Baltimore Green Housing Village of Bear Creek

Photo: Courtesy The Village of Bear Creek

Baltimore Is Going Greener 

Finally, the East Coast is catching up with the West Coast. It appears Mark Building Company wasn't waiting around to bring customers a new green housing option - The Village of Bear Creek.  Built with eco friendly materials and proven to save money over time, these Baltimore County Homes are affordable and stylish.   The location of the homes are in Dundalk, Maryland which is close to Baltimore City, Interstates 695 and 95 and minutes from all Baltimore has to offer. 

Baltimore Has Struggled

Up until now, Baltimore has struggled with green home options, partially because the materials were high cost and construction of homes were not as affordable for the homeowner - until now.   

Their "Live Green Save Green" approach is key.

 Live Green Save Green 

In this case, the homebuilder has set pricing and mortgage payments very affordable as to where the new homebuyer may be paying less than renting in or around Baltimore.  The homebuilder is showcasing how these new homes will help save you money.

Residents Want Green

Baltimore has a single stream recycling program for City and County Residents.  There is a focus on being a greener community, and with this new green housing this is exactly what they need.

In Touch With Nature


It's not just the homes or great pricing, but Baltimore's Bear Creek has significance as one of the watershed connectors. Choosing this area for a green home puts the homebuyer in touch with nature and water and lets them live a greener life.

How is your state doing with green housing? 

Old Man Walters: Art Therapy

Read the Story of Old Man Walters, a 88 year old Dementia Patient that says, "Art is Healing" and is still making art.

Read my article originally posted on Associated Content here, and see what you think. about Art and Healing.

88 Year Old Baltimore Man with Dementia Recreating Art from Forty Years Ago: Son Says Art is Healing Therapy for Alzheimer's.

Behold the Cardboard Church!

Call it what you will but this story is nothing short of miraculous.

Dementia and Alzheimer's related illnesses are growing rapidly. Worldwide estimates vary between 18 million and 30 million people in the world suffering from some form of these illnesses, depending on which website you consult. The numbers may be askew, as they are always increasing, and some cases go unreported. The fact is people are silently suffering all around us. Someone you know or someone you love may be afflicted with one or more of these conditions.

This story is no exception.

It has been nearly ten years when my friend Donald Louis Booker quit his full time art career. Having been in the Baltimore art circuit as "DoLoBo" for nearly thirty years, he once made a living on providing everything from custom paintings to jewelry to private clients. He stated that he was going to be giving full time care to his elderly parents and left his clients mystified. There was however, a little more to the story.

Recently DoLoBo has come forth and explained that his stepfather had been diagnosed and suffering for the past decade from on-again, off-again spells of dementia and mild Alzheimer's. Most of the family was unaware, and it wasn't something that made dinner conversation. Old Man Walters, (also known as Joseph P. Walters, Sr, of Parkville, Maryland) is now 88 years old. He is a Veteran of World War II and spent his life working for (and retiring from) the United States Postal Service.

Back in the 70's, a much younger Joseph Walters filled his days by delivering mail. He rushed home from his route to craft wooden or tin hand painted birdhouses which he sold on weekends at art shows. Soon he moved to more detailed things. He began crafting small paper houses and buildings out of junk or trash cardboard.

DoLoBo describes, "These tiny houses would be ordered by the people who put on local train garden holiday displays. Word got around and soon he was creating these houses every night in order to fill orders for the holidays. He did everything from schools to churches. The windows would be made of plastic from old food packages and look just like glass. hese tiny sculptures would range in size from N to HO scale, and they were really something. Made mostly of cardboard or used food packages, things we would otherwise have thrown out back then. To see them turn into very detailed houses and churches was amazing." (It appears Old Man Walters was an Eco-Artist before the green movement was even recognized.)

The only evidence that survives at the Walters' residence of his previous artwork are nearly four decades of falling down birdhouses around the yard and one custom mailbox (keenly resembling a mail truck.) Although a reminder of more creative and happier days, they are filled with birds who appreciate of the rent free housing and far less critical of their condition.

The Old Man Walters of today normally stays to himself in a bedroom, watching television and being well cared for. He has the support and love of his family. Sometimes though, he doesn't know who they are, or what day it is. DoLoBo reports, "You just have to take things day by day. It's trying at times when you are dealing with this sort of thing, but we all do our best to make him comfortable."

One day Old Man Walters requested art supplies and the family was puzzled. Years had passed without any mention of the art. More requests came with every medicine call, or meal delivery. DoLoBo was soon bringing everything from paper, scissors, paints, and glue to him. Next call was for cookie boxes, cereal boxes, paper,or other soon-to-be-trash cellophane items. Old Man Walters was working like mad, and had converted his bed into a full fledged art studio. "I didn't know what to think. It was really a shock to the whole family.see this thing materialze," Dolobo explained.

Several weeks of hard working, piece by piece, then behold the Cardboard Church!

An astonishing two foot long and nearly as tall painted and hand assembled House of Worship made from recycled cardboard and trash paper. Every angle shows incredible detail, with front and back entrances. Old Man Walters carefully cut, glued, taped and painted every piece together. Although much larger (nearly a foot wide) than his tiny houses of earlier years, it appears his actual technique of making such sculptures was never lost. In his mind, a memory embedded in him, somewhere in his brain cells, forever. Never forgotten, just misplaced.

DoLoBo says, "I'm just so glad he's being creative. The actual making of the art seems to calm him and make him happy. I've read studies where they say that art heals and is alternative therapy in some patients. I never could believe it but it's true in this case. It's almost like he remembers a church he made forty years ago, so he's making one larger than life now as if to say, 'I'm healing, I'm living.' I really believe that art is keeping him alive and giving him a reason to look forward to each new day. Art has somehow found and reactivated the parts of his mind that remember decades ago, when in all actuality he can't remember what he had for dinner last week. I don't know if this is a miracle but I look at this church and I think that is proof positive. I'm not a doctor. I just know that art is making him act like Dad again. This is a healing therapy. I had to share this in hopes others can learn and benefit from this. "

As an artist myself I can't think of a better way to pass the day. They say the mind works in mysterious ways. I look upon the cardboard church and wonder aloud, to Old Man Walters, is this a memory from yesteryear, or some vision of tomorrow?

END NOTE:

DoLoBo reports that Old Man Walters is still creating and sending him on supply runs. He has made several houses to date, but the family favorite remains the Cardboard Church.

SerendipiT

Shop Name: SerendipiT

Owner: Elizabeth

Location: Baltimore, MD

Etsy Shop Link: http://www.serendipit.etsy.com/

Elizabeth's shop is full of fun and practical accessories that she makes out of other reclaimed materials. She is a treehugging creator of things, and is doing a great job recycling and upcycling used garments, or discarded items into affordable fashions that will enhance your life.

In her shop you will find cool bags and purses made from reclaimed clothing, or an adorable t-shirt wrap skirt. I am in love with her awesome handmade bows, (see below) which is case in point that you never know what will pop up here!

Elizabeth invites you to reduce your carbon footprint, do something good for the Earth and your wallet by purchasing something fun or funky from SerendipiT!

Check out Elizabeth's Blog at DIY Life HERE.

Visit her Etsy shop HERE.

Retro Chalet Studio

Name: Ira Mency (nom de' plume of Cindy Fahnestock-Schafer)

Shop: Retro Chalet Studio

Location: Baltimore, MD and Danforth, ME

Shop Link: http://www.retrochaletstudio.etsy.com/

Retro Chalet Studio houses upcycled art, jewelry, and home decor made primarily with recycled, discarded, broken, trashed, or unwanted goods. Upcycled or repurpose vintage goodsalso play a role in these whimsical creations. Retro Chalet Studio is loaded with one of a kind handmade poker chip pendants, fun assemblage sculptures , home decor, and mixed media collage designs. Ira Mency is a published author and freelance journalist who primarily focuses on greener living, and of course runs this blog. Her sister shop, RetroChalet offers vintage and supplies on Etsy.

PROUD TEAM LEADER OF

Check out Retro Chalet Studio shop here.

For vintage and supplies visit the sister shop Retro Chalet HERE.

For more on Ira Mency, visit the official website or official blog page.

Retro Chalet

Name: Ira Mency (Cindy Fahnestock-Schafer)

Location: Baltimore, Maryland / Danforth, Maine

SHOP LINK: http://www.retrochalet.etsy.com/

Ira gets to travel extensively in the summer which leads her to thrift stores, trash piles, and estate sales all over the nation. This dumpster divin' diva is not scared to get dirty . The Retro Chalet shop is full of vintage housewares, supplies, ephemera, and leftover destash from her sister shop on Etsy, which is her art shop. There's lots of funky stuff you just don't see very often including vintage melmac, wacky and tacky collectibles, and things that she has found along her travels. When not traveling, she's writing about going green, including being Team Leader of the Etsy Recycler's team and busy managing this blog!

PROUD TEAM LEADER OF

Visit her Etsy vintage shop here .

Visit her Art Shop HERE.

More about Ira Mency at her personal website or official blog page.

ChersPassion : Revisited

Shop Name: ChersPassion

Location: Baltimore, MD

Owner: Cherri Miele

Etsy Shop Link: http://www.cherspassion.etsy.com/

Cherri's shop is filled with a wide variety of artwork, that is fully functional and home and garden decor that is great for decoration . The best part, is she implements recycled, and discarded goods in her work to bring you these one of a kind creations.

Wearable Art & Accessories

These wearable art rings, are my favorite and made out of upcycled bottle caps:

A real steal at their average price of $5, this Rose one HERE.

A lot of work went into this cigar box etched butterfly purse, on sale for $85 it is functional and well made.

When asked about her art, she explains, "Unlike something machine made, I believe art has it's own personality. It tells it's own story, and as it changes hands, the pages of it's story are further written."

Cherri pours her heart and soul into each piece, and is often inspired by nature. She says, "In my work you will find original concepts incorporated in something similar you may have seen before, but you'll notice the difference right away."

My favorite creations she makes are those out of natural wood found from a local beach.  These driftwood pieces are turned into keychains, garden art, and home decor.

$25 for this upcycled driftwood sign is a real steal, I love the way the gems catch the sun!  

Cherri is not limited to one medium, so be sure to check out her shop for great items, and wonderful gift ideas!  She has been known to upcycle everything from soda pop bottles (for spinners) to tin cans (for cat purses!)

Repurrrposed PURSE built custom order, check 'em out HERE.

Check out her store HERE. 
Read her blog http://cherspassion.blogspot.com/
Fan her on Facebook here!