While the country debates Health Care Reform, in the August heat, in Catonsville, residents will choose sides on more immediate concerns. Do you like Opie's or Tastee Zone?
Just as passionate as the allegiance to Coke or Pepsi, the patrons of ice cream and snowballs have a definate divide. The crushed ice of Opie's vs. the shaved ice of Tastee Zone. The crowds on the picnic tables of Opie's vs. the curbside seating of Tastee Zone. Ask any resident of Catonsville over the age of 5 and they will have a definite preference for one or the other. Occasionally, the ice cream snowballs of the Candy Box, which are easy to grab on a trip down Frederick Rd, but it is a dash and go experience rather than a hang around to chat with anyone who shows up, kind of place. We also have the gelato of Cafe di Roma which offers a more mature, relaxing, international feel but without the tradition and history of the Junction.
We can also debate 5 Oaks vs. Rollingwood. Families naturally gravitate to one pool or the other. Both can boast about their pool, their grounds and their recreation, but they will never convince the other to concede. There are a few who choose membership to Hunting Hills, another lovely pool, but their members are mostly at the far end of town, so the splashing of swimmers at the other two pools drown out their voices.
Do you enjoy the concerts at Lurman Woodland Theatre tucked nicely into the knoll just a few steps from Bloomsbury Avenue? The smell of grilled food, the nice facilities and the kids playing nearby, make this a great retreat right here in "Music City." Or, do you enjoy the Frederick Road Fridays, a concert/block party in the parking lot next to the Santa House? It features classics like Appoloosa, Bill's Music House and Jenning's beer garden. Just like its location, this is the "heart" of Catonsville.
This raises more questions. Where is the best coffee? The best pizza? The best bakery? The best roadside stand?
So take a summer break from the debate of politics and talk of the weather, to consider which side you will take in this Catonsville discussion. As you are filled with the passion to express your opinion, feel free to post it here.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Going Round About Traffic Circle
The corner of Edmondson Avenue and Old Frederick Rd has been a topic of conversation at cookouts, and the pool most of this summer. The decision to remove the traffic lights and install a round-about brings mixed reviews from those of us who travel this route 4 or more times per day.
While the workers, for the most part have been completing the work fairly quickly and with reasonable courtesy to drivers, the chaos has tested the patience of harried moms and student drivers. From the initial set up of the stop signs, placed mostly behind tree limbs, to the constantly changing lane lines, often rearranged in the time it takes to drive to the pool and back, the flashing message to “Stay Alert” is an understatement. The local residents have graciously dealt with the dust, disappearing and reappearing sidewalks, and spontaneous worker picnics on their lawns. But now we must consider the final product. The curbs have been pinched in so as to condense the lanes forcing biker riders and skateboarders who use the bike lane to quickly merge into the car lane. The lack of visibility to see around the corner from Edmondson up Old Frederick toward Rolling Rd, was not an issue when the traffic light was holding back the oncoming traffic, but now this blind spot poses a serious problem as one will be unable to see the traffic entering the circle from Old Frederick until the driver on Edmondson is in the circle too.
My biggest concern will not be an issue until August 31, the first day of school. An intersection where traffic once stopped at a red light, perhaps a little too long for some, has been changed to a free flowing traffic pattern where the cars will never stop. Sounds great, until 3pm Monday thru Friday, when the middle school children are dismissed and begin their walk up Edmondson Avenue. For the few students who travel on the sidewalks, there will be no light to slow or stop the traffic as they cross the street. This concern was raised by the community at local meetings. The solution is a raised brick crosswalk. We are talking MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS HERE! For the many students who frequently walk on the yellow line in the center of Edmondson Avenue as they travel towards Old Frederick, the turn-about may offer an island of repute for further play and taunting of drivers. Perhaps the bricks could be yellow too and entice them to “Follow the yellow brick road.” But I doubt it.
Perhaps there will be a crossing guard as promised. Perhaps the middle school students will like the fresh sidewalks and spontaneously use them. We will see soon enough. I advise you to continue to following the wise advice of the flashing yellow sign, long after it is removed from Edmondson Ave. “Stay Alert!”
While the workers, for the most part have been completing the work fairly quickly and with reasonable courtesy to drivers, the chaos has tested the patience of harried moms and student drivers. From the initial set up of the stop signs, placed mostly behind tree limbs, to the constantly changing lane lines, often rearranged in the time it takes to drive to the pool and back, the flashing message to “Stay Alert” is an understatement. The local residents have graciously dealt with the dust, disappearing and reappearing sidewalks, and spontaneous worker picnics on their lawns. But now we must consider the final product. The curbs have been pinched in so as to condense the lanes forcing biker riders and skateboarders who use the bike lane to quickly merge into the car lane. The lack of visibility to see around the corner from Edmondson up Old Frederick toward Rolling Rd, was not an issue when the traffic light was holding back the oncoming traffic, but now this blind spot poses a serious problem as one will be unable to see the traffic entering the circle from Old Frederick until the driver on Edmondson is in the circle too.
My biggest concern will not be an issue until August 31, the first day of school. An intersection where traffic once stopped at a red light, perhaps a little too long for some, has been changed to a free flowing traffic pattern where the cars will never stop. Sounds great, until 3pm Monday thru Friday, when the middle school children are dismissed and begin their walk up Edmondson Avenue. For the few students who travel on the sidewalks, there will be no light to slow or stop the traffic as they cross the street. This concern was raised by the community at local meetings. The solution is a raised brick crosswalk. We are talking MIDDLE SCHOOL KIDS HERE! For the many students who frequently walk on the yellow line in the center of Edmondson Avenue as they travel towards Old Frederick, the turn-about may offer an island of repute for further play and taunting of drivers. Perhaps the bricks could be yellow too and entice them to “Follow the yellow brick road.” But I doubt it.
Perhaps there will be a crossing guard as promised. Perhaps the middle school students will like the fresh sidewalks and spontaneously use them. We will see soon enough. I advise you to continue to following the wise advice of the flashing yellow sign, long after it is removed from Edmondson Ave. “Stay Alert!”
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