Every spring and fall, Baltimore County’s Forest Management group plants trees throughout the county, offering residents tremendous benefits in terms of air quality improvement, cooling our communities and homes, biodiversity support, storm- water management, beautification, and helping people relax and recharge. In addition to tree planting along County roadways, individual homeowners can request a free tree to be planted in their front yards. Homeowners can even choose what tree species they’d like! Baltimore county residents can take advantage of this program by submitting a request before 8/29. To learn more, visit the County’s Project ReTree Site at https://baltco-forestmanagement-bc-gis.hub.arcgis.com/pages/project-retree.

Fall is the time to plant spring-flowering daffodil, tulip, crocus, and hyacinth bulbs. Get plants in the ground at least six weeks before the ground freezes–up until early November. Water plants as needed to keep the soil moist to the depth of the root ball, continuing to water until the ground freezes.

Mulch: Apply a 2-3” layer of organic mulch (e.g. shredded leaves, pine straw, or bark chips) around plants, keeping it several inches away from the stems or trunk. This conserves moisture and helps prevent winter freeze-thaw cycles that can stress plants.

Baltimore County Trash and Bulk Trash Pick-Up

Trash Pick-up: Friday
Recyling Pick-up: Thursday

The next bulk trash pick up date is November 11, 2025. For more info call call 410-887-2000 or go online to: Collection Schedule | Baltimore County Government https://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/departments/public-works/solid-waste/collection-schedule

Baltimore City Trash and Bulk Trash Pick-Up

Trash Pick-up: Thursday
Recyling Pick-up: Tuesday

Every month, city residents can put out up to three items for bulk trash collection but must call 311 before the scheduled date to request this service. Go online: https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/pw-bureaus/solid-waste/bulk

These times are certainly unusual. There are days when I actively avoid the news about what novel approach to cutting government programs a nameless, faceless computer hacker has devised today. Much the way a hedge fund would liquidate assets in a company they were trying to look profitable, only to dress it up for a quick sale, or chop it up for parts, so we are carving up our government with a chain saw instead of a scalpel. There are a lot of good people, who have developed decades of expertise and competence in very specific subject matter. They are doing work that is sometimes repetitive or mundane, but none-the-less adds to a consistent data set we have been collecting for 250 years, or ensures breakfast gets delivered to underprivileged school kids who might not eat otherwise or makes sure the weather report is accurate. To see this class of public servants, who aren’t shilling for lobbyists or working on their next book deal, scapegoated as the cause of government graft by the very people who write the funding bills in the first place just makes me angry.

But, in the face of this, we must keep living our lives. As the president of your community association, I want to assure you, I am not in it for the money. (This is a volunteer position.) I know the impulse people feel to help their communities and to give back through service is real because I operate on that drive as well. And when our neighbor has to leave town to help her aging mother, we take in her mail, and care for her dog. When the snow comes, we clear the sidewalk not just in front of our house, but more. The Overlea Community Association is a voice for you in local politics, in business development, in beautification. But first and foremost, we want to help our community come together.

We want to empower you to be heard, but we also want to give you the opportunity to listen to each other. We want to encourage you to “love thy neighbor” if for no other reason than to live the Truth that people aren’t just self- interested, petty, and indifferent. Our struggles are shared. Our triumphs can be, too.

Martin Nibali
President, OCA

Elyse Morin and her husband Albert met as volunteers in Rockport, Texas while serving in AmeriCorps. Along with their daughter, they moved to the community in 2023. Elyse is a social worker at Oak Crest Village where volunteering is encouraged. As an event manager, she was drawn to chairing the Adult Movie Night in September. Elyse looks forward to engaging with the community and making Movie Night a successful annual event.

Anthony and Marci Medina and family moved to the community in 2022. In 2023 they greatly enjoyed attending the Annual Tree Lighting event. Anthony is a professional community organizer in East Baltimore, so organizing is his forte! When approached about chairing the 2024 Tree Lighting event- he easily agreed. Anthony looks forward to chairing the event again in 2025. A huge success!

Alex moved to Overlea in 2021. Alex attends the National Night Out events, helps with the Bus Turnaround and is a regular volunteer at the Overlea Farmers Market- the best kind- he comes early for set up! Alex is a Chemist at DAP and a very talented professional photographer. Alex wanted to do more in the community and has agreed to become editor of the community newsletter. He will produce the quarterly newsletter and oversee other volunteers working on the publication and distribution. Are you nterested in exploring volunteer opportunities with the Overlea Community Association? Contact Doris Poling, Vice President at dfpoling18@yahoo.com

If you’re interested in volunteering, please check out this page.

Updates by Councilman Mike Ertel.

The leadership of the Overlea Community Association met with Councilman Ertel two times in 2024, requesting the following:

• 7201 Belair Road. Help with this burnt-out building. The OCA has asked for help from Baltimore County Government with little or no action. This eyesore embarrassment has been allowed to stand and foul our community for four years.
• Road paving on the east side of Belair Road, inside the Kenwood Avenue loop. After the gas line project was completed by BGE, most roads were spot paved. The OCA asked State Highways to finish the paving in 2023, with no action. The OCA has asked Councilman Ertel to advocate for this and paving on the west side of Belair Road, as well as gutter, curb and sidewalk replacement, and much needed sidewalk ramps in the Cherry Heights Community.
• Legislation request. The OCA requested Councilman Ertel to introduce a bill that would limit live music in a Commercial Revitalization District (CRD)-which Belair Road in Baltimore County in Overlea has. Specifically asking for no outside music allowed after 9pm, permitting requirements to include providing off street parking and Community Association notification 30 days in advance.
• 6900 Belair Road. If the new business opens by March 13th, the liquor Board will allow transfer of the liquor license. The zoning change for this building happened last year restricting use that does not allow for a tavern. The liquor license transfer supersedes the zoning change under certain requirements. The OCA requested legislation to limit the number of times these licenses can be transferred after a zoning change.

Walking is low impact, requires minimal equipment, can be done at any time of day and can be performed at your own pace. Walking is considered to be a weight-bearing exercise.

Some of the benefits include:

• increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness
• reduced risk of heart disease and stroke
• improves hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain, and diabetes
• stronger bones and improved balance, increased muscle strength and endurance and reduced body fat.