Frederick in Spring - Baker Park

I know it's time to write something about how the housing market it doing in Frederick County, and I will soon. But in the meanwhile, the weather is fantastic, and taking breaks from the delightfully hectic spring real estate market takes me directly to Baker Park. These photos show you what a great place it is to wander around!

This guy didn't move when I got within 5 feet.
He even turned around the other way so I could get his best side!

Flower Compositions

On a walk downtown in Frederick recently I saw a number of really nice flower compositions.  I will add more as I come across them. 

Got Yoga!

Someone recently asked me if we have Yoga in Frederick. YES. Here are a few of the places where you can take yoga classes.

The Center of the  Four Winds Studio  http://www.theunschoolofyoga.org/
http://www.theunschoolofyoga.org/#!class-schedule/cln2

Ananda Shala
http://www.anandashala.com/
http://www.anandashala.com/regular-classes.php

YMCA
https://frederickymca.org/
http://frederickymca.org/programs/health-wellness/mind-body

Sol Yoga

http://www.solyoga.org/
http://www.solyoga.org/classes.html

Center for Mind Body Therapies
http://cmbt.net
http://cmbt.net/groups-classes-workshops/

Unity Church
http://www.unityfrederick.org/
http://www.unityfrederick.org/calendar/classes

Om Chakra
http://www.omchakra.com/
http://www.omchakra.com/media/workshops

Frederick Memorial Hospital
http://www.fmh.org/exercise

Yoga in the Library
http://www.fcpl.org/programs/programs-events/yoga-library

There are other places as well - just Google: Frederick MD Yoga.

Downtown Frederick FAQ: Can I Restore A Fireplace in a Historic Home in Frederick?

Question: Can I restore the fireplace in a historic home in Frederick City?

Answer  by Todd Himes, Building Department Manager for the City of Frederick.  “Wood burning as well as gas fireplaces are allowed in the downtown area. The installation of any new wood burning or gas fireplace would require a building permit. Most renovations / restoration work would require a building permit (depending on the actual work being performed) as well. If the property is located in the Historic District, HPC approval would be required for any work being performed on the exterior, such as but not limited to new/renovation to chimneys, flue pipes, spark arrestors, re-pointing, etc. If the structural integrity of the existing structure (floor) that is supporting the fireplace and/or chimney is of concern, it is recommended that the structure be inspected by a licensed professional engineer or a licensed and qualified contractor. As with any fireplace and especially one that has been setting dormant for a number of years, they should always be inspected by a licensed and qualified chimney sweep, before using the fireplace.”

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E-News from City of Frederick - May 2015: Carmack Jays, Fly In, Earth Month, Bells Across the Nation, Gangs, Arbor Day

Don't miss the great information found in City of Frederick's May 2015 e-Newsletter, which is re-posted here. If you have any questions or suggestions, direct them to Susan Harding, the Public Information Coordinator, and author of the newsletter: susan@cityoffrederick.com. The topics for this month's newsletter are shown below and the articles follow. See the e-Newsletter archives for other issues.  ~ Darcy Richards

Contents:

1. Talk to the Mayor Tuesdays
2. Community Meeting Scheduled to Discuss Vacant Carmack Jays Property
3.  Bike to Work Day 2015 Freedom Summer Pass from TransIT
4.  2015 Beyond the Garden Gates Garden Tour
5.  2015 AOPA Fly In  Saturday, June 6th
6.  Annual Drinking Water Quality Report  Now Available
7.  Department of Parks & Recreation Summer Camps, Farmers' Markets & More
8.  Weinberg Center for the Arts Upcoming Events May  Highlights
9. Earth Month 2015 Watershed Cleanup
10. Arbor Day 2015 City Named Tree City USA for 35th Year
11. Bells Across the Nation  & Illuminating Frederick 1865 - From Celebration to Grief - A look back at the celebrations
12. News from the Frederick Police Department
13.  Neighborhood Advisory Council Presentation on "Gangs in Frederick"
14.  Residential Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event

[Please excuse the pop up windows covering some of the text below.. this is something new and I'm not sure how to get rid of it. Let me know if you have any suggestions! :-) - Darcy] Sign-Up Today! In This Issue Talk to the Mayor Tuesdays Community Meeting Carmack Jays Property Bike to Work Day 2015 Beyond the Garden Gate Garden Tour AOPA Fly In June 6th Annual Drinking Water Quality Report Summer Camps, Farmers' Markets Weinberg Center Lineup Earth Hour Activities Arbor Day 2015 Bells across the Nation/Illuminating Frederick FPD News - Coffee with a Cop & more Gangs in Frederick - NAC Presentation Hazard Waste Drop-Off Event Alert System Upgrade Job Opportunities Memorial Day Closures City Hall will be closed on Monday, May 25th Wm. Talley Fitness Center & ALL Parks & Rec offices will be closed   Sunday, May 24th  Monday, May 25th      Frederick County to Upgrade "Alert Frederick County" Notification System *IMPORTANT MESSAGE  FOR EXISTING USERS  On May 6th, Frederick County will be upgrading the Alert Frederick County notification system. After May 6th, existing Alert Frederick County customers should go to FrederickCountyAlert and follow the instructions for existing users.  You will need to log in and verify your information to complete the upgrade. All City & County residents are encourage to register for alerts at FrederickCountyAlert Carroll Creek Park Update And the work continues!  To see the progress, visit DED blog.   To find out what's happening in your City watch City Cable Channel 99! Visit monthly schedule for a complete listing of  programs on City Cable Channel 99. The following videos were produced by the City's AV Department Child Abuse Prevention Illuminating Frederick 1865 Parks & Rec Summer Camps City Issues - An interview with Rick Johnson, Manager of Frederick Municipal Airport   FPD's  Auxiliary Unit  City Board/Commission Vacancies Fair Housing Board  Plumbing Board Building Code Appeals Board Airport Commission "Citizen Representative" Planning Commission For more information, contact Amber Grimes at 301-600-1453 or email.   Quick Links The City of Frederick Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) City Boards & Commissions City Charter & Code City Cable Channel 99 61st Administration  of The City of Frederick   Mayor   Randy McClement  301-600-1380 Executive Assistant to the Mayor Nikki Bamonti 301-600-3835 Aldermen Kelly Russell President Pro-Tem 301-600-2966 Michael O'Connor 301-600-1386 Phil Dacey 301-600-1632 Josh Bokee 301-600-1863 Donna Kuzemchak 301-600-1382 Legislative Assistant to the Aldermen Lauren O'Malley 301-600-1184 61st Administration Board, Commission & Committee Assignments   Downtown Frederick Partnership  It's what's happening! To find out what the Downtown Frederick Partnership has planned for the 2015 season visit: Fun in Downtown Upcoming Events   Alive @ Five May 14th, 21st, 28th 5 - 8 PM Carroll Creek    Shopping, Dining and the Arts Frederick...The Key to the Heart of Maryland. For more information visit Tourism Connect with The City     May 2015 "Talk to the Mayor Tuesdays" Mayor McClement has set aside the 4th Tuesday of each month from 2-6 p.m. to meet informally with citizens to discuss topics or issues of their choice. The next Talk with the Mayor Tuesday will be May 26th. The Mayor's office is located in City Hall at 101 North Court St.  No appointment is necessary and citizens meet with the Mayor on a first come; first serve basis. For details, contact Nikki Bamonti: 301-600-3835 or nbamonti@cityoffrederick.com Community Meeting Scheduled to Discuss Vacant Carmack Jays Property The City of Frederick will host a community meeting to discuss development options for 331 N. Market St., formerly Carmack Jays. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 13th from 7:00 - 8:30 PM in Conference Room C of the Municipal Annex Building, on140 West Patrick Street. "I highly encourage residents to attend this meeting so your thoughts and ideas can be heard by Douglas Development Corporation. The City would like to see this building move forward to a productive use and be a viable asset to the area," said Mayor Randy McClement. Bike to Work Day 2015 Freedom Summer Pass from TransIT Bike to Work Day Pre-Registration Party - Friday, May 8th from 5-8 PM  at The Bicycle Escape located in the Clemson Corner Shopping Center, 7820 Worman's Mill Rd. BTWD T-shirt, free bike safety check and more! Bike to Work Day - Friday, May 15th - Rain or Shine  Ceremonial Ride - Riders should meet at Hood College Alumnae Hall at 6:30 AM for the traditional ride to City Hall then on to the BTWD festivities. BTWD Festivities 6:30 - 8:30 AM at the TransIT Center (MARC Train Station) 100 South East St.  -  Fun, Food, Prizes & Camaraderie! Register at www.biketoworkmetrodc or call 1-800-745-7433 TransIT's Summer Freedom Pass for Youth Ages 13-22! The annual Summer Freedom Pass allows youth ages 13 - 22 to ride all TransIT Connector and shuttles routes from June 1 to August 31 for just $15.00.  Go to Freedom Pass or call 301-600-2065.   2015 Beyond the Garden Gates Garden Tour Beyond the Garden Gates Garden Tour -May 16th & 17th from1:00-5:00 PM This self guided tour features ten of Frederick's finest gardens. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 the day of the tour. Tickets may be purchased  online at CelebrateFrederick.com or at convenient downtown locations.  For more information, call Celebrate Frederick at 301-600-2489 or visit CelebrateFrederick.com   The 2015 Garden Tour now offers a Bicycle Rental Ticket Package - click here for more info.   2015 AOPA Fly In Saturday, June 6th Join the AOPA (Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association) on Saturday, June 6th at Frederick Municipal Airport for the annual AOPA Fly In.  A family fun day that is free and open to the public! Watch City Issues featuring Airport Manager, Rick Johnson.   Annual Drinking Water Quality Report Now Available The City of Frederick has converted to electronic delivery of our annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) on City drinking water. The most recent report is available for viewing and printing on-line at www.cityoffrederick.com/ccr.  This annual report contains important information about the source and quality of the drinking water provided by The City of Frederick.  If you do not have Internet access and would like to request that a copy of the report be sent to you, please call 301-600-1681.   Department of Parks & Recreation Summer Camps, Farmers' Markets & More Carroll Creek Farmers' Market  June 13 - "Its all about the Berries" August 8 - "Peaches" October 3 - "Festival & Celebrating Autumn" For more information, contact Catherine Effland at 301-600-3850 or ceffland@cityoffrederick.com To find out more about Parks & Recreation Summer Camps and Activities, go to Summer 2015 Weinberg Center for the Arts Upcoming Events  May  Highlights Sonic Escape - May 7 The Rock Tenor - May 8 MMPAC Dance On - May 16 & 17 Rocky Leporte Live - May 23 For information on all upcoming events visit  Weinberg Center Website or call the Box Office 301-600-2828.   Earth Month 2015  Watershed Cleanup Who collected 1060 pounds of trash, 4 shopping carts, a massive pile of invasive vines and plants and planted 125 trees along Rock Creek at Old Camp Road on April 18th? More than 50 volunteers from the City's Green Initiative Team, Golden Mile Alliance, Friends of Waterford Park, Friends of Frederick County, Mt. St. Mary's University & Streamlink!  For more info, visit Earth Day Cleanup. Arbor Day 2015 City Named Tree City USA for 35th Year Arbor Day 2015 was celebrated at Hillcrest Elementary School on April 10th. Students and teachers presented the Arbor Day program and planted a White Oak tree.      Frederick is the only "Tree City USA" in the State of Maryland that's held the distinction for 35 years.  Tom Rippeon, City Arborist, coordinated the Arbor Day activities with Hillcrest Elementary School staff. Bells Across the Nation  & Illuminating Frederick 1865 - From Celebration to Grief   A look back at the celebrations  On April 9th at 3:15 PM, Mayor Randy McClement rang the bell in the City Hall cupola for 4 minutes commemorating the 150th anniversary of  Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House.  Click on Bells across the Nation to see how the commemoration was celebrated across the nation. April 10th brought well known author James Swanson to City Hall where he spoke to a capacity crowd on his book "The Manhunt - The Twelve Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer". The Grand Illumination followed in front of City Hall reenacting the celebration that swept over Frederick upon hearing the Civil War had ended.   To view the evening in it's entirety, go to     Illuminating Frederick 1865 - From Celebration to Grief  News from the Frederick Police Department The Bicycle Escape, located in the Clemson Corner Shopping Center,  will host the next "Coffee with a Cop" on May 8th from 8-10:00 AM. This free community event is a great opportunity to meet your City police officers. Frederick Police Department Auxiliary Unit is a valuable volunteer group of men and women who assist and provide support to the Frederick Police Department.  For more information and to see how you can volunteer, view the FPD Auxiliary video  here. Businesses and Residents - Register Your Security Camera  Local businesses and residents can help law enforcement agencies solve crime by registering their surveillance cameras with the Frederick Police Department!    Register your security camera here  Neighborhood Advisory Council Presentation on "Gangs in Frederick" Rob Marker, Gang Analyst with the Frederick Police Department, will give a presentation on "Gangs in Frederick" on Tuesday, June 2nd at 6:30 PM in the Boardroom in City Hall, 101 N. Court St. Open to the public. The Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) monthly meeting list can be found here. For more information about NACS, contact Michele Bowman, Community Outreach Coordinator at 301-600-2091 or email mbowman@frederickmdpolice.org. Residential Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event Residential Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Event Saturday, May 9th from 8:00 AM to noon at the Public Safety Training Facility located at  5370 Public Training Place. Free to Frederick City/County residents only - No businesses ...