The official newsletter of The Historic Charles Street Association - Issue 54 A Message from the President - Michael Haynie Welcome to Charles Street, Michele!  No not Michele Obama but Michele Coiron, the Historic Charles Street Association's new Executive Director.  Michele was hired from a large field of applicants after a very thorough process conducted by the Association's Executive Director Search Committee. Michele originally hails from New Orleans, Louisiana but has been living in the Baltimore/Washington, DC area for a number of years working in the paper and printing industries. The search committee chose Michele because of her strong sales background, communication skills and vibrant personality. Michele most recently worked with the Walters Art Gallery as a volunteer and successfully led one of their major fundraising events. We look forward to working with Michele to continue with the Charles Street mission of advocacy on behalf of you, our members. Her goals include ensuring members get maximum benefit from belonging to the association, while continuing to promote our Charles Street community both regionally and nationally. If you have not already done so, please stop in to say hi to Michele or drop her an email. Her email address is michele@charlestreet.net. Again, please welcome Michele and we all look forward to working with you. Streetscape Project The 1700 and 1800 blocks of Charles Street have recently been repaved.  The contractor will soon be installing pavers on the west sides of the 1000 -1100 blocks, and Belgian block in the 1200 and 1300 blocks.  Granite curbs will also be installed in the 1400 blocks in the coming weeks.  For more information, please contact Kristin Speaker at 410-659-7767.Among the improvements on Charles Street at Station North is the actual road paving material.  The street will be repaved with Glasphalt, which contains finely crushed glass instead of stone.  Meant to enhance this arts area, it was selected for its visual appeal, making road surfaces glisten as street lights are reflected.  In addition, Glasphalt is known to have longer lasting properties.  What is a Knox Box?  If you don't already have one, Captain Robert Barczak from the Baltimore City Fire Department recommends buildings be installed with the Knox Box.  This is a small safe mounted on the wall of the building that holds keys for firefighters to retrieve in emergencies.  This device enables firefighters to quickly enter a building without having to track down the building's management beforehand.  As in the case of a false alarm, if occupants are not on site or can not be reached immediately, firefighters are forced to break down doors or smash windows to gain access in order to investigate the property.  Knox Boxes not only simplify key control for fire departments, but they cut fire losses for building owners as well.  For further information on this product, further information on this product, please visit http://www.knoxbox.com/, THEN contact Captain Barczak at robert.barczak@baltimorecity.gov or call 410-396-5752 for authorized application forms. When you leave your car, leave it empty Break-ins of autos are a big inconvenience and can happen anywhere, but Downtown Partnership of Baltimore wants to remind you that they are preventable.  For years, The Partnership has spread the word that "when you leave your car, you should leave it empty."  It's a message that has been embraced by Mayor Dixon and Police Commissioner Bealefeld because people are using more electronic devices like GPS navigators and iPods, and these are extremely attractive to thieves.  So, wherever you park, take care not to have items out in plain view.  Even leaving the cap off of your car's lighter or power outlet could be a signal to a thief that there is something valuable in the cabin.  On those occasions when there is an auto break-in Downtown, the Police Department can use its extensive network of cameras to help catch the thief.  After it does, The Partnership has a Court Watch program that tracks the prosecution of the criminal and uses volunteers from the community to make impact statements at the trial.  For more information about either of these programs, or to volunteer as a monitor for Court Watch, please contact Tom Yeager at 410.244.1030, or tyeager@dpob.org Cast Your Vote for The Tremont Plaza Hotel! The Tremont Plaza Hotel is among only ten finalists nationwide in the America's Best Restroom VIII contest.  Sponsored by Cintas Corporation of Cincinnati, Ohio, the award was established in 2002 to honor businesses that place high value on cleanliness and exceptional style in their public restrooms.  This lovely ladies room is truly a reflection of exceptional taste, flair and attention to detail. Through July 31, the public is invited to vote online by visiting the website http://www.bestrestroom.com/, which takes visitors on a tour of each of the ten finalists. . . or take a short walk to the Charles Street entrance for an actual visit! New Businesses on Charles Street Joss Cafe and Sushi Bar, 413 N. Charles Street, announces the Grand Opening of their new location on Charles Street. Starting June 1 - Please ask about the Express Lunch menu, $1 off all of these items if ordered before 11:30am, Monday - Friday.  Receive a free gift during their grand opening!  For more information call 410-244-6988 or visit http://www.josscafe-sushibar.com/. Maisy's, 313 N. Charles Street, scheduled to open in June.  The BALTIMORE-CENTRIC menu features dishes such as Corn and Jalapeno Crab Cakes and Gunpowder Bison Burgers, with price points within reach for everyone.  For more information: call 443-220-0150 or visit http://www.maisysbaltimore.com/. The Wedding Library and Cafe, 518 N. Charles Street, is a new resource for planning events and weddings.  They have the best and most unique vendors and suppliers.  Call 410-298-3209, or stop by to be assisted with your next event!  For more information on MONTHLY Vendor Mixers, visit http://www.theweddinglibraryandcafe.com/.  Please Welcome our New HCSA Member! The Wedding Library and Cafe at 518 N. Charles Street. Real Estate OpportunitiesIf you are interested in buying or selling commercial or investments properties, contact Byrnes & Associates: 410-528-1236 or email kempbyrnes@verizon.netIf you have available retail space for lease, email Nan Rohrer, Downtown Partnership's Retail Development Director: nrohrer@dpob.orgFor information on residential properties for sale and residential units for rent, retail and office space for lease, visit: MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services, LLC - http://www.mackenziecommercial.com/ About The HCSA The mission of The Historic Charles Street Association is to make Charles Street a distinctive destination for visitors to the city and local residents through the support, retention, and promotion of commerce in our district. We are a tax-exempt charitable organization that serves businesses and property owners in the Charles Street district from the Inner Harbor to North Avenue who share our commitment to a unique and vibrant community.We are a devoted advocate for the betterment of The Historic Charles Street District and depend on the support of our members to continue to make an impact. For membership information please visit our website at http://www.charlesstreet.net/Resources  Who to call?Broken Glass on the street or sidewalk from Pratt Street to Centre Street - contact LaToya Staten at the Downtown Partnership (DPOB) at 410-244-1030, or lstaten@dpob.org. Above Centre Street - contact the Midtown Community Benefits District at 410-528-1512City Services - 311 is Baltimore's new number to call for all city services. All calls to 311 go through a One Call Center, a 75-agent in-bound call and dispatch center manned 24 hours a day every day of the year.Exterior Building Signs or Banners - to begin the approval process for any exterior building sign or banner, a permit application needs to be filed at the permit counter, 417 E. Fayette Street, room 100. For more information call 410-396-3360Facade Improvement Program - contact LaToya Staten (DPOB) at 410-244-1030 or lstaten@dpob.orgLiquor Licenses - for assistance with all liquor license issues contact Bob Dengler (DPOB) at 410-605-0451Malfunctioning Easy Park Meters - contact Michele Coiron (HCSA) at 410-332-4144Safety Escorts - anyone wishing to receive an escort while walking to their car or bus, or waiting for a taxi after dark should contact 410-244-8778 during business hours or 410-802.9631 after hours. Downtown Partnerships Public Safety Guides are available within the DMA District from 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM seven days a week.Safety and Security Issues - for non-emergency situations in the Charles Street district, contact Deputy Major Avon Mackel at 410-396-2410 or email avon.mackel@baltimorepolice.orgStreetscaping above the monument - contact Kristin Speaker (CSDC) at 410-649-2052The Homeless - for assistance with all issues regarding the homeless from Pratt Street to Centre Street contact Tom Yeager or Bertina Silver (DPOB) at 410-244-1030. Above Centre Street - contact the Midtown Community Benefits District at 410-528-1512You are a valuable member of the HCSA and we welcome your input. Please send all comments and suggestions to: Michele Coiron Executive Director p: 410-332-4144 michele@charlesstreet.net