HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

ZONING DOCKET FOR TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2008
ROOM 215, CITY HALL
12:30P.M.-1:00 P.M. GENERAL MEETING
1:00 P.M. ZONING DOCKET

NOTE: CASES MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE HEARD IN THE ORDER THAT THEY APPEAR ON THE DOCKET

APPEAL NO.  PREMISES   APPELLANT   PURPOSE OF APPEAL___________
375-07  336 Rossiter Ave.   Edward Dangerfield   To construct a 1-sty. rear addition & 2-
(P.P From 3/4/08)         sty. side addition.

1. 3036 Bevdon Ln.   William Rothman   To construct a 260 ft. cell tower.

(P.P/Repost from 3/4/08)
142-08  1802-04 Edmondson Ave.  Joseph Holt   To use portion of premises for private
(P.P from 4/1/08)         club & lodge for non-profit.
193-08  1508 Harford Ave.  Sprint Nextel   To erect a telecommunications facility
(P.P/Resch. from 4/1/08)        with antennas & related equipment.
294-08  2501 Baker St.   Alan Verschleisser   To use premises as a warehouse &
outdoor storage & sales of used machinery & equipment.
295-08  2909 E. Federal St.  Nathaniel Greene   To use entire premises for a daycare ctr.
& increase the number of children from 15-25.
296-08  3601 Edmondson Ave.  “ “ “  To use portion of premises basement as
      an office.
308-08  2244 W. Baltimore St.  Anthony Blackwell  To use 1st fl. for a convenience store &
      beauty salon.
309-08  1713 Belt St.   Robert Vaughters   To construct a 1-sty. rear addition.
313-08  5008 Invanhoe Ave.  Carlos Levine    To erect a 1-sty. rear addition to existing
      church.
314-08  1108 W. Lombard St.  Stephen Lazarz   To erect a 1st, 2nd & 3rd fl. rear addition
      with rear deck.
315-08  423 N. Bradford St.  Dennis Williams    To construct a 2-sty. rear addition to
      dwg.
316-08  23 S. Calhoun St.   Oke Johnson    To use premises as 3 dwg. units.
317-08  926 S. Belnord Ave.  Kolitas Enterprises   To construct a 1-sty. rear addition.
318-08  4535-39 Falls Rd.   Gopal Bishwakarma  To use portion of premises k/a 4535
Falls Rd. for prepared food delivery service, in conj. with existing carryout.
319-08  214 E. Lanvale St.  New Second Baptist Church  To use portion of existing church for a
      daycare ctr. for 16 children.
320-08  707 Gorsuch Ave.  Lauren Arrington   To construct a rear deck along side of
      dwg.
321-08  3611 Southern Ave.  Robert Raber    To construct a 6 ft. high fence along
      front of property.
322-08  710 S. Broadway    Klitos Solomides    To use outdoor front for outdoor table
      seating, in conj. with existing
      restaurant.
323-08  712 S. Broadway    “ “ “  “ “ “ “ “
324-08  938-40 S. Conkling St.  Stanley Fine   To use 2nd fl. as a tavern/restaurant, in
conj. with existing tavern/restaurant on the 1st fl.
325-08  2643 Maryland Ave.  Michael Freidman  To continue to use premises for 3 dwg.
      units.
326-08  201 E. Lanvale St.  Susan Findlay    To use premises for 4 dwg. units.
328-08  1136 Sargeant St.   Nestor Zabala    To erect a 2-sty. addition.
329-08  5000 Harford Rd.   Pervaiz Kahn   To use portion of premises as a
convenience store, in conj. with existing auto service station.
3:00 P.M. DOCKET
233-08  1007 E. Pratt St.   James Seay   To use portion of 1st fl. for small parts
(Repost from 4/29/08)        assembly for amusement rides.
277-08  1701 W. Fayette St.  Bharahben Chudlury   To use premises as a carryout.
(P/P from 4/29/08)
310-08  2040 E. Pratt St.   AB Associates   To use premises for 3 dwg. units & erect
additions to the 2nd & 3rd fls. with 2 rooftop decks.
330-08  526-30 St. Paul Pl.  Stanford R. Britt   To use premises for 2 dwg. units, in
      conj. with existing offices.
331-08  3915 Callaway Ave.  Leslie Harris    To erect a 1-sty. addition on south side
of bldg. for existing housing for the elderly facility.
333-08  2572 McCulloh St.  Kwame Taylor    To house 3 dwg. units.
334-08  919 Binney St.   Ereni Gleason-Malfa   To construct a 2nd sty. rear addition with
      rear deck.
337-08  1150 Washington Blvd.  Donald Cannata   To construct a 2-sty. rear addition with
      rear & rooftop decks.
338-08  1920 Belair Rd.   James A. Winslow  To erect a 1-sty. garage for parking of
      church buses.
339-08  1934 Wilkens Ave.  Charles Louis Wildner   To house 4 dwg. units.
340-08  334 E. 25th St.   AB Associates   “ “ “ “ “
361-08  1515 N. Fulton Ave.  Sheila Graham   To use premises for offices and daycare

THE HARBEL FLEA MARKET SCHEDULED FOR TODAY, SATURDAY, MAY 10TH, 2008 HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN.  IT IS RESCHEDULED FOR:

SATURDAY, MAY 31ST
FROM 9 AM – 1 PM
AT
5807 HARFORD ROAD
SEE YOU THERE

MAYOR SHEILA DIXON REPORT

BALTIMORE CITY COUNCIL HOME PAGE

HOME & GARDEN TOUR, JUNE 8TH, 2008

Hi, all-

Thanks for such a positive response to the Home and Garden Tour! We are on for our event and I want you to attend a meeting on Monday, April 7th at 7PM to receive information on how to participate. There will be sangria, cheese and fruit for you consumption and enjoyment. I will confirm the location next week. Please RSVP.

In short you should identify a home in your neighborhood and secure a commitment from the homeowner as soon as possible. If you need me to join you in meeting with the homeowner I am more than happy to do so. If you need help identifying the home please contact me as soon as possible. NOGLI will be offering each neighborhood a small grant to cover costs of your open house event including: modest decorations, children’s activities, snacks, door prizes, etc. More detailed information will be presented on April 7th which is only 2 months away from the event.

Here’s a brief timeline. The block party is currently being organized.

1-5PM house tour

4-8PM block party

1:00PM – Red Canoe Garden to Register for house tour, or at individual houses

1:15PM – first shuttle leaves for a 30 minute route. Tickets give free rides all day. Can stay at one location and be picked up at another later.

3:00PM             Block party set up

4:00PM             Last shuttle run
                        Block Party begins

5:00                  House Tour shuts down

8:00PM             Block Party Shuts down

Feel free to call with questions,
lorrie

Lorrie Schoettler
Executive Director
Neighborhoods of Greater Lauraville, Inc.
3009 Montebello Terrace
Baltimore, MD 21214
410-444-9188
www.greaterlauraville.com


HARBEL NEWS:

APPLY NOW TO SAVE THE HOMESTEAD DISCOUNT ON YOUR BALTIMORE CITY OR COUNTY PROPERTY TAXES

IF YOU JUST RECEIVED A REASSESSMENT NOTICE and IF YOU ARE A HOMEOWNER LIVING IN YOUR OWN HOME, you received a HOMESTEAD TAX CREDIT ELIGIBILITY APPLICATION in the reassessment package you were mailed, or you can follow the instructions to file online.

Fill it in, answering the 5 questions. Sign it, and mail it immediately to:  

Department of Assessments and Taxation
Homestead Tax Credit Division
301 West Preston Street, 8th floor
Baltimore, Maryland 21201

In Baltimore City , the Mayor and City Council protect homeowners from paying excessive property taxes due to reassessments.  Assessments may double or more, but homeowners pay only 4% more in property taxes than they paid the year before.  So if your 2007 property tax bill was $1,000 and your assessment doubled, for example, the property tax WOULD NOT DOUBLE.  The 2008 tax bill would be only $1,040. 

But you must apply for the Homestead Tax Credit to be eligible for this Baltimore City benefit.  A new State law requires all homeowners TO APPLY for the 4% discount, for the first time. (To weed-out absentee owners from illegally claiming it.)

If you have lost your Homestead application, State Assessments and Taxation will mail you another copy, along with a self-addressed envelope.  Call 410-767-2165.  Ask for another Homestead Eligibility Application.  Give your name and address. You should receive the application in 2 weeks.

If you have further questions you can visit the Maryland Department of Assessments website at www.dat.state.md.us

******************************************************
GRANT ANNOUNCEMENT

The HARBEL Community Organization, Inc. is pleased to announce it has received $10,000 from the Baltimore Community Foundation to be awarded in grants of no more than $1,000 to projects or events that will benefit the community.  The grants will be awarded by HARBEL’s Neighborhood Grant Allocation Committee.  The grant must support and stimulate resident involvement.  The grant must create positive and visible change within the neighborhood.  The grant should strengthen your association or improve your community.  Neighborhood Association Partnerships are welcomed and encouraged, however, no organization or event may receive more than one grant totaling $1,000.  For more information concerning this exciting program contact Mike Hilliard at HARBEL at harbel.necop@juno.com or 410-444-2100.
******************************************************

The Patrol is active throughout the Northeast District.  It Patrols every Thursday, Friday, and every other Saturday from 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM.  For its nine years of existence it has served as a great crime deterrent for the communities of Northeast Baltimore .  If you want to become a part of the solution to preventing crime in your neighborhood, contact Mike Hilliard at HARBEL at 410-444-2100 or at harbel.necop@juno.com to participate in this effort supported by the Police Commissioner and has been endorsed by the Governor, the Mayor, and recognized by members of the U.S. Congress.
************************************************
HARBEL is looking for someone with experience in managing human resources and benefits to volunteer for part time work.  HARBEL administers a pension program for employees as well as offering medical and dental insurance.  A few days a week or a few hours would be greatly appreciated.  Please call Executive Director Naomi Benyowitz, 410-444-2100 for more details and to set up an appointment.
***************************************************************
HARBEL IS COLLECTING PAPER TO BE RECYLCED

HARBEL is collecting paper to be recycled.  If you have paper you would like to recycle please feel free to place it the green and yellow dumpster in the rear of our building at 5807 Harford Road marked “PAPER RECYCLING”.   Please only place paper in the dumpster.  The recycler donates money to HARBEL based upon the amount of paper we recycle.  This is an easy and environmentally friendly way to help sustain HARBEL’s services to your community.
*****************************************************
FREE ADOLESCENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION GROUPS AVAILABLE TO CHURCHES, SCHOOLS, AND COMMUNITY GROUPS FROM HARBEL

Are you interested in helping prevent substance abuse by youth?  HARBEL Prevention and Recovery Center is offering free prevention groups to churches, community groups, and after school programs for upper elementary and middle school age youth residing in Northeast Baltimore City . Groups use materials evaluated by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health System Administration that have been shown to reduce youthful involvement in substance abuse. Arts-based activities and interactive discussions keep groups lively and fun. Upper elementary level groups meet for 11 sessions and middle school level groups meet for 14 sessions. Evening and weekend times are available. Call Karen Lydick at 410-444-2100 ext. 1028 to explore the possibility of offering one or more free groups at your church, school, or community group.
*************************************************************
DONATE YOUR OLD CELL PHONE TO HARBEL

HARBEL is looking for old cell phones and printer cartridges to be donated to us as part of a fundraiser.  Just bring them over to our office during our regular business hours: Mon-Thurs. 9am-9pm, Fri. 9am-7:30 pm or Sat. from 9am-3pm.  For more information contact Naomi Benyowitz at 410-444-2100.
****************************************************
HARBEL PREVENTION AND RECOVERY CENTER

HARBEL Prevention and Recovery Center is a state certified program which offers outpatient substance abuse treatment services to adults and adolescents in Northeast Baltimore .  We provide individual and group counseling services to support members of the community on the path to recovery from addiction. Services are provided at 5807 Harford Road , as well as in local schools. Schools in which we provide services include: City College High School , Lake Clifton , Thurgood Marshall, Archbishop Curley, Catholic High, and IND.  Our counseling services are provided by staff that are licensed or certified by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors or by graduate level interns who are supervised by a LCSW-C. Our Harford Road location is located on the number 19 bus line, and also has free parking available.  We welcome self referrals, as well as referrals from attorneys, physicians, parole and probation, and community agencies.  Treatment services are provided to uninsured Baltimore City residents, and offered on a sliding fee scale.   All services require an appointment. Please call 410-444-2100 to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment.



BALTIMORE CITY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM PARENT COMMUNITY ADVISORY BOARD MEETINGS (PCAB)

Michael Carter the Chairman of the PCAB invites you to attend the following listed meetings of the PCAB at 6:30 PM in the 1st Floor Board Room at the Baltimore City Schools’ Headquarters building at 200 E. North Avenue .  He reminds us that parental and community involvement is critical to the success or our public schools.

April 7,21; May 12,26; June 9.
****************************************************************

Self Defense Classes Offered

On Tuesday evenings from 7 to 8 p.m. beginning on April 1 and running until May 27, a free one hour self defense class will be offered to 5 pairs of mother/daughter, Aunt/niece, Female mentor/mentored couples--the youngest of the pairing being 13 - 21. The classes will be held at the Messiah, Episcopal Church on Harford Rd and White Ave. Enrollment is on a first come, first served basis. Please call Michele Hax at 410-254-4602 or email budograndmom@aol.com. for more information or to sign up.

ATTENDANCE AT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MEETINGS BY THE OFFICERS OF THE NORTHEAST DISTRICT COMMUNITY RELATIONS UNIT

Police officers of the Northeast District's Community Relations Unit will attend your community association’s meeting if your leadership requests their appearance.  Requests for their appearance can be made via Email to either Sergeant Chris Tserkis at chris.tserkis@baltimorepolice.org or to Officer Dave Blumberg at david.blumberg@baltimorepolice.org or by calling them at 410-889-6499 and leaving a message.  You will need to provide your day and evening phone numbers and your Email address so that they can re contact you along with the day, date, time, and location of your meeting.  They ask that requests be made 2 weeks in advance of the meeting.  Once the request is received they will re contact you to provide a time frame within your scheduled meeting that they will be able to attend your meeting as they may be attending multiple community meetings on the same evening as your request.  They ask that you make a request for each community meeting you would like them to attend.
********************************************************
WEBSITE FOR INFORMATION AND PREVENTION CONCERNING GANGS IN MARYLAND

The website “Maryland Gangs: Information and Prevention” (www.gangs.umd.edu) is now available in both an English and Spanish version. Please feel free to use any information on the website to inform yourselves and your community about gangs in Maryland .
******************************************************
OPPORTUNITY FOR THOSE 60 AND OLDER

The Baltimore Experience Corps, a program that provides an opportunity for older adults to help improve academic success of children in the Baltimore Public School System will be expanding from 12 schools to 15 schools in the 2006-2007 school years.  Dr. Linda Fried , of the Johns Hopkins of Center on Aging and Health is leading a study of health promotion and volunteering to research the benefits of being a volunteer, and is looking for older adults interested in participating in the Baltimore Experience Corps Study.  Participants in this study should be age 60 or over, and be willing to volunteer 15 hours a week in kindergarten through third grade. They will be randomly assigned to either volunteer in a Baltimore Experience Corps school or contribute by being in a comparison group Volunteers in the schools also receive recognition through a small stipend to help with any out-of-pocket expenses, and all members are compensated for participation in the evaluation. Older adults are invited to attend an information meeting. Join us and learn more about the Baltimore Experience Corps study!  Contacting Gene Graves at 410-807-1785 or by e-mail at cgraves1@jhmi.edu  JHU IRB# NA_00001250
**********************************************************************
Foreclosure Assistance Available Through 311

Even though stabilizing over the past few years, Baltimore City still has a relatively high foreclosure rate, which negatively impacts working families and neighborhoods.  But now, through the efforts of the Baltimore Homeownership Preservation Coalition (BHPC), citizens that are having trouble paying their mortgage have access to free and immediate help by calling the City's 311 Call Center.  When citizens call 311 they will be transferred to a national hotline (1-888-995-HOPE) where HUD-approved nonprofit counselors are available 24/7 to provide free assistance and information.  Please call 311 Today. . . Every Minute Counts.
****************************************************
FAITH COMMUNITY METHODIST THRIFT SHOP – “NIFTY THRIFTY”

“Nifty Thrifty” offers great used clothing and flea market item at Faith Community United Methodist Church, 5317 Harford Road .  It is open every Friday & Saturday from 10 AM to 12 PM
***************************************************
BALTIMORE CITY NEEDS MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Although Baltimore residents, who are current homeowners, have seen their property values rising over the past few years, many other residents are finding it difficult to buy or rent housing in our city. The rise in home sale prices has also lead to higher rents and more challenges in becoming a first time homebuyer. In fact, some city employees working as police officers, teachers and fire fighters have experienced this problem. To address this important issue, the Baltimore City Council established a special task force to study concrete ways for the city to produce (or support production of) more affordable housing units.

If you want more information on the subject, invite a speaker for your next community meeting to share information on the task force recommendations and future City Council bills to implement these recommendations. Members of Beyond the Boundaries Metro East Regional Team, who have experience in housing and community development issues, are willing to present the details and answer residents' questions. To schedule a speaker, contact Dorothy Dobbyn at 443/386-2312 (days) or 410/889-4406 (evenings).
**************************************************
Baltimore Chapter of the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN)

ICAN  meets on the second Saturday of each month from Sept. through May at 10:30 a.m. 

ICAN's purpose is to lower the cesarean rate through education and to provide a support network for women and their partners who are healing from past birth experiences.   You don't have to have had a cesarean in order to attend.  Meetings are free and open to everyone.

The location for meetings is St. Anthony of Padua Church , lower church hall, 4414 Frankford Ave in Gardenville.  Look for the ICAN signs that are posted shortly before meetings begin to find the correct entrance.

For info contact Barbara Stratton ICANofBaltimore@comcast.net or 410-483-3202  or see ICAN's website at www.ican-online.org
***************************************************
RECYCLING OF ELECTRONICS ITEMS

Baltimore City residents can recycle electronics items (televisions, computer monitors, keyboards, and computers) at the Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Solid Waste’s Eastern Sanitation Yard at 6101 Bowleys Lane .

Baltimore County residents can recycle electronics items (televisions, computer monitors, keyboards, and computers) at the Baltimore County Resource Recovery Facility on Warren Road between I-83 and York Road in Cockeysville .
**************************************************
JOIN BOY SCOUT TROOP 146

Boy Scout Troop 146, that meets in the Scout Room at Epiphany Lutheran Church at 4301 Raspe Ave., invites young men between the ages of 10 ½ to 17 seeking fun, friendship, and adventure to join them.  The Troop offers opportunities to build friendships, self confidence, leadership skills, and respect for others and the environment.  Activities include weekly meetings, monthly camping trips, and activities such as bowling, fishing, and hiking.  For more information contact Scoutmaster Donald Bayne at 410-254-7859.

*********************************************

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE GROUP HOME HOTLINE?

Do you have questions about whether a home is a group home? Do you have concerns about the safety of the children in a group home?  The State of Maryland oversees a Group Home Hotline. The hotline serves as the central point of contact for questions and concerns about all the group homes in the State of Maryland and is available Mondays through Fridays from 8:00AM until 5:00PM.  After-hours calls will go to a voicemail system, and messages will be retrieved on the next business day and returned within 24 hours. 
STATE OF MARYLAND GROUP HOME HOTLINE 1-866-718-5496 
******************************************************
WOMEN’S DRUMMING CLASSES

African Rhythms on Djembe and Dununs, Sunday Nights, Beginner Class: 4 PM – 5 PM, Intermediate Class: 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM, Sankofa Dance Theater, 2901 Druid Park Drive , Baltimore , MD 21211 .  $12 per class.  Drop ins welcome.  Call 24 hours in advance if you need a drum.  Drum rental $4.  For more information call 443-956-1409 or Email tammi_waffle@yahoo.com.
*******************************************
Baltimore City Council is Online

You can search for pending Baltimore City Council Bills online by setting your browser to www.baltimorecitycouncil.com.  By clicking on “The Legislative Information Center” link you can search for bills by key words, subject, or bill number.  By clicking on the text of the bill you can read a summary of the bill and you can see the bill’s legislative history.  By clicking on the attachment entitled, “Legislative File Text,” you can read, print, and download the bill’s full text.
**************************************************
INFORMATION CONCERNING MEDICAID AND MEDICAIRE

Medicare beneficiaries who are also on Medicaid and those who previously were enrolled in the Maryland Pharmacy Assistance Program have a Hotline to contact if they are encountering problems getting their drugs. Beneficiaries should call: 1-800-638-3403.

Please share this information freely with friends, families, and agencies serving the Medicare Population. 

For further information you can contact Regina Curran at 410-661-1988 or via Email at rmcurran@bcpl.net.
********************************************
FITNESS FUN AND GAMES

The Fitness Fun & Games Community Center needs volunteer painters, ages 13 through adult on Saturdays.  Come for two hours, or more, either or both days.  Come on your own, or with family members, friends or a group (church groups, scouts, fraternities, sororities or service clubs are welcome).  This three-floor, nonprofit youth development center needs a facelift!  Your help for a few hours could provide years of cheer for children that use the building.  Call Angie, at 410-444-5778 to register.  May qualify for service hours for school or church.  Your generous gift of time and talent will be greatly appreciated!  Feel free to pass this message on to others that may be interested.  The building address is 3309 Bayonne Ave. , 21214.

SKATES NEEDED:  If you have outgrown inline roller blades, please donate them to the nonprofit youth program at Fitness Fun & Games at 3309 Bayonne Ave. , 21214, 410-444-5778.  You can drop them off between 2 and 8 p.m., M-F.  All sizes needed from preschool to adult.

AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM - FREE or reduced fees available for eligible families.  Openings available at Fitness Fun & Games, 3309 Bayonne Avenue , 21214, for ages 5 to 14.  Includes FREE AFTERSCHOOL TRANSPORTATION from Glenmount, Gardenville, Leithwalk, Hamilton Elementary/Middle, Garrett Heights , Purpose & Potential.  Dinner and evening hours also available until 8:30 p.m. (with fee).  410-444-5778

Group Leader for Fitness Fun & Games after school.  Share your talents with school age students in the Hamilton area.  Openings for preschool and elementary groups.  Must be over age 18 and available 2 to 5 afternoons per week, 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.  $7-$13/hour.  May be able to bring your own child.  410-433-2719 any time.

SUBSTITUTE CHILDCARE PROVIDER for ages 2 to 4 or ages 5 to 14 in the 21210, 21211, 21223, & 21224 Zip Codes.  Occasional hours, usually between 2 and 6 PM, but there may also be other hours between 6:30 AM and 2 PM, if desired.  A great opportunity for a retired teacher, a college student, a full time mom (you can bring your child, if over 2 years old) or someone who works a flexible work schedule.  Must be over 18 years old.  $7 to $11/hour.  Call Meg McFadden 410-433-2719 day or evening.

VOLUNTEER POSITIONS AVAILABLE:
Director of Volunteers and Director of Development - Share your talents with a local nonprofit youth development program, serving the northeast area.  Hours and responsibilities tailored to meet your schedule and interests.  Call Meg McFadden, Fitness Fun & Games, Inc., 410-433-2719, as soon as possible, day or evening.

Host for Building Rentals – Usual hours would include Saturday mornings, afternoons &/or evenings and Sunday mornings and/or afternoons, flexible according to your schedule, at 3309 Bayonne Avenue , 21214.

Call Meg McFadden, 410-433-2719, day or evening.

FINGERPRINTING service available for child care providers, foster care, etc., Tuesday & Thursday, 6:30 - 8 p.m., by appointment, at the Fitness Fun & Games Community Center , 3309 Bayonne Ave. , $5/card, 410-444-5778.

HELP WANTED - PART TIME Driver for After school Van - 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. to pick up students at two schools in Hamilton for Fitness Fun & Games.  Child care available for your child.  Potential for summer work also.  410-433-2719.
**********************************************
Clutterers Anonymous

A New 12 Step Group forming in Northeast Baltmore

Wednesday nights, 7-8 PM, Faith Community United Methodist Church (formerly, St. John's of Hamilton Church), Harford Road and Gibbons Avenue, Room 10- in the basement, down the hall past the Scout Room.

This meeting follows the 12 Steps of A.A. and Al-Anon/Alateen but deals exclusively with "clutter" and de-cluttering. It is an anonymous fellowship; (quoting the literature) "the only requirement for membership is a desire to eliminate clutter and bring order into our lives."

Decluttering is not merely eliminating, but gradually transforming our space so that we surround ourselves only with things that express our purpose. It means turning something useless into something useful; creating more leisure and space; being more honest in our relationships; eliminating distractions and simplifying our lives in order to find our spiritual roots....."

For more information on Clutterers Anonymous, see the CLA website at http://www.clutterersanonymous.net