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🌳 Toxic Site → New Park Land, Paint the Falls & Dance Bollywood!

🌳 Toxic Site → New Park Land, Paint the Falls & Dance Bollywood!

Ana Lohrmann
February 24, 2025

Happy Monday, Neighbors!

After last week’s storm chaos, let’s recharge with Cascade Falls magic (paint-by-numbers kits), celebrate Simkins’ transformation into protected parkland, and groove with a Bollywood dance visionary. Plus: Mardi Gras, trivia, and more—scroll to fuel your week!

(P.S. Snag 1 of 10 art kits to keep this newsletter thriving!)

In this week’s issue:

Cascade Falls: Create Your Own Sanctuary
Catonsville Wasteland to Become Protected Park Land
Local Artist Spotlight: Indian Dance Studio Owner
Events Happening This Week

Let’s Get Into It!

Cascade Falls Paint-by-Numbers: Create Your Own Sanctuary

Our beloved Cascade Falls has been a staple in my life—I had a “trash-the-wedding-dress” photo shoot there. My dog almost fell of the top of the falls. I’ve received spiritual insights journaling by its waters. My daughter and I even had a surreal encounter with a woman dressed as a woodland fairy handling a snake there!

When metastatic cancer made it challenging to hike, I brought the falls to me—and painted them. And you can recreate it’s magic too!

What’s Included

Wood Framed Canvas: Pre-printed with outlines. Follow the numbers to paint your version.
Supplies: 24 acrylic paints, brushes, guide sheet. No experience needed.
Local delivery: Free hand-delivery for locals. (Inquire for out-of-town addresses)

This is a small experiment to help keep this free newsletter running. There are only 10 kits available (5 medium, 5 large). Consider supporting us and bring this personal masterpiece home today.

How to Order:

Choose Your Size:

Large: 20×16 inches - $65
Medium: 16 × 12 inches - $55

Or buy more than one for a 10% discount on your total purchase. Makes a meaningful gift or host a paint night!

Reply to this email with your preferred size and start painting today! First come, first served—we only have 10 kits.

Cascade Falls has taught me many things. Especially that beauty persists. Thank you for your support!

Want to advertise with us and reach our highly engaged community? Reply to this email for more information.

From Ruin to Renewal: Catonsville’s Simkins Site on the Brink of Becoming Protected Parkland

After decades of persistence, the Simkins Industries property in Catonsville—a long-abandoned industrial site—is finally set to become part of Patapsco Valley State Park. The nonprofit Friends of Patapsco Valley State Park secured $840,000 in state funding to acquire the 65-acre property, ending a 40-year battle to heal this damaged land.

Once a paper recycling plant, the site was infamous for polluting the Patapsco River with industrial waste in the 1980s. Legal battles and cleanup delays followed for years, including a major fire in 2003. Now, the land will be transferred to Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources for restoration, reconnecting fragmented sections of the park and creating new public green space.

“This is a win for everyone who loves the Patapsco Valley,” said Dave Ferraro, the nonprofit’s director. The project revives a community vision to transform industrial ruins into a thriving natural area, ensuring cleaner water, protected wildlife, and expanded trails for future generations.

_Source_{: The Joy of Ptap}

Local Artist Spotlight: Pavani Reddy’s Bend It Like Bollywood (BILB) Dance Co.

Pavani Reddy was studying engineering in India when a TV show changed her life: a dance instructor teaching Bollywood to Americans. “That’s what I want to do,” she told her mother—never imagining her wish would come true! Years later, her Maryland-based BILB Dance Co. has become a cultural cornerstone, blending her Indian roots with joyful creativity.

After moving to the U.S., Pavani started teaching Bollywood in her apartment, growing BILB into a studio offering Bollywood, Kathak, Bhangra, folk, and fusion classes for all ages.

“Dance isn’t just movement—it’s confidence, community, and healing,” she says. Her unique programs include, Sangeet, wedding choreography workshops, and more.

BILB’s welcoming ethos stems from Pavani’s own journey. “I want everyone to feel they belong,” she explains. The studio hosts free trial classes for adults and kids!

“Come as you are,” Pavani says. “Dance is for everyone.”

Join the BILB family: www.bilb.co.

Happening This Week

Featured Events

🎊 Ellicott City | OEC | Mardi Gras on Main (All Ages) | All Day | Info
Bring the whole 'krewe' and join us in celebrating the spirit of Mardi Gras! Games, Music, Discounts and More!

Check out all the great programing at your local library this week!
Baltimore County & Howard County

Additional Events

Monday - Feb 24

Sunday - Mar 2

Did we miss something? Want to see your event listed here next week? Reply to this email and share it with the readers of the Patapsco Valley View!

Did You Know? Simkin’s Dirty Past

Simkin's Mill in Catonsville has a rich history dating back to 1824. Originally a cotton mill for sail fabric, it later produced material for car tires and eventually became a paper recycling plant. The 106-acre property was once a self-contained community with worker housing, a store, and possibly a church and graveyard.

Unfortunately, the mill's legacy includes environmental concerns. For decades, it discharged pollutants into the Patapsco River, including mercury, lead, and other harmful chemicals. These contaminants affected the river's ecosystem and posed risks to human health.

The mill closed in 2003 following a major fire, ending its 180-year industrial history but leaving behind a complex environmental challenge for the community to address.

That’s it for this week’s view.

Until next time,

P.S. This newsletter is free, but the resources and time to produce it are not. Please consider supporting us.