For updated Virtual Community Meeting information, please see below
lria'S 2021 MEMBERSHIP DRIVE IS NOW LIVE!
Join or Renew Your Membership Today!
Getting involved in your community is a great way to show support for the many ways your neighbors work to ensure that you have a neighborhood that is safe, clean, and strong.
The many advantages of getting involved with the Loch Raven Improvement Association, Inc. are:
- Make change! Discuss issues that bring improvement to the community
- Help preserve property values by addressing substandard housing conditions
- Meet new neighbors of diverse interests and skillsets
- Help plan community events and social activities
- Add community service or volunteer credit to your resume
- Gain leadership skills
Community Pitch-In Dumpster Day
Between the rain and drizzle, the LRIA still held our 2021 Community Pitch-In Dumpster Day event on Saturday, May 8th, 2021, from 10am to 2pm. We didn't quite fill the dumpster as anticipated, but a successful event nonetheless.
Thank you Herman, Al, and Luis for braving the elements and volunteering your time, all in an effort to allow Loch Raven residents the convenience of disposing of unwanted household items into a roll-off dumpster, without charge.
Lovin' Loch Raven Community Food Drive
Simply Awesome!!!
These are the two words that describe our first Lovin' Loch Raven Community Food Giveaway.
On Saturday, May 1st, 2021, the Loch Raven Improvement Association hosted another very successful neighborhood event, in giving away 100 bags of non-perishable food to the community. With eleven volunteers participating in this food giveaway, the LRIA showed that even during difficult times, we are here to support those in need.
Planning is already underway for a second food giveaway, with discussion for an even larger, more ambitious event for residents of our community. Please plan on joining us... volunteers are always welcome!
ATTENTION URBAN GARDENERS!!!
The LRIA and the Immanuel Lutheran Church are entering discussions for a Joint Community Garden project, just north of, and adjacent to the upper church parking lot at 5701 Loch Raven Boulevard.
This venture offers a tremendous opportunity of turning unused space into a green, productive plot of land where residents can gather to grow fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers, while also enjoying fresh air, exercise, and an overall healthy lifestyle.
But like all other ventures, this will require planning... identifying resources, developing a budget, preparing the site, and establishing rules... all before the first seed is sewn.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED NOW to form a steering committee that will develop a comprehensive strategy to kickstart this project. The pleasure of gardening awaits us and your participation is essential if this endeavor is to be successful. Contact the LRIA today, sign-up to be part of the team, and get involved in what could be a most enjoyable gardening experience for our Loch Raven community.
Interested in joining the committee?
LRIA Mayor's Spring Cleanup Event - A HUGE SUCCESS
LRIA’s 2021 Mayor’s Spring Cleanup Event on Saturday, April 24th, was a huge success, with over eighteen community volunteers participating in the event, including representation from both the police and fire departments.
With the largest participation ever, our team successfully refreshed the flowerbeds and landscaping at all three community signs and entryway to Yorkwood Elementary School, removed trash and debris from the inroads to our community, and installed new flags at the Hillen Road @ E. Northern Parkway location.
A beautiful outcome to a beautiful day, residents of Loch Raven should be extremely proud of the effort put forth by members of this community, who continue to contribute their time and effort to keep our neighborhood clean, attractive and strong for all who live here. Volunteers are always welcome.
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Illegal Signs
'Tis the season for illegal signs to begin popping up in and around the community, many of which are advertisements for a company claiming to buy houses. This, and other solicitations for personal or business services, are very common nuisances that visually destroy the beauty and integrity of a neighborhood.
Please know that it is illegal to place any type of sign, advertising or political, on the city's right of way and that penalties can be as high as $500 per sign to any company or person caught placing them around the city.
If you see an illegal sign in our Loch Raven neighborhood, you are asked to report it to 311.
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Dirt Bike Nuisances
ASSISTANCE NEEDED!!! Dirt bike nuisances will NOT be tolerated in the Loch Raven neighborhood. If you have information on operators, addresses or locations where dirt bikes are being stored, etc., please call 911, or text a tip, picture, or leave a voicemail to 443-902-4474.
You may remain anonymous!
Dirt Bikes are defined as any motorcycle or similar vehicle designed for use on rough surfaces such as dirt roads or trails that are not registered under the Maryland Vehicle Law. Examples of dirt bikes include minibikes and all-terrain vehicles (ATV) either of the three or four wheel variety. No person may drive or ride any dirt bike or other unregistered motorcycle or similar vehicle on any public or private property that is located within the city of Baltimore. In addition, no person may possess any dirt bike or any unregistered motorcycle within the city of Baltimore. No service station or any other person may sell or dispense motor fuel for delivery into any dirt bike or unregistered vehicle. Any person who violates this ordinance within the city of Baltimore is subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 for each offense or imprisonment for not more than 90 days.
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Retrieval of Trash Cans from Public Right-of-way
While there have been several contentious conversations relating to this topic, please be advised that it is each resident’s responsibility to remove your trash can(s) from the alley or public right-of-way within 24 hours after trash collection.
Interpretations of whether cans are blocking the alley or not blocking the alley, etc., are too many to entertain. Simply stated, if your cans are not removed from the alleyway after the designated timeframe, property owners may receive a violation notice or citation for failure to adhere to the Code.
Please know that ANY resident, at ANY time, may exercise his/her right to notify 311 Code Enforcement for non-compliance in this matter.
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Curbside Recycling Collection has resumed
Curbside recycling collection has resumed citywide. For our LRIA community, collection days resume on Fridays... so please, begin separating your "trash" from your recyclables and set out on your designated Recycling Day!
Remember, please use appropriate recycling containers... NO PLASTIC BAGS !!!
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BGE Scam Alert
BGE Warns Customers About Utility Scammers During COVID-19
With Maryland and the world experiencing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, BGE is reminding customers to always be on alert for potential scams targeting utility customers. BGE has seen an increase in scam reports over the past week with scammers attempting to use this health crisis to trick utility customers. Scammers are offering cash or credit incentives from BGE in order to obtain a customer’s personal or financial information.
Don't Get Scammed: Customers can avoid being scammed by taking a few precautions:
• Never provide your social security number or personal information to anyone initiating contact with you claiming to be a utility representative or requesting you to send money to another person or entity other than your local utility providers.
• Always ask to see a company photo ID before allowing any utility worker into your home or business.
• Do not give payment in any form- cash, check, or credit- to anyone coming to your door.
Any customer who believes he or she has been a target of a scam is urged to contact 911 and call BGE immediately at 800-685-0123 to report the situation.
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Community Health & Wellness
Stress is the body’s physical, mental, or emotional response to stimuli.
Stress is a normal part of life that could be a response to changes in one’s life or environment. Some short term stress can be life-saving (i.e. getting out of a danger), but many of us live in a near constant state of stress. Unlike short term stress which can be protective, constant or chronic stress can be harmful. Research has linked chronic stress with high blood pressure, clogged arteries, obesity, poor sleep, and brain changes linked to anxiety, depression, and addiction.
In an effort to encourage a healthy community, the Loch Raven Improvement Association will be starting a “Stress Less” Challenge. Participants who engage in 15+ minutes of stress lowering activities (laughing, meditating, exercise, etc.), 4+ days per week for 3+ weeks will be entered to win a prize pack!
If you are interested in participating or would like more details, please text Dena at 443-267-8380.
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Safety Advisory
The LRIA encourages ALL residents to remain vigilant against crime in our neighborhood by applying for a confidential CrimeWatch number, which may be used to report incidents to the 911 system without disclosing your personal identity.
IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!!! The safety of our neighborhood depends on YOU!!!