradise

Birds in Paradise

Wild Grapevine on Winters Lane, Catonsville-9.09

Last Call for Newsletter Submissions

Please send all newsletter submissions to amberleescott@yahoo.com by Sunday, October, 11th. Please write “PCA newsletter” in the subject line.

Don’t forget about the October meeting Monday, 19th at 7:30.

Thanks,

Amber

Still Looking for Some Nominations

I think the meeting went well last night. There are some good people being nominated. There are still two positions that do not have ANY nominations.

1.) Secretary- This position takes notes at regular meetings and board meetings. Prints them out for the next meeting and makes sure the editor gets a copy for the newsletter.

2.) Board Member-this is the voice of the community and sits in on special projects and commits to Board meetings.

Thanks to all who came out and to everyone who is reading this page or the Facebook page. I feel the community involvement mounting. Thanks for making our community a true Paradise!