Hereford Real Estate Agent

New Townhouses in Sparks Possible

There is a potential for new townhomes in Sparks, as plans were presented to the Sparks-Glencoe Community Planning Council Meeting in September.

The proposed development would be for 80 townhouses at York Road and Fila Way just north of Hunt Valley and Shawan Road.

Fila used to have a large plant behind this area, and had been zoned for more development. Obrecht, the developers, felt residential improvements would be better for the surrounding Sparks community.

The townhouses in Sparks-Glencoe would start at $400,000 each, and would have two or three bedrooms, according to an article in the Cockeysville Patch.

How would you feel about new townhouses in Sparks? Do you think the area needs more homes? Would you be interested in them?

Do you think new townhouses would make Sparks house values higher or lower?

Each neighborhood in Sparks is different. Contact me for more information on your Sparks house value.

Baltimore County 4th of July Parades 2011

Baltimore County has a number of 4th of July parades this weekend, and the Baltimore County Government just updated their site.

Here is a list of the Baltimore County 4th of July fireworks, which are separate from the parades.

Most of the parades are on Monday, but there is one on Saturday and one in Timonium on Sunday as well. Hereford’s parade is next weekend.

Here is the list of 4th of July parades in Baltimore County, per their website:

Saturday, July 2

Middleborough Community Association
Begin: 9 a.m.
End: noon
Route: Formation area: Middleborough Elementary School lot. Route: West Rd., right on Middleborough, left on Antietam, left on Tred Avon, left on Nanticoke, right on Midlleborough, left on Worton, right on Sassafrass, left on Middleborough, left on West Rd. to Middleborough Elementary School.

Sunday, July 3

Pine Valley / Valleywood Community Association
Begin: 3:30 p.m.
End: 4 p.m.
Route: Formation area: Deep Dale Ct. Route: Start at Deep Dale Ct., left onto Pine Valley Drive and right onto to Sandee Road.

Monday, July 4

Arbutus Recreation Council
Begin: 12:30 p.m.
End: 1 p.m.
Route: Formation area: Tom Day Boulevard Route: Tom Day Boulevard to Carville Avenue to East Drive. End at Super Fresh store parking lot.

Catonsville Celebrations Committee
Begin: 3 p.m.
End: 5:30 p.m.
Route: Formation area: Montrose Avenue; Bloomingdale Avenue; Route: Starting at Montrose Avenue and Frederick Road, proceed east on Frederick Road to Bloomsbury Avenue, turn right on Bloomingdale.

Coachford / Springlake Community Association
Begin: 10 a.m.
End: 11 a.m.
Route: Formation area: Galewood Circle-Timonium; Route: Galewood Road, right on Tregarone, right on Hartfell, left on Fallsbrook Road, left on Springlake Drive, left into Pot Spring School parking lot.

Colonial Village Neighborhood Association
Begin: 9:30 a.m.
End: 10:30 a.m.
Route: Formation: Lowell Drive at Deerfield Road / Lowell Drive; Route: east Lowell Drive, south on Plymouth Road, west on Concord Road, east to park behind Concord Road.

Dundalk Heritage Parade Committee
Begin: 8 a.m.
End: 1 p.m.
Route: Formation Area: Logan Village Shopping Center. Route: North on Dundalk Avenue, east on Belcare, north on Liberty Parkway, west on Dunglow Road, west on Dunmanway, north on Shipping Place, east on Shipway, north on Admiral Boulevard, south on Liberty Parkway to Dunmanway.

Glyndon Community Association, Inc
Begin: 10 a.m.
End: noon
Route: Formation area: Albright Avenue. Route: Albright Avenue east to Central Avenue, north onto Central to Chatsworth Avenue, west onto Chatsworth to Railroad Avenue, south onto Railroad to Albright Avenue.

Greater Kingsville Civic Association
Begin: 10 a.m.
End: 11 a.m.
Route: Formation area: Kingsville Fire Hall, Bradshaw Road and St. Stephen’s Church lot for fire trucks and large vehicles. Route: from Kingsville Volunteer Fire Department grounds, down Bradshaw Road, right on Jerusalem Road, at judges viewing stand to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Street parking lot.

Sudbrook Park Inc.
Begin: 10 a.m.
End: 11 a.m.
Route: Formation area: Triangle at Adana Road, Kingston Road and Windsor Road. Dispersal area: Playground McHenry Road. Route: Parade travels up Adana Road, turns right into Carysbrook Road, turns right onto Olmstead Road, turns left onto McHenry and ends at playground on McHenry Road.

Towson Area Fourth of July Parade
Begin: 10:30 a.m.
End: 1 p.m.
Route: Formation: Towson University (Burke & Bosley) disperse at Burke & Washington Avenue. Route: Bosley Ave. to Allegheny Ave. to Washington Ave.

Wilson Point Civic Association
Begin: 9 a.m.
End: 10:30 a.m.
Route: Formation Area: Middle River Vol. Fire Co & Beech Drive-Route: Right onto Wilson Point Road-right onto Dogwood Drive, left onto Shore Road, left onto Hazel Drive, left onto Wilson Point Road, to the Middle River Vol. Fire Company’s lot for disbursement. Distance total 1.6 miles.

Sunday, July 10

Hereford Independence Day July Parade
Begin: 6 p.m.
End: 8 p.m.
Route: Formation area: Hereford SHA lot; beginning at Hereford Shopping Center, start east on Mt. Carmel Rd to North onto York Road (Rte 45) end at Hereford High School.

 

Celebrate Independence Day right here in Baltimore County!

 

Towson High Schools Rank in Newsweek Top 500

Towson High Schools were ranked in Newsweek’s Top 500 list on June 19, 2011, and Towson residents should be proud.

Seven Baltimore County Schools made the list (18 total for the State of Maryland). According to the Newsweek article:

…each school’s score is comprised of six components: graduation rate (25%), college matriculation rate (25%), AP tests taken per graduate (25%), average SAT/ACT scores (10%), average AP/IB/AICE scores (10%), and AP courses offered (5%).

Carver Center led the Towson pack at #232. Towson High School ranked #413, and Loch Raven High ranked #443.

Other Baltimore County High Schools that made the list were Essex Technical (#131!), Hereford High School in Sparks was #219, Pikesville High #388, and Dulaney High School in Timonium #446.

It goes to show why many feel living in Towson is great!

Hereford Golf Center

The Hereford Golf Center in Parkton, MD provides an afternoon of fun for kids of all ages.

The driving range provides a place to practice your swing with its’ large number of tee boxes. You can get a large or small bucket of balls, sign up for lessons, or buy goods in their pro shop.

Mini golf (called Lost Falls Miniature Golf Course) helps you practice your short game with its’ complex holes and beautiful setting. There are only a handful of miniature golf places in Baltimore, and this is a great one! My son thoroughly enjoyed the course, especially because the holes have flags, just like a “real” golf course.

Hereford Golf Center is located just off York Rd a little north of the Mt Carmel Rd exit off I-83 North. It is in Hereford or Parkton, depending on whom you talk to — either way, it is a quick jaunt from 83!

Mini golf is $4 for children under 12, $5 for adults. The driving range has small buckets of balls for $5, large for $8, and $12 for an extra large bucket.

So enjoy an afternoon or evening out in bucolic northern Baltimore County. You very well may see my family there!

Baltimore 4th of July Events

Baltimore has many 4th of July events for people to enjoy.

The largest one is in Downtown Baltimore called “Ports of America Chesapeake Fourth of July Celebration”. Entertainment begins at 2 pm with the jazz band Lovecraft, and at 8 pm the Naval Academy’s Electric Brigade begins at 8 pm.

Fireworks are scheduled to go off at 9:30 pm and can be seen from the Inner Harbor, Fell’s Point, Federal Hill, and other places around the harbor. The music and entertainment is located in the Inner Harbor at Harborplace Amphitheater located at 401 Light Street.

Friday and Saturday, the 2nd & 3rd, Harborplace celebrates its’ 30th Anniversary. Since it was opened in 1980, they are having 80′s themed Anniversary fun, so you can join in and hopefully have a blast!

In Baltimore County, at Oregon Ridge in Cockeysville, the BSO Start Spangled Spectacular happens both July 3rd & 4th! Gates open at 5 pm and the concert begins at 8 pm. Tickets are available online now. It culminates in a huge fireworks display accompanied by the Orchestra.

There are a number of places in Baltimore County where fireworks are scheduled on the 3rd, 4th and 5th, so you can enjoy three nights in a row! Baltimore County’s website lists:

July 3, 2010

Baltimore Country Club (rain date July 4)
11500 Mays Chapel Road

Catonsville High School (rain date July 4)
421 Bloomsbury Avenue, Catonsville

Eastern Yacht Club (no rain date)
918 Seneca Road, The Barge

Grange Elementary School (rain date July 5)
2000 Church Road, Dundalk

Oregon Ridge Park (no rain date)
13401 Beaver Dam Road

The Suburban Club (rain date July 5)
7600 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, 21209

Woodholme Country Club (rain date July 5)
300 Woodholme Avenue

July 4, 2010

Fullerton Park (rain date July 5)
4208 Fullerton Avenue

Loch Raven Academy (rain date July 5)
8101 LaSalle Road

Oregon Ridge Park (no rain date)
13401 Beaver Dam Road

July 5, 2010

Hereford High School (rain date July 6)
17220 York Road, Hereford

For parades and more daytime fun, the Baltimore County website shows quite a few from Kingsville to Towson to Catonsville!

Saturday, July 3

Arbutus Recreation Council
Begin: 12:30 p.m.
End: 1 p.m.
Route: Formation area: Tom Day Boulevard Route: Tom Day Boulevard to Carville Avenue to East Drive. (Super Fresh store parking lot)

Catonsville Celebrations Committee
Begin: 3 p.m.
End: 5:30 p.m.
Route: Formation area: Montrose Avenue; Bloomingdale Avenue; Route: Starting at Montrose Avenue and Frederick Road, proceed east on Frederick Road to Bloomsbury Avenue, turn right on Bloomingdale.

Dundalk Heritage Parade Committee
Begin: 8 a.m.
End: 1 p.m.
Route: Formation Area: Logan Village Shopping Center. Route: North on Dundalk Avenue, east on Belcare, north on Liberty Parkway, west on Dunglow Road, west on Dunmanway, north on Shipping Place, east on Shipway, north on Admiral Boulevard, south on Liberty Parkway to Dunmanway.

Glyndon Community Association, Inc
Begin: 10 a.m.
End: noon
Route: Formation area: Albright Avenue. Route: Albright Avenue east to Central Avenue, north onto Central to Chatsworth Avenue, west onto Chatsworth to Railroad Avenue, south onto Railroad to Albright Avenue.

Hampton Improvement Association
Begin: 8:45 a.m.
End: 9 a.m.
Route: Formation: Dead end court Gateshead & Seminary Ave; Start north end of Gateshead Rd, down to St Francis Road left onto Valley View Drive, quick right in to Hampton Mansion farmhouse grounds.

Greater Kingsville Civic Association
Begin: 10 a.m.
End: 11 a.m.
Route: Formation area: Kingsville Fire Hall, Bradshaw Road and St. Stephen’s Church lot for fire trucks and large vehicles. Route: from Kingsville Volunteer Fire Department grounds, down Bradshaw Road, right on Jerusalem Road, at judges viewing stand to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Street parking lot.

Pine Valley / Valleywood Community Association
Begin: 10 a.m.
End: 10:45 a.m.
Route: Formation area: Pine Valley Drive and Presway Road; Start at Pine Valley Drive and Presway Road-South to Sandee Road left  then left on Rickswood Road into school (Pinewood Elementary) parking lot.

Towson Area Fourth of July Parade
Begin: 10:30 a.m.
End: 1 p.m.
Route: Formation: Towson University (Burke & Bosley) disperse at Burke & Washington Avenue.

Wilson Point Civic Association
Begin: 9 a.m.
End: 10:30 a.m.
Route: Formation Area: Middle River Vol. Fire Co & Beech Drive-Route: Right onto Wilson Point Road-right onto Dogwood Drive, left onto Shore Road, left onto Hazel Drive, left onto Wilson Point Road, to the Middle River Vol. Fire Company’s lot for disbursement. Distance total 1.6 miles.

Sunday, July 4

Sudbrook Park Inc.
Begin: 10 a.m.
End: 11 a.m.
Route: Formation area: Triangle at Adana Road, Kingston Road and Windsor Road. Dispersal area: Playground McHenry Road. Route: Parade travels up Adana Road, turns right into Carysbrook Road, turns right onto Olmstead Road, turns left onto McHenry and ends at playground on McHenry Road.

Coachford / Springlake Community Association
Begin: 10 a.m.
End: 11 a.m.
Route: Formation area: Galewood Circle-Timonium; Route: Galewood Road, right on Tregarone, right on Hartfell, left on Fallsbrook Road, left on Springlake Drive, left into Pot Spring School parking lot.

Colonial Village Neighborhood Association
Begin: 9:30 a.m.
End: 10:30 a.m.
Route: Formation: Lowell Drive at Deerfield Road / Lowell Drive; Route: east at Plymouth Road, south at Concord Road, west on Concord Ending at Salem Court.

Monday, July 5

Hereford Optimist Club
Begin: 5:30 p.m.
End: 8 p.m.
Route: Formation area: Hereford SHA lot; beginning at Hereford Shopping Center, start east on Mt. Carmel Rd to North onto York Road (Rte 45) end at Hereford High School.

Some culminate in the fireworks displays in the area.

So enjoy 4th of July in Baltimore. There is plenty to do!

Photo courtesy of Sam Howzit via Flickr CC

Chili Winter Days at Boordy Vineyards — this Weekend and Next!

Weekends have gotten a bit more interesting in Baltimore County at Boordy Vineyards.

Each weekend in January, Boordy hosts the “Chili Winter Days” from 1-5 pm, where you can drink Wassail while you tour the winery, and eat chili paired with their red wines if you are of age. Dean & Brown Catering is supplying the three chili choices, and the cost is $12 for adults, $10 for teens, and $5 for children aged 2-12.

Live music is on tap each weekend as well.

February brings “Fond of Your Fondue” weekends complete with marshmallow roasting on an open fire!

So if you are looking for something neat & different to do, then Boordy is the place to be on weekends in Winter.

Boordy Vineyards is located in beautiful Hydes, MD, (also known to many as Kingsville) right on the border of Baltimore County and Harford County. For a map and directions to Boordy, click here, and enjoy a taste of what Baltimore County has to offer!

New Baltimore County Recycling Begins February 1, 2010

On December 10, 2009, I announced the new Baltimore County Single Stream Recycling being implemented on February 1, 2010.

Well, here we are in late January, and it is coming very soon!

Here are the details — it’s SO easy — now everyone in Baltimore County can recycle without having to think too much about it!

What’s new & easy?

• It all goes into the same container! LIDS, CAPS, LABELS & RINGS are accepted now. No throwing the cap of the milk jug or soda bottle away anymore.
• Juice cartons, aluminium pans, AEROSOL cans, frozen food boxes — ALL NOW ACCEPTED!

The changes you need to make:

• NO MORE PLASTIC BAGS. They will not be accepting plastics/glass/etc in grocery bags anymore. (So now is the time to start using those reusable bags you may have for your groceries!)
• You can put your recyclables in small cardboard boxes, in 34 gallon or less recycling containers, or 34 gallon or less trash containers marked with an “X” or “RECYCLE”.

Click here for the Baltimore County Single Stream Recycling website for all of the details.

I am thrilled that Baltimore County is implementing this new recycling system as the ease should help more residents to be involved in the program! Join in!

35 A Chesterfield Court – Monkton, Maryland
Offered at $599,000.00
UPDATE: SOLD

• Download the Brochure (PDF)
• Schedule an Appointment
• Ask a Question
• View the Property Plat

Explore this beautiful Monkton home for Sale at $599,000…

• First Floor
• Kitchen/Family Room
• Second Floor
• Finished Basement
• Exterior and Features
• Neighborhood

Read more