Greetings!

It’s officially my second year as President of the Overlea Community Association and we have made so many moves! Check out this article outlining some of strides that have been made here in Overlea. Our Overlea Farmer’s Market is in full swing with new vendors, including beef jerky, tie dyed clothes, yarn, beeswax lotions and so much more. Be sure to stop by every other Saturday morning between 8:30am-12:30pm at 6908 Belair Rd. Our remaining market dates are July 30th, August 13th, August 27th, September 10th, September 24th, October 8th, and October 22nd.

ArtsFest is also upon us! Three days of local vendors, art, performances, a film festival and more! Mark your calendars for August 12th, 13th, and 14th, at Holt Park, located at 34 Elmont Ave.

A huge thank you to everyone who volunteered and attended the Fullerton Fireworks this year🙏. What a fantastic show! Events like these can’t be done without the hard work of MANY volunteers. It was so great to get such a community treasure back in the neighborhood.

If anyone is facing food insecurity this summer, BCPS is offering a free summer food program. Details can be found on their website at www.bcps.org. The closest location is Parkville Middle School. They will offer lunches Monday-Friday from 11-11:30 am. You may also go to www.marylandfoodbank.org, type in your zip code, and view a list of food banks near you. Inflation, job loss, and illness affect us all, please don’t hesitate to reach out for help.

I will end with a reminder to vote in the upcoming election. Non-presidential elections typically have low voter turnout, but this year Maryland elects a new Governor and it’s incredibly important that your voice is heard. Local elections matter, and they tend to have the most impact on our day-to-day life. Thank you for being so invested in your community! Please reach out to get involved.

Melissa Davis, President, Overlea Community Association, president@overleaonline.org

UPDATE: 08/26/22

The OCA board has learned that 7-11 and the developer behind the 7-11 gas station and convenience store proposed for the corner of Belair Rd. and Fullerton Ave. have decided NOT to appeal the administrative ruling that denied all the requested special exceptions.

As far as we are aware, the project will not move forward.

THANK YOU to all the Overlea and Linover residents who shared their concerns and testimony, whether written or in person. Your involvement is crucial as together we advocate for sustainable development and improvements in our community.

The Pittsburgh-based developer Pentek has proposed a large 7-11 fuel station, convenience store, and fast food restaurant on the properties at 7403-7407 Belair Rd., the intersection with Fullerton Ave.

The Overlea Community Association does not support this 7-11 or the developer’s requests for zoning variances. We have serious concerns about the safety and traffic impacts of such a large store at this failing intersection, which we expressed to the developer and in testimony for the zoning hearing.

The developer requested special exceptions to zoning law for this project at a hearing on 6/13/2022. All requests were denied in a decision issued 6/24/2022 (case number 2021-0269-SPHXA). The developer has 30 days to appeal.

The OCA encourages all community members to help continue our fight for sustainable, beneficial development in Overlea. If you are interested in a “STOP 7-11” yard sign, it comes free with your $25 good neighbor OCA membership. These dues help us keep our neighborhood programs running and make Overlea an even better place to live.

Sign up for email updates and future calls to action at https://www.overleaonline.org/news/stop-7-eleven/

One of the great things about a community farmers market is they are also business incubators. The Overlea Farmers Market often gives new businesses the space and opportunity to expand. Brothers BBJ (beef jerky) is operated and produced by four brothers who live in the community. They offer great products with many flavors. Stop by for a sample Hon’s Honey employs and supports women recovering from abusive circumstances. They sell local honey, bar soaps, lotions and creams. Stop by and learn about their efforts and their terrific products.

Highview Ave. and the end of Fuller Ave. received a SERIOUS renovation! Your Overlea Community Association has worked closely with Councilwoman Cathy Bevins for several years on this much needed project. She relentlessly advocated on our behalf, for new sidewalks, curbs, and handicap ramps. These road areas had deteriorated greatly and the work was very much needed. If you have not seen the repairs, check it out. The results are amazing! Thank you Councilwoman Bevins for your tireless efforts for much needed improvements tor the Overlea Community.

Did You Know?

The Overlea Farmers market accepts EBT/SNAP benefits, and provides a Maryland Market Money match for all benefits spent on SNAP-eligible items. This match was previously capped at $10, but this year is unlimited. This program essentially doubles the value of nutrition benefits so customers can spend them at the market while meeting all their shopping needs. Eligible vendors include Jade Farm’s local meat products, Homberg Farm’s fresh produce, and more!

What is the OCA all about?

Members of the Overlea Community Association work hard to make our neighborhood an even better place to live. In addition to organizing the Overlea Farmers Market (now in its seventh season with grant funding from Baltimore County), the fabulous annual Overlea ArtsFest, and our sparkling Holiday Tree Lighting, the OCA is proud to share some additional recent highlights. OCA board members worked closely with Baltimore County throughout the Belair Road watermain replacement project to ensure that roads were repaired and safety concerns were addressed during the project, and followed up with officials to see that the roads were repaved.

The OCA is closely tracking developments around the proposed 7-11 project at Belair and Fullerton. Board members met with the developers to express serious concerns about the project, testified against the developer’s requested variances at the zoning hearing, and is working with community members to keep residents up to date and share information about ways to voice opinions on this proposal. Tireless advocacy and partnership with Councilwoman Cathy Bevins resulted in new curbs and ADA compliant ramps on Highview Avenue. Repeated calls to Code Enforcement resulted in the removal of the unauthorized food trailers that were operating out of the parking lot of The Overlea event center.

Working with NeighborSpace Baltimore County, the OCA helped establish and obtain grant funding for Overlea’s first and only (so far!) pocket park, Cherry Heights Woodland Garden, at East Elm and Beech Avenues. Volunteers cleared the space and filled the park with native plants.

The OCA organizes community compost collection in connection with the Overlea Farmers Market and, in the off season, volunteers collect and deliver the scraps to a local farm. OCA volunteers also help staff the Fullerton Fireworks July 4 celebration each year, and an OCA board member sits on the Baltimore County Bicycle and Pedestrian Pathways Committee.

In the greenspace at Northern Parkway and Walther, OCA volunteers planted dozens of native trees, and when a BGE project took them out, the OCA contacted those responsible, informed local officials, and ensured that BGE replaced the trees and repaired the site properly— including sidewalks, a retaining wall, and additional native plants. Along Northern Parkway between Belair and Walther, where numerous dangerous traffic accidents occurred due to speeding (especially during icy seasons) the OCA advocated for years with city government and elected officials—and ultimately traffic calming measures were put in place. This stretch of road is now a single lane of traffic, making it much safer for residents, pedestrians, and drivers. Related, the OCA obtained grant funding to place large flowerpots along this road that will beautify it and further increase the safety of crosswalks.

The OCA partnered with graduate students at the Johns Hopkins University to complete their qualitative research practicum—which included a study of the Overlea Farmers Market. Results of this study have helped the volunteers who run it improve the market and build toward its sustainable future.

Pending federal funding, OCA advocacy has brought pledges from Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski for $7 million in county funds dedicated to desperately needed updates on Belair Rd. Similarly, the OCA worked with Councilwoman Bevins and Mr. Olszewski to secure pledges for $1 million for the Natural History Society of Maryland and $3 million for updates to Holt Park. Stay tuned for updates on these efforts!

Have a project you’d like to make happen? Come to the next board meeting—for details, email president@overleaonline.org, or send a note via Facebook Messenger to @OverleaRocks. Support these efforts and more by becoming an OCA member! Visit our Get Involved page to pay securely via PayPal.

Holt Park and Center for the Arts is located at 34 Elmont Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21206. Below are some dates to explore fun activities at the park this August 20

.

July 31- Aug. 6: Nature Explorers Summer Camp-9am-2pm
Aug. 5: Clay: Flower (Painting) 6:30-8pm
Aug. 6: Nature Cabin 12-3pm
Aug. 7: Egg Box Scavenger Hunt 1-2:30pm
Aug. 10: Natural Art: Beach Frame 6:30-7:30pm
Aug. 12: Nature Cabin 12-3pm
Aug. 12, 13 & 14: Overlea ArtsFest
Aug. 20: Nature Cabin 12-3pm
Aug. 20: Campfire 7-8:30pm
Aug. 26: Misty Mountains Paint Night 6-8pm
Aug. 27: Nature Cabin 12-3pm
Aug. 27: NHSM Tour: Holt History 4-5:30pm
Aug. 28: Build-A-Bug 12-2pm

Pre-Register For Programs Online At: www.overleafrc.com/
programs/holtpark

For Accommodations: Call Therapeutic Office at 410-887-5370.

Summer is finally here!

That can only mean one thing, The Overlea Farmer’s Market is returning to Overlea. Starting June 4th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m, the party can be found in the parking lot of the Natural History Society of Maryland to celebrate seasonal produce, coffee, meats, eggs, flowers and more! We are so excited to be returning for our 7th year of the market. This is truly a community effort, and the market can only survive and THRIVE with the support from members of the Overlea Community. While you are at the market, be sure to stop inside the NHS to see all the amazing programs they have to offer. Our farmer’s market runs EVERY OTHER Saturday until October 22nd. If you would like to volunteer for the Farmer’s Market, please email me at Mspicknall1@gmail.com for more information.

Your Overlea Community Board has been hard at work. We received information last month that thanks to the efforts of our County Councilwoman, Cathy Bevins and County Executive Johnny Olszewski, Baltimore County will commit 7 million dollars towards the State’s request for Federal funds to revitalize Belair Rd. If approved, these federal funds will continue the Belair Rd revitalization project. The total cost of this project with federal, state, and local funding will be the 36-million-dollar investment in our community. When this project is completed, Belair road will be ADA compliant with a greatly improved, safer walkway with crosswalks. This will benefit businesses and community members alike.

In addition to the funds for Belair Rd, three million dollars will be allocated for updating Lillian Holt Park, the site of the Overlea ArtsFest and a true community treasure. The Natural History Society of Maryland will also receive one million dollars toward their building and programs. These are tangible investments in the betterment of our community, and we are incredibly thankful.

In addition to our busy spring, ArtsFest will be returning to Holt Park this summer on August 12th-14th. Check out our juried Art Show, live entertainment, film festival, and so much more. ArtsFest started as a one-day celebration of the arts, and has grown into a three day must see event for the whole family, that celebrates the Baltimore art community.

And who can forget, the Fullerton Fireworks?! It’s back, and bigger than ever! This year the event will be held on Sunday July 3rd, with a rain date of Monday July 4th at the Fullerton Field.

We have SO missed these fireworks for the past two years and I have it on good authority that this year’s show is not to be missed. Events will kick off at 5 p.m. with live music, food, and of course FIREWORKS! We have so many events happening this spring and summer! I look forward to seeing all of you!

Stay safe,

Melissa Davis, OCA President

August 12th, 13th & 14th

Join us in August as Overlea ArtsFest 2022 comes back to Holt Park & Center for the Arts, with a fabulous full weekend of entertainment and activities:

Friday, August 12th officially opens the Juried Art Show & Sale at 5 pm, with a ‘Peace-Love-Art’ theme. Wear your favorite 60s outfit and shop for some great local art! At 8 pm Friday evening the Film Festival begins, with compelling local and international short films.

Saturday, August 13th brings a performance by the Ed Hrybyk jazz trio, Latin music by the Bad Hombres, a special appearance by the one-and-only Baltimore Hons, and more! Plus free art activities for kids sponsored by Holt Park, and Art on the Trails nature walks.

New this year – educational workshops for artists, junior artists, photographers and writers, offered for free on Sunday. Details coming soon on our new website at OverleaArtsFest.org. See you at the ArtsFest!

As lawn mowing season is here, please be reminded that it is illegal to blow grass clippings into the street. The debris and fertilizers are pollutants to the Chesapeake Bay. Also, city residents are responsible for maintaining the grassy alleys behind their homes. They should be free of debris and overgrowth that may prevent utility trucks from accessing the alleys.

Thank you Councilwoman Bevins for your unending dedicated commitment to our neighborhood. It is with sincere thanks and gratitude that we acknowledge your hard work with local funding initiatives that will continue to put Overlea on the map.

The funding from Baltimore County for the Belair Road revitalization project, once completed, will attract new businesses and residents to the Overlea corridor. The funding for Holt Park will establish a unique Art park in Baltimore County. The funding for the Natural History Society of Maryland brings it closer to becoming The Natural History Museum of Maryland, a state-wide attraction. All three measures are critically important to the investment and growth of Overlea.

Over the years, Councilwoman Bevins has advocated for new sidewalks; raised school crosswalks; upgraded street lighting; the butterfly mural fence; renovation of the NHSM parking lot; establishment of the Overlea Commercial Revitalization District; stream restoration between E. Elm and Madeline Avenues; zoning of Kamenetz properties and green spaces; the GRAG grant; the Farmers Market; and so much more. We appreciate all she has done for Overlea during her tenure and wish her all the best in her future endeavors.