Edmondson Avenue

In the protracted debate over whether and how to build the transit project known as the Red Line, one compelling issue has been all but lost: the miserable status quo. For decades, the main transportation corridor through West Baltimore has been six-lane U.S. 40, known for much of its length as Edmondson Avenue. Each weekday morning, hordes of commuters from Catonsville, Ellicott City and other places to the west invade West Baltimore on their way downtown. Each weekday evening, they alternately race and crawl through the same neighborhoods, leaving nothing behind but their exhaust fumes.

After six years of planning and a recent round of public hearings, a clear consensus has emerged among civic and business leaders about what a long-debated east-west transit line through Baltimore would look like - if it is ever built in the face of determined community opposition. While a half-dozen alternatives for building the so-called Red Line remain on the table, most of them have been practically eliminated either as a result of excessive cost or lagging support. Supporters say the Red Line - which would serve some of the area's largest employers and intersect the north-south Central Light Rail Line - fills a glaring gap in Baltimore's transportation network.

They may have been lured to the community event in West Baltimore yesterday by the promise of free groceries, but the hundreds of people who turned out stayed hours for a message of hope. At the event, called A Better Life, the crush of people received bags filled with frozen meats, canned goods, bread and paper products - in all, about 80,000 pounds of food and other necessities delivered in two tractor-trailer loads to the Westside Skills Center on Edmondson Avenue. The $30,000 worth of groceries were purchased and distributed by members of Kingdom Life Church.

Police yesterday were investigating a shooting Wednesday night that injured three people - one fatally - outside a West Baltimore bar, a day after five suspected gang members were wounded in a shooting several blocks away. Sterling Clifford, a city police spokesman, said it was too early for detectives to know whether the two incidents near Edmondson Avenue and Poplar Grove Street are related. "The department has deep intelligence on gang activity in the city and criminal activity in that area," Clifford said.

On June 16, 2008, DAMONE C. GRAY. On Friday, friends may call VAUGHN C. GREENE FUNERAL SERVICES, 4101 Edmondson Avenue, from 4 to 8 P.M. On Saturday, Mr. Gray will lie in state at VAUGHN C. GREENE WILDWOOD CHAPEL, 4101 Edmondson Avenue, where the family will receive friends from 11:30 A.M. to 12 P.M., with services to follow. Inquiries to (410) 233-2400.

On April 22, 2008, JOHN T. SCOTT; beloved husband of Yvette Scott. On Sunday, friends may call VAUGHN C. GREENE FUNERAL SERVICES, 4101 Edmondson Avenue, from 2 to 8 P.M. On Monday, Mr. Scott will lie instate at Vaughn C. Greene Wildwood Chapel, 4101 Edmondson Avenue where the family will receive friends from 10:30 to 11 A.M. with services to follow. Inquiries to (410) 233-2400.

On April 8, 2008, BESSIE HOBSON. On Friday, friends may call at the VAUGHN C. GREENE FUNERAL SERVICES, 4101 Edmondson Avenue from 6-8 P.M. On Saturday, Mrs. Hobson will lie in state at Vaughn C. Greene Wildwood Chapel, 4101 Edmondson Avenue, Baltimore, MD, where the family will receive friends from 11-11:30 A.M with services to follow. Inquiries to (410) 233-2400.

On December 15, 2007, ROBERT FRANCIS beloved husband of Denise C. Francis. On Wednesday, friends may call VAUGHN C. GREENE FUNERAL SERVICES, 4101 Edmondson Avenue from 4-8 P.M. On Thursday, Mr. Francis will lie in state at St. Bernadines Roman Catholic Church, 3812 Edmondson Avenue, where the family will receive friends from 9:30-10 A.M., with services to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations are to be made payable to Mercy Medical Center-Outpatient Chemotherapy, c/o Development Office, 301 St. Paul Place, Baltimore, MD, 21202.

On November 17, 2007, JODI DIANE (nee Powell) OLEJAR; beloved wife of Robert Olejar; loving daughter of Donna Mae Zonno Powell and the late William Joseph Powell; devoted stepmother of Cindy, Bob and Tom and step grandmother to Katie; dear sister of Bill, Donna, Fran, Elaine, Toni, Tina and the late Peggy. Friends may call at the STERLING ASHTON SCHWAB WITZKE FUNERAL HOME OF CATONSVILLE, INC., 1630 Edmondson Avenue (one mile west of beltway exit 14) on Tuesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. where services will be held on Wednesday at 10 A.M. Interment in Michigan.

On July 5, 2007, JESSE FRANK SMITH beloved husband of Lillian Smith. On Monday, friends may call at the VAUGHN C. GREENE FUNERAL SERVICES, 4101 Edmondson Avenue from 4-8 P.M. On Tuesday, Mr. Smith will lie in state at Perkins Square Baptist Church, 2500 Edmondson Avenue, where the family will receive friends from 11-11:30 A.M., with services to follow. Inquiries to (410) 945-2700.