Happy Fourth of July!

For those of you staying in town for the 4th, you might want to check out the parade and fireworks in Catonsville. Click on the link above for information on the schedule of events.


Please remember that it is not a good idea to shoot off fireworks into the forest in Oella, no matter how much fun! It scares the animals and could lead to fires. Catonsville offers a better show, anyway.

Reminder: 3rd quarter HOA fees are due in July

The management company does not send out quarterly invoices, so the blogger will try to post reminders each quarter. You have options for payment. You can:

1) Send a check to ACM along with your coupon (books distributed in January)

2) Pay online at:
http://communitymanagers.net/OwnerServices/payments.htm

3) Sign up for direct debit at:
http://communitymanagers.net/OwnerServices/directdebit.htm

Note that it costs the HOA money each time a reminder notice is sent out. If you have trouble remembering to pay on time, please consider using direct debit.

Thank you!

Long Brick Row Happy Hour July 3

The residents of Long Brick Row are hosting a happy hour this Friday, July 3, starting at 7pm. We'll be gathering behind 746 & 748 Oella Ave. It is a BYOB event, but food will be provided (grilled items, snacks). Ice for the drinks and coolers and chips would be appreciated, though.

Come out to meet your neighbors!

Parking etiquette

We've had some recent parking complaints, particularly at Timber Point and Long Brick Row, that some residents are parking too many cars or are taking up multiple spaces with one car.

Parking is tight in Oella. Please do not store extra vehicles, please do not take up multiple spaces with one vehicle, and please consider your neighbors when making parking decisions.

Finally, non-HOA residents who are not guests of residents are not permitted to park in HOA-owned lots. A number of non-HOA people have been parking in the Long Brick Row lot to access the river, and their vehicles will be tagged with violation notices and towed if they do not display the appropriate parking permits.

Resident feedback requested: Lawn fertilizer and weed control

Please offer your opinions on how the HOA should proceed with lawn fertilizing and weed control. Several Oella residents have expressed concerns about the chemical herbicide/pesticide and fertilizers that are applied to the HOA lawns. The blogger is exploring non-chemical options such as pre-emergent weed controls that contain corn gluten instead of chemicals and overseeding/aerating the lawn. Corn gluten also acts as a natural fertilizer. Chemicals tend to kill all the good stuff in the soil, which requires more chemicals to remedy. However, they definitely kill weeds and make grass green.

The new plan would involve:

1) Replace chemical applications with corn gluten formula
2) Supplement with compost application (non-stinky variety)
3) Overseed with grass seed suited to our area & aerate grass in Fall
4) Mow hillsides instead of spraying for pesticides

The blogger has tested this corn gluten + compost program offsite (Dad's lawn), and it has been very successful to date.

Invasive Oella "raspberries"

Bad news. The tasty, tart little raspberries that pop up all over Oella are actually an invasive asian berry called wineberry. The plant is considered an invasive species that is a threat to forests. The best non-chemical defense is to cut them back before they produce fruit. Once the fruit is set, the birds & deer eat them and spread the seeds around the forest in their feces.

Click on the link above for more info.

Announcement: Spring Street Meeting June 25

Spring Street residents are organizing a meeting to discuss the runoff and maintenance of the strip of HOA-owned property that runs behind their homes.

Time: 7pm
Date: June 25
Place: 939 Oella Ave.

Local runner races to help Baltimore's "Back on my feet" Charity

Those of you who are up before the crack of dawn have probably seen local runner Geoff Baker on the Oella trails. Geoff's latest run is an incredible 100-mile "Race Across the Sky" in the Rockies to raise money and awareness for Baltimore-based charity Back On My Feet. Back on My Feet is a non-profit organization that promotes the self-sufficiency of the homeless population by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem. Back on My Feet is a comprehensive program that offers connections to job training, educational scholarships and housing assistance.

To read more about Geoff's run or to support Geoff's efforts, click on the link above. It also wouldn't hurt to send him good thoughts as he undertakes this very strenuous run!