Final Farwell

I sit here and reflect on this semester and all that I have learned and all I will learn moving forward with my time at UMBC. The most important thing I learned this semester would probably be to listen to other peoples stories. I know I am from Baltimore but, my area is different from Station North. I did not grow up over there but, I went to school over there and I spend a majority of my time in the neighborhood, I say all this to say that yes it is great but, it has a much deeper meaning to it then just surface deep. I learned that not everyone hates Baltimore and that is important because without committed people Station North would not be the same. My strongest contribution to the course project would be my ability to talk to be and take an interest in someone other then myself. I love to talk and it is one of my strongest ablilities especially when I am passionate about it.

Adventure Blog #4

Saturday 9 May 2015        

     This saturady I took a trip to both Station North the business side and Greenmount West. I first stopped in Joe Squared to get some pizza to go, then I left parked my car down the street by the school district building and just walked around. Like I said in class there is a whole other side of this art district that people do not see. Its like a tale of two worlds. I know when I walked or even just ride down the street I see the differences. I hurts my heart to see that people that live in a common area can not come together. I saw the togetherness during the events that have taken place in Baltimore but, why do we have to wait for somethinh big to happen in order to bring people of all walks of life together?

Adventure Blog #3

7 May 2015 

 On Thursday before class, I decided to go to SNAC because I was hungry and I was around that way. At first I was not going to go but, I heard they had some really good food. And I love food, I will travel for food. I got the chicken and waffles. I usually do not like waffles but, they were really good. I also got a casear salad to go. Yummmm.I set in and ate, which was a pleasant change from the always on the go life style that I have. The art work on the walls is so lovely. The staff was so nice, they brought my food to me with a smile. I would go back there anytime. The food was sooooooo good. Nothing but, smiles from me.

Adventure Blog #2

Sunday 3 May, 2015

Last Sunday night I found myself back around Greenmount West because of an unfortunate event, due to something that happen to one of my friends family members. I took the opportunity to do some looking around. I stopped in front of the sign, that read "Future Site of Roberta's House" at first I thought the city was about to throw more housing up next to homes that were already there. After doing research I found out that the city plans to build a Grief and loss center for the community. I am just wondering what are they going to do with the homes next to the empty lot where this center is suppose to go. I understand that they are trying to do good for the community, but if no one trust the people coming in to the neighborhood how is this going to work? Also with a grief and loss center comes job opportunities who will these jobs be given to? Will they bring people in from somewhere or will they give the people in the community a chance? I guess we will have to see.

Coming Down to the Final Stretch!!!!!

I can not be more excited that this semester is coming to an end. It has been really an interesting semester. For the last part of the project I will be transcribing the rest of my sister's interview. Listening to it I just realized how many problems Greenmount west really have and how displacement can really hurt a community's dynamite. This interview has also gotten me to think about the past events that has happen in Baltimore. And how proud I am of the City for coming together in a time of need. Now if the city does this all the time we would be in great shape. But, we need to first impeach Ms. Stephanie because honestly she does not know what she is doing, I'm just saying. :)

The wind down of the project

This week Shamara and I have an interview with a guy named persons. I do not know how this will play out with all the destruction in the city. Also I will be transcribing my sister interview and one more this week. I am happy that we are almost done and I hope that we capture the true story of station north both the ugly and the good.

Updat about this project

This week has been a very productive on. Two other people and I listened to Linda Harrington interview and transcribed it. Her interview was very short and her focus was mainly in my opinion about Greenmount West and Charles North being separate. CJay finally got back to me today she apologized for getting me mixed up with a student for MICA. She told me if I needed something for the project just ask her. Also Tuesday at 1pm I  will be interviewing my sister, who is a resident of Greenmount west for 2 years now, about Greenmount West and the apartments that were "magical" built. So this should be interesting. In this interview I plan to address issues as of why she thinks the apartments were built and just her story about living on Greenmount.

Update for project

This week I finished my CITI training and I followed up with CJay, I have not yet heard from her but, I have had a very eventful weekend. I had an adventure to my sister house which is greenmount west and I also walked around the other part of the neighborhood on greenmount west. I noticed a sign that caught my eye about the city building some type of center but, their is homes right next to it but, I am wondering where the houses are going or where the center is going.

Adventure Blog

Saturday April 11, 2015

 

On Saturday I took a trip to green mount west which is also my sisters house. These apartments were built in 2013. The area where they are is a neighborhood that is not a very good one. It is a typical neighborhood to anyone that lives in Baltimore. But, to someone that is out of town it can be very dangerous. The apartment complex looks like it does not belong there. I say this because the surrounding area is a club, bar, homes, corner stores,and an abandoned thrift shop but, the apartments looks displace. Before it was apartments I remember it was an empty lot. It almost look like it could have been homes that were left to the city and torn down. On my adventure I played outside with my niece and nephew, we walked the neighborhood to get food from one of the store across the street. I stayed for a while until I got tired. The picture on the far right is an old thrift shop that sits across the street for the apartments. It went out of business about a year ago. I honestly do not know what they are going to turn it into because it has been like that for almost two years now. The space is big enough for the city to build a center for the youth without them having to ruin the neighborhood. I think it would be a good way to help the inner city youth because when I was outside I seen kids running around and on bikes playing, it look like they had nothing to do that was constructive to engage their minds.

Exciting News!!!!

Well this past week has been a very busy one for me because I am almost done my CITI training and the person that I wanted to interview got back with Dr. King. I am so excited because I really am looking forward to talking to her about one of my favorite subjects Dance. The best part is that she will probably give us an overview of Dance in Station North and what the community and her program dance and bmore. In the e-mail she told Dr. King that she would be happy to do it but, not last week because she was busy and my job this week is to follow up with CJay  and set up an interview time that is convenient for everyone. Also make sure I send an ask even though Dr. King asked her but, I want her to hear from me personal so that she can get a feel for who I am. So, this week I am working non stop so I do not lose my interview or an amazing opportunity.

Let's Talk about this Project

Dear Class, I loved Jazmin Simmons' talk it was one of the best we had ; like many has already stated. She is so passionate and so driven about her work and that's something I like to see. Real people helping out a community that could use help. I though she was funny and very fresh and I thought she gave an excellent perspective on a lot if issues in Station North and just in Baltimore. I thought it was crazy when she mentioned Hollins Market area and that fancy restaurant that that use to be there because I literally live area the corner from that market and I near noticed that restaurant. So, I thought that was a huge connection to how I feel about my community. Currently in our group I know we have done a lot of brainstorming over spring break. We have came up with a theme that we can all agree on. I have came up with questions I can ask the person I plan on interviewing. I am currently keeping close contact with Dr. King because she has the person information I really would like to interview. Her name is CJay and she is a dancer and she lead a workshop for Dance & Bmore, so I waiting to hear back and see if she is willing to let me maybe interview her. Also I am in the process of completing the CITI training. Also I will be thinking about another interview subject just in case the first one falls through. Here is the link to the Dance & Bmore: http://www.danceandbmore.com/     

 This picture came from the website of Dance & Bmore.

MICA

Because of MICA, Station North or Hopkins                                      I agree with the article referring to the reason that Station North exist. MICA is one of the main reason that Station North is the way that it. MICA and Station North are the perfect combination  where artist come to create and get inspired so that they can thrive in the art world. Many businesses like Everyman and other things have already moved  out and in order to make progress at Station North, they must continue to move forward with the plans that they have for Station North. As I am reading the articles I become troublesome because they talk about expanding areas on 25th street. And I worry that the communities around and in Station North will not approve. I know that when building or reconstructing areas in the city they always cause some kind of controversy because someone is being pushed out in order to bring new people in. I question that tactics that are being use in order for these communities to  expand. The article also brings up that John Hopkins is looking to expand but, I think if John Hopkins expand it will eventually run into Eastern Ave and Canton area. I know that John Hopkins has already knocked down homes in order to develop luxury apartments. My questions for Ben Stone are 1. What did you mean when you made this statement, "There is also a border to particular district and something outside of the border." 2. Why is expansions so important when it comes to areas like Station North and John Hopkins. 3. If this expansions do happen where do you plan on building theses business, will they force people out of their communities or overlap with the communities.  

Sources; artandeducation.net http://www.citypaper.com/news/features/2013/bcp-cms-1-1514525-migrated-story-cp-20130703-featu-20130703,0,6682549.story?page=3

Simply Gentrification

My thoughts on Gentrification   

 My thoughts on the issues of gentification are very complex because I see the positive and negative sides of gentification. The positive side is that a dying area will be resurrected from the grave. Also it could possibly bring more tourist and my money to an area. But, in order to reach such great heights for a community,someone or someones must pay the price. Which leads me to the negative side of gentification. Due to the on going issues of gentification people are being forced out of their homes just so that the city can turn a profit. I understand that a dying community may need help but, their are other ways without making them leave. At this time I do not have a side of where I stand on the issues of gentification because great things with ugly side effects will always come out of "trying" to help a dying community. For the project I was think that maybe when could explore the artists of Sation North and explore the inspiration for the art pieces and the quality of work produce by them.

work cited; google images, rachelrabinowitz.com