Neighborhood Notes: February 2026

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Music on the Square Concert Series
The Music on the Square Concert features Across The Harbor on Saturday, February 7 with two shows, 4 and 8 pm. This musical confluence melds Baltimore’s singer-songwriters with instrumentalists rooted in Bluegrass, Irish, and Old-Time traditions. Hear the songs of The Honey Dewdrops & Caleb Stine, each with a unique twist. The list of traditionally rooted instrumentalists is astonishing: Sam Guthridge, every member of Charm City Junction (Alex Lacquement, Patrick McAvinue, Brad Kolodner, & Sean McComiskey) Meghan Mette, Laura Byrne, Donna Long, and EJ Shaull-Thompson. There will be a special performance by Katherine Fahey, Dan Van Allen & Georgia Beatty. Collaborating for Across The Harbor is the artists’ gratitude for the Baltimore music community, personified. For more information and tickets, click here. The concert series is held at Church on the Square located at 1025 S. Potomac Street, Baltimore, MD 21224.

Canton Library - The Sage of Baltimore: H.L. Mencken - Saturday, February 21, 2026 2:00pm
Henry Mencken: a journalist, author, arbiter of the American language, opinion maker, ultimately a literary giant, and always, native Baltimorean. His Scopes trial reporting skewered the sacred cows of the time; his literate magazine work with the Smart Set and American Mercury raised the level of public discourse. Here, we look at the high points of his life, his personal elitism -  a blind spot where empathy should have been, and views that bordered on racial bias. His guiding stars were always less government and more personal liberty, but his negative views of Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal made him out of step with the times. Henry Mencken was in many ways controversial, yet he was a powerful influencer on American literature.  

The presenter is Jack Burkert. He is the former head educator of The Baltimore Museum of Industry.  A lifelong educator and resident of Baltimore, Jack published his first book in 2024: "Twentieth Century Baltimore:  A Native Son's Casual History of the City on the Patapsco."

This program is presented by the Friends of the Canton Library, and will take place across the street from the Canton Branch at the Dnipro Ukrainian Club, 3101 O'Donnell St, Baltimore, MD 21224.  DETAILS

Canton Anti-Racism Alliance
The Canton Anti-Racism Alliance is working hard to foster a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming community. Here’s an update on their recent goals and accomplishments.

2025 Accomplishments

  • The Canton Anti-Racism Alliance gathered like-minded community volunteers dedicated to affecting long-term, impactful changes to foster a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming community

  • CCA Board Member John Ford led a project to add an historic marker memorializing individuals enslaved on the Canton Plantation

  • Hosted a Juneteenth Celebration featuring the dedication of a new historic marker memorializing 48 individuals enslaved on the Canton Plantation in 1805.

  • Continued reviewing the process of how to rename O’Donnell Square Park, removing the name of an enslaver

2026 Goals

  • Host bi-monthly meetings to brainstorm ideas and share progress reports

  • Facilitate more “Conversations With” local authors to provide expert-led educational virtual forums

  • Spotlight legislation and policies that support anti-racism, equity, and equality

  • Frame the proposed process for renaming O’Donnell Square Park and make it accessible to Canton residents

  • Continue outreach to engage new members and the community

  • Host 3rd Annual Freedom Walk or other Juneteenth-related event

  • Update the CCA website to include a dedicated page for Alliance information

The Alliance encourages neighbors to join current and future efforts to combat racism and promote inclusivity in our community. The group hosts a bi-monthly virtual meeting, and all are welcome to attend. To learn more, email President@CantonCommunity.org.

Bmore Social Issues Book Club
If you are interested in learning about a wide range of social issues affecting life in Baltimore and beyond, join the Bmore Social Issue Book Club! The club meets on Mondays at 7 pm at Mahaffey’s. To get in touch, email their listserv, bmore-social-issues-book-club@googlegroups.com.

Simply Marie’s Celebrates 15 Years
If you’re new to Canton and haven’t eaten at Simply Marie’s yet, you don’t know what you’re missing! Simply Marie’s, owned by the mother/son duo Marie and Robert Branch, offers homemade breakfast featuring biscuits as big as your head, (okay we exaggerate a little), French Toast, Omelets, Chicken & Waffles, and more. Find them at 3023 Elliott Street. To check out the menu in advance visit them online or on Facebook. Enjoy your breakfast and congratulate Marie and Robert on celebrating 14 years in Canton!

Black-owned Restaurant List
One way to support our neighbors of color is to shop and dine at Black-owned businesses. Use this link https://bit.ly/2YnvhT7 for a map of Black-owned restaurants in Baltimore City, including Simply Marie’s, Knotty Pine, Off the Rox, Water for Chocolate, and Judy’s Island Grill, in or neighboring Canton.

Winter Snow Removal
Neighbors, please clear the sidewalks on your block when it snows and be mindful of helping your neighbors, especially seniors or the physically challenged. In case you didn’t know, residents (including renters) are responsible for removing snow from the sidewalk in front of their houses. Per City Code, snow removal is required within 3 hours after the end of a snow or ice event

OPEN / CLOSED
7th Street Burger is NOW OPEN at The Can Company! Stop by for smash-style cheeseburgers, Impossible burgers, and crispy fries. Open 11 AM–Midnight, 7 days a week at 2400 Boston Street, Baltimore, MD. DETAILS

CCA NEWS

2026 CCA Board Election Notice
The CCA will hold its annual Board Elections on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, during the CCA Public Meeting which begins at 6:30 p.m. Board terms are for 2 years, and members attend monthly meetings on the first Wednesday of each month. All members are invited to join us and vote. Members will also receive a ballot via email approximately one hour before the meeting begins. The email ballot will remain open until noon the next day. For more info or questions, email info@cantoncommunity.org.  

CCA Public Meetings 2026
February 17, May 19, September 15, and November 17
Meetings are held at the United Evangelical Church at 3200 Dillon St. and live-streamed on the CCA Facebook page. 

CCA Free Community Dumpster Days 2026
The CCA hosts a Dumpster Day 4x a year. (Dates TBD) The dumpster will be located near 1011 S. Lakewood Ave, alongside Safeway just north of Boston Street from approximately 9:00 am until noon or until full. Plan to go early, as it usually fills fast.

CCA Committees / Volunteer Opportunities
The CCA has a variety of volunteer opportunities that enable neighbors to share their time and talent with the community. As we begin the new year, we’d love to see some fresh faces join our committees (Block Captains, Public Safety, Membership, Transportation, Economic Development, Education, Marketing, Membership, Social, Volunteer and more.) The CCA also oversees the Friends of Canton Dog Park & Friends O’Donnell Square, and partners with Canton Canopy, the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance, and the I Wonder Garden. (Details)

If you have skills in these areas—or just enthusiasm and a willingness to help—we’d love to have you on board! You don’t have to take on all tasks for any position. Any help is appreciated, and even a little of your time can make a big difference in our neighborhood. Interested? Email info@CantonCommunity.org to learn more or sign up! Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more vibrant Canton.

Become a CCA Member
Joining the CCA is a gateway to meeting neighbors and supporting local businesses in our community. Meet awesome people and learn about our neighborhood and how you can engage to not only have fun but help others, too. You’ll also receive a subscription to our monthly e-newsletter, Life in Canton, and some cool CCA merch. Individual memberships start at only $10/year; business memberships at $250. For details, visit https://www.cantoncommunity.org/join-us.

CCA Merchandise
Support the CCA and look sharp, too. Buy CCA merchandise including hats, long-sleeve lightweight hoodies, CCA foldable, reusable tote bags, and more available at Canton Ace Hardware at 1022 Binney St.

CCA Social Media - Follow Us!
For the latest information about our neighborhood and other helpful community/city news, please follow our CCA pages on social media. Instagram @CCA_Baltimore and Facebook.