This past Thursday I met Missy at the Brooklyn Enoch Pratt Library. She showed me where the files are for newspaper articles about Brooklyn and Curtis Bay. While she was doing her own research, I looked up various articles about the environmental issues surrounding the area. I found recurring information about Wagners Point, an area where chemical companies were located. At one point there were homes throughout Wagners Point, however, when residents started getting sick the area was considered a dangerous place to live. Many of the articles described the experiences and feelings had by those who had to flee the area. Even though residents were attached to the area, they knew they had to leave for safety reasons. I even came across an article about Betty Welly, a woman I had interviewed last Spring for the Club4100 project. Missy and I discussed the possiblity of me using the research I find for her potential website.
After doing research, Missy and I decided to drive to Wagners Point and see where the neighborhood was once located. I took photos of the area, specifically the construction taking place and the Petapsco Waste Water Treatment Plant. This plant now sits on the location where homes used to be.
We also went to the office for the Bay-Brook organization I will be working with to see if they needed help with anything. Because they were having a slow day it didn’t up being necessary, besides I was going to be there the next morning anyway.
On Friday I found out that Sarah’s husband was in the hospital and she wanted me to call her boss, Carol, to see if I should still come down to the office. Carol wanted me to help organize photos from various events and houses throughout the community. I spent most of the morning creating new files (events, residential neighborhoods, outdoors, and one just for the Polish Home Hall) I re-organized many of he folders and wrote specific descriptions for each picture, hopefully this will make events from the past easier to find. Looking at all the pictures helped me become more familiar with the area and seeing the transformation of the Polish Home Hall was pretty great.
Carol is awesome! She is so interested in her job and excited to have me be around. I was able to talk with one of her employees, Josh, about the photos and I felt like I was a real intern because I spent some time in the office. A few different ladies came through, one being the treasurer of the organization, and I got to meet her as well.
Carol suggested that I change my idea about a vegetarian class into a “Healthy Holidays” class. Even though I kind of have my heart set on the veg class, I said ok because she told me she thinks more people will come that way. She also said I can use the Polish Home Hall which is pretty great. I will still mention the vegetarian lifestyle and have healthy desserts after the class. Carol says that Missy and I can use the Hall for any events we want. She wants to help us in any way she can, I am so grateful.
I was telling Carol that I want to have some projects that I feel are my own and that can be used for my all-around final project. She informed that I should just tell her my ideas and she will see what she can do. I mentioned ‘clean up the neighborhood’ days and she lit up right away because a woman right next door wanted to have regular clean-up days on her block. We decided to go and talk to the woman right away, she goes by the name Chip. The block that she lives on is pretty cluttered with trash, residents who don’t work, and children who are not in school. Carol went right up the house, children were hanging out on the porch. She asked for the owner to come out and Chip came through the door. Carol told her I was interested in helping to clean up the neighborhood and she started talking to me about how much trash was around and that she ideally wants a clean up day three days a week! I told her I can help her start somewhere, and as of now we are planning on cleaning up the block next Thursday. Missy is also going to participate! Meeting a resident of Curtis Bay puts me on the right track for getting to know the community. Carol says becoming a familiar face with one person has a domino effect and I agree.
Hours worked- ten
Words typed- 779
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Running and Moon Bounces!
This past week I had one trial and error during my internship and one success story. Sarah, me current mentor, informed me that a race was going on in the Brooklyn area. She thought it might be a good idea for me to attend the race and talk to people about starting a runners group. I was very excited because I hope to make this group one of my main projects. She told me that the race started at 2:30pm and I got there about 3:00. There was only a couple of guys milling about and I soon found out that not only was the race starting at 5:00pm, but that it was a high school race. I thought maybe Sarah had came and gone and was a bit confused so I left. While I am not opposed to working with high school kids, I am hoping to start the running group with people who are over eighteen, less legal possibilities. Sarah and I talked and she had been told the wrong time so it wasn’t a big deal that I left. She also said that some of the coaches were members of running organizations and would be interested in a Brooklyn running club. Great news in the end! I’m getting their e-mails sent to me this week and will get in touch with them.
The success story involved Missy and I working at an event called ‘Led Sled.’ Located near a soccer pavilion in Curtis Bay, the event featured vintage cars and activities surrounding them. There was a tent area dedicated to Curtis Bay and the Mason Cove recreation center that I am hoping to teach at. Raffles were held for prizes and there was food and games. Luckily, the event started at three so I made it in time once off work. Missy and I were in charge of the moon bounce, yes, that’s right! It was an interesting experience for sure. First, we were located at the five and under, but Missy left me to help with the moon bounce for older kids. She looked very stressed because the kids were playing so rough and once the bigger volunteers left it became somewhat out of control. Most of the kids who I oversaw were rowdy, but no fights broke out. Missy was glad when her bounce had to be deflated because it started to tip over with kids in it!
It was nice to see all the parents out with their children, the event brought locals and people from other counties. I got to talk to parents while there kids were bouncing and asked them if they lived in the area. I also got to talk with Sarah’s boss; she is one of the head coordinators for the Curtis Bay organization. I told her that I would be willing to a number of necessary jobs and she seemed very interested in utilizing me. I may do some basic computer work as well as work on a project taking oral histories of locals as a way to preserve stories based around the cove itself.
Sarah suggested I come down to one of her two offices this week to start my research on the vegetarian class I hope to teach. She thinks it will be a good way for me to continue meeting new people and getting my face out there. I think it is a great idea. It makes me feel that I am really participating in what I am doing. My goals for the week are to e-mail the running people and to make an informative outline about a vegetarian lifestyle. I have been looking up information on how to start a runners group too. I may have to start posting my info at the cove center or soccer pavilion to see who is interested as well. I am glad that I have some ideas in mind for my projects though, I was nervous as to where my internship would leave but there seems to be plenty of work to be done which is good.
hours worked: 8
words: 678
The success story involved Missy and I working at an event called ‘Led Sled.’ Located near a soccer pavilion in Curtis Bay, the event featured vintage cars and activities surrounding them. There was a tent area dedicated to Curtis Bay and the Mason Cove recreation center that I am hoping to teach at. Raffles were held for prizes and there was food and games. Luckily, the event started at three so I made it in time once off work. Missy and I were in charge of the moon bounce, yes, that’s right! It was an interesting experience for sure. First, we were located at the five and under, but Missy left me to help with the moon bounce for older kids. She looked very stressed because the kids were playing so rough and once the bigger volunteers left it became somewhat out of control. Most of the kids who I oversaw were rowdy, but no fights broke out. Missy was glad when her bounce had to be deflated because it started to tip over with kids in it!
It was nice to see all the parents out with their children, the event brought locals and people from other counties. I got to talk to parents while there kids were bouncing and asked them if they lived in the area. I also got to talk with Sarah’s boss; she is one of the head coordinators for the Curtis Bay organization. I told her that I would be willing to a number of necessary jobs and she seemed very interested in utilizing me. I may do some basic computer work as well as work on a project taking oral histories of locals as a way to preserve stories based around the cove itself.
Sarah suggested I come down to one of her two offices this week to start my research on the vegetarian class I hope to teach. She thinks it will be a good way for me to continue meeting new people and getting my face out there. I think it is a great idea. It makes me feel that I am really participating in what I am doing. My goals for the week are to e-mail the running people and to make an informative outline about a vegetarian lifestyle. I have been looking up information on how to start a runners group too. I may have to start posting my info at the cove center or soccer pavilion to see who is interested as well. I am glad that I have some ideas in mind for my projects though, I was nervous as to where my internship would leave but there seems to be plenty of work to be done which is good.
hours worked: 8
words: 678
Friday, September 11, 2009
First weeks of Interning!
My first few weeks of interning were a bit chaotic because I didn't really know where to begin. Missy and I decided to attend the CCBB meeting to meet people and see what was going on the community. We had both e-mailed Gail, who sits on the board, so she would be expecting us. She was super excited to hear we were coming and even wrote our names in the time-sheet for the night.
While at the meeting we heard about many concerns related to the Brooklyn area. Trash pick up and recycling were of great concern because the neighborhoods were not given recycling bins which meant not many people were recycling. Having one trash day also meant that people would put their trash out a week ahead of time and it would start to overflow on lawns.
Apparently, prostitution and roaming drug vehicles are a great concern. CCBB wants to have nights where people gather together and walk the streets to let those causing disruption know that the neighborhood id aware and going to make their presence known. This is something that I would I like to do at least once, Gail said that having more faces out on the streets helps the area.
A few other areas of concern are restoration of the polish home, park clean-up, and raising money for the local firehouse to obtain equipment they may be short on.
Missy and I were introduced and got up to explain our internship. We let everyone know that we are more than willing to help on various projects and not to hesitate asking for help when needed. I think the group was well responsive and couldn't believe we were older than 23. I explained that I have lived in Baltimore for 8 years, but never gotten that involved with a community the way I was hoping to with the Brooklyn area. Gail also explained that we had worked on the Club4100 project and gave positive feedback about the event.
One of the best parts of the night was meeting Sarah Humphrey. She is the volunteer and outreach coordinator for the Brooklyn and Curtis Bay Coalition. She discusses a lot of environmental projects that were being doing by the organization and I became interested in focusing my attention on the BCBC. I wrote to her the next day and explained my internship project and how wonderful it was meet to her. I then offered up the idea of me contributing my time to some of the projects. We agreed to meet later in the week so I could pick up fliers for a “weed warriors program” they were putting on.
I went to the Brooklyn and Curtis Bay Coalition on September fourth, a Friday. A small office in a townhouse, I found myself surrounded by maps and posters of previous events and those yet to come. Sarah was so happy I came and explained where I would be going to pass out the fliers. She asked me if I had time to take a tour of the neighborhood and I of course said yes. We went up and down the streets through Bay Brook and Curtis Bay. We passed the schools and businesses I would be dropping off fliers to. She drove me through the area they call the “projects” as well as pointed out the homes that had been redone by Habitat for Humanity. The difference between a well-kept house and one that needed to be rehabbed was rather astonishing.
Sarah and I discussed some of the different projects I could begin thinking about. Teaching a class about vegetarianism, planning a race, starting a running group, and getting involved with park clean up were all likely possibilities. I am very excited about all of those ideas because they are all passions of mine!
I delivered the fliers to the various locations, got turned around a bit though.
Sarah and I have been e-mailing and I told her I was available to do any small projects this last week during my free time. She asked me if I would be willing to iron decals on t-shirts for the weed warriors event. I agreed and met her on a Thursday afternoon at her home. Because Sarah has three young children se is definitely pressed for time and was grateful to have me there helping out. I spent about two hours ironing and all was successful. The weed warriors event, pulling weeds from a local park, was set to take place on September 12th.
Sarah asked me to come up with an outline for the vegetarian class so that we can bid for a time at the Masonville Cove Center this October. The building where I hope to be teaching is an eco-friendly construction built above the cove. It is made entirely of recycled material and runs on solar power! It is a great place to host classes and other events. I hope to spend as much time as possible there during this internship.
Word count: 837
Hours: 11 hours
While at the meeting we heard about many concerns related to the Brooklyn area. Trash pick up and recycling were of great concern because the neighborhoods were not given recycling bins which meant not many people were recycling. Having one trash day also meant that people would put their trash out a week ahead of time and it would start to overflow on lawns.
Apparently, prostitution and roaming drug vehicles are a great concern. CCBB wants to have nights where people gather together and walk the streets to let those causing disruption know that the neighborhood id aware and going to make their presence known. This is something that I would I like to do at least once, Gail said that having more faces out on the streets helps the area.
A few other areas of concern are restoration of the polish home, park clean-up, and raising money for the local firehouse to obtain equipment they may be short on.
Missy and I were introduced and got up to explain our internship. We let everyone know that we are more than willing to help on various projects and not to hesitate asking for help when needed. I think the group was well responsive and couldn't believe we were older than 23. I explained that I have lived in Baltimore for 8 years, but never gotten that involved with a community the way I was hoping to with the Brooklyn area. Gail also explained that we had worked on the Club4100 project and gave positive feedback about the event.
One of the best parts of the night was meeting Sarah Humphrey. She is the volunteer and outreach coordinator for the Brooklyn and Curtis Bay Coalition. She discusses a lot of environmental projects that were being doing by the organization and I became interested in focusing my attention on the BCBC. I wrote to her the next day and explained my internship project and how wonderful it was meet to her. I then offered up the idea of me contributing my time to some of the projects. We agreed to meet later in the week so I could pick up fliers for a “weed warriors program” they were putting on.
I went to the Brooklyn and Curtis Bay Coalition on September fourth, a Friday. A small office in a townhouse, I found myself surrounded by maps and posters of previous events and those yet to come. Sarah was so happy I came and explained where I would be going to pass out the fliers. She asked me if I had time to take a tour of the neighborhood and I of course said yes. We went up and down the streets through Bay Brook and Curtis Bay. We passed the schools and businesses I would be dropping off fliers to. She drove me through the area they call the “projects” as well as pointed out the homes that had been redone by Habitat for Humanity. The difference between a well-kept house and one that needed to be rehabbed was rather astonishing.
Sarah and I discussed some of the different projects I could begin thinking about. Teaching a class about vegetarianism, planning a race, starting a running group, and getting involved with park clean up were all likely possibilities. I am very excited about all of those ideas because they are all passions of mine!
I delivered the fliers to the various locations, got turned around a bit though.
Sarah and I have been e-mailing and I told her I was available to do any small projects this last week during my free time. She asked me if I would be willing to iron decals on t-shirts for the weed warriors event. I agreed and met her on a Thursday afternoon at her home. Because Sarah has three young children se is definitely pressed for time and was grateful to have me there helping out. I spent about two hours ironing and all was successful. The weed warriors event, pulling weeds from a local park, was set to take place on September 12th.
Sarah asked me to come up with an outline for the vegetarian class so that we can bid for a time at the Masonville Cove Center this October. The building where I hope to be teaching is an eco-friendly construction built above the cove. It is made entirely of recycled material and runs on solar power! It is a great place to host classes and other events. I hope to spend as much time as possible there during this internship.
Word count: 837
Hours: 11 hours
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Just Setting up
Here is my blog! I will be working with the Brooklyn/Bay Brook communities on several projects that have yet to be determined. I have great contacts and luckily I have already had a good interaction with the Brooklyn community last semester when my class organized an event at Club 4100. I will be writing a more specific update as to what I have done the last two weeks very soon!
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