Charm City's Most Talented

Dear Baltimoreans,

I want to congratulate 12-year-old Immanuel "Manny" Payne, Charm City's biggest talent, and the other six finalists who wowed the crowd at Baltimore City Community College on Thursday, July 14. The show was truly a testament to how wonderful our young people can be when given the opportunity to shine.

Manny did an outstanding drum solo that brought the entire crowd to its feet, and the five celebrity judges named him the winner. He won an artist development package that includes a professional photo shoot and a recorded demo CD, courtesy of Task Force Marketing. There will also be the opportunity to perform in a concert with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and a gift card from fashion retailer DTLR.

The other six finalists, Angelique Fuller, Taylor Owens, Terrell Talbert, Leah Reid and Ferlyn Virtudes, are all exceptional young artists.

Thank you to all the participants who showcased their talent throughout the competition and to all the parents, friends, and citizens who came out to support Baltimore's youth.

I look forward to next year's Charm City Talent competition being bigger and better!

Bernard C. “Jack” Young
President, Baltimore City Council

Stay Safe During the Hot Baltimore Summer

As the hot summer months bear down on Baltimore, it's important to know that outdoor fun has its risks. Parents and kids all over the city should be aware of the risks so they can make the best summer.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke can occur rapidly in enclosed vehicles. Never leave your child unattended in a car. Children’s bodies warm three to five times faster than an adult’s. Always check to make sure all children leave the vehicle when you reach your destination. Don’t overlook sleeping infants.  (TIP: Keep your child’s toy or diaper bag in the front passenger seat to help remind you the child is on board).

On a 93-degree day, the inside of a car can exceed 125° degrees Fahrenheit in as little as 20 minutes. The temperature inside of a car is hotter than outside temperatures, and can climb rapidly.

Heat stroke can occur in a matter of minutes for young children and infants.  Keep children sufficiently hydrated and cool during the day. Seniors are also more likely to suffer from heat exhaustion.

If you feel you are suffering from heat exhaustion, it is important to get out of the sun and into a cool place; loosen clothing; drink water/fluids (be sure to avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages); take a cool shower, bath or sponge bath; and rest.

Cracking the windows enough to let in air is not an effective way to avoid the heat risks involved with leaving a child alone in a car on a hot day.

 An open or screened window in homes can be a danger to children.  Falls from upper story windows related to the heat have been responsible for fatal child injuries in our state.  (TIP: Keeping furniture away from windows, opening windows from the top down if possible, and installing child-safety window guards all help to prevent injury).

Information from the Council For Children and Families.

Council President Welcomes Healthy Options

Kicking off Kaiser Permanente's weekly summer farmers' market, Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young was adamant about his support for healthy eating options for all Baltimoreans.

Council President Young is greeted by Celeste James at the Kaiser Permanente Friday Fresh Farmers' Market on Friday, July 8.

"Eating right is a huge part of living a healthy lifestyle," Council President Young said. "Having more farmers’ markets in Baltimore is key to our city’s health and future. Too many residents in Baltimore lack access to healthy food options. But providing access to fresh produce is the healthiest way to fight this issue."

The Friday Fresh Farmers’ Market, which is held in Hopkins Plaza between W. Baltimore and Lombard Streets, also supports local farmers and the local economy, which the Council President said is essential as Baltimore continues to recover from the Great Recession.

The market will also help fight obesity in Baltimore. Council President Young has made efforts to fight against childhood obesity in Baltimore with his P.L.A.Y. campaign (Productive Lives, Active Youth). This effort began last year with several events designed to keep kids active and off the streets.

"I know how important it is to keep our city healthy," Council President Young said.

The Fresh Friday Farmers' Market is open from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. every Friday through September. Enjoy fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, breads, crêpes, and more. Every three weeks starting Friday, July 29, come for BMI, blood pressure and lung capacity screenings. Massages will also be available free of charge.

Here is a snapshot of the many meetings, events, discussions and visits Council President Young engages in on a daily basis as he works to strengthen Baltimore's communities.

Council President Young walks in a candlelight vigil on Thursday, July 7 for Chong Wan Yim, the South Korean immigrant who was murdered in Northeast Baltimore.	Council President Young and Councilwomen Sharon Green Middleton and Mary Pat Clarke meet the new major of the Baltimore Police Department's Northern District, Sabrina Tap-Harper on Sunday, July 10.
Council President Young breaks ground on the new Rita R. Church Pavilion and Rec Center in Clifton Park on Wednesday, July 13 with Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Councilmen Carl Stokes and Robert Curran, Department of Recreation and Parks Director Greg Bayer, and excited young Baltimoreans.

Resources for Doing Business with Baltimore City

Click HERE for a list of helpful contacts and information that will help companies and individuals do business with the city. City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young has a fond appreciation for the importance of small businesses, how they fuel our economy and how they facilitate jobs and a better quality of life for our residents.

Towing Town Hall
Thursday, July 21 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
War Memorial Building, 1010 N. Gay Street
Come meet Baltimore City Department of Transportation officials and DOT consultant RK&K as they discuss their efforts to research current towing operations and potential improvements to the towing process. Issues to be addressed include customer service provided at the tow yards; prices and costs of service for tows, vehicle storage and processing, licensing of medallion towers; and general efficiency and equity of efforts to obtain and return vehicles to owners. This Town Hall provides all attendees with the opportunity to express their concerns about towing operations and suggest issues for the City should address. Attendees should feel welcome to bring suggestions and concerns in writing to leave with Department officials, and/or prepare statements to deliver orally in person.  Public parking is available for a fee at the Baltimore City parking garage located at 501 East Lexington Street. This event is free and open to the public.
For more information, call 410-396-6854 or email Barbara.Zek tick@baltimorecity.gov.

Firehouse Expo
Thursday, July 21 to Saturday, July 23 at 3:00 PM
Local 734 Union Hall, 1202 Ridgely Street
Come enjoy a relaxed setting at the Historic Firefighters Union Hall to have a drink, bite to eat and share stories with FF’s from Baltimore and across the country. Come to the Union Hall for beer, soda and mixed drinks. On Friday, July 22, enjoy an Orioles tailgate party and stay to watch the Orioles game at 7 p.m.
For more information, call 443-564-8385 or visit Baltimorefirefighters.net.

Druid Hill Farmers Market
Every Wednesday, June 1 through September 28 from 3:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Druid Hill Park near the Howard P. Rawlings Conservatory and Botanical Garden
For more information, call 410-396-7012 or visit www.druidhillpark.org.

Rec & Parks Outdoor Summer Concert Season
All summer long
Concerts will be held throughout the season. Jazz Wednesday evenings at Druid Hill Park from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. run on the first Wednesday of every month from June 1 to Sept. 7. First Thursdays at Mount Vernon Park from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. run on the first Thursday of every month from May 5 to Oct. 6.
For more information and the complete schedule, call 410-396-7459 or visit baltimorecity.gov.

Thursdays at the Lewis
Thursdays from June to August from 5:00 PM to 8 PM
Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt Street
Do you wish that you could tour the museum after work? Every Thursday this summer, the museum offers extended hours from 5 p.m. 8 p.m. for a reduced admission price of $5. On the Third Thursday of every month, visitors can enjoy live music and free appetizers.
For more information, visit www.africanamericanculture.org.

JustAdvice Legal Services
Thursday, July 21 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Center for Urban Families, 2201 N. Monroe Street
For more information, call 410-929-4809 or email justadvice@law.umaryland.edu.

Second Sundays in the Park
Second Sunday of each month from May to November from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, 1920 Eagle Drive
Come spend an enjoyable afternoon in the park with activities for many interests and ages, including miniature steam train rides, guided tours of the historic orianda house, a labyrinth, hikes and live music.

Studio Artist Biennial
Saturday, June 25 through Saturday, August 20
School 33 Art Center, 1427 Light Street
Experience an exhibition highlighting the original works of current School 33 Art Center studio artists. An opening reception will be held Saturday, June 25 from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The gallery is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from noon to 6:00 p.m.
For more information, visit www.school33.org.

Youth Bmore Summer Block Parties 2011
July 21 (Perkins Public Housing), July 29 (C.C. Jackson), August 5 (Central Rosemont Recreation Center), August 11 (Gilmore Public Housing Complex), August 18 (Westport Public Housing Complex) and August 25 (Patapsco Recreation Center ) from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Come enjoy performances by Smash, Jessica Greene, Caddy Da Don, Lano Shire, Bossman, Baltimore Ray and more! Get there early for 92Q free giveaways and prizes.

Base Camp Discovery
Every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, June 22 through August 31 from 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Druid Hill Park
Participate with your family this summer in a “Walk on the Wild Side.” Join a Zoo educator for a fun and informative walk through a featured area of the Zoo, exploring a new topic or zone each week. Limit of 20 people. Please gather at Base Camp Discovery by 10:15 a.m. First come, first served! Free with regular Zoo admission. Ages (recommended): 5 and up
For information about this and other zoo events, visit www.marylandzoo.org.

Baltimore Data Day
Friday, July 22 from 8:30 AM 3:30 PM
University of Baltimore Thumel Business Center, 11 W. Mt. Royal Avenue
Participate in a one-day conference designed to bring community organizers, nonprofit agencies, researchers, and government entities together to expand their abilities to use technology and data. The conference is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
For more information or to register, call 410-837-6651 or visit bniajfi.org/baltimore_data_day.

Grace Beauty Speed Organization Track Clinic
Saturday, July 23 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM (Registration begins at 9:00 AM)
Mervo High School Art Modell Field, 3500 Hillen Road
This one-day track clinic will cover key running mechanics, breathing techniques, strength building , resistance training, and more! Register at www.active.com.
For more information, visit www.gracebeautyspeed.org or email deborah@gracebeautyspeed.org

Pavement to Prairie Party
Monday, July 25 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Academy for College and Career Exploration, 1300 W. 36th Street
Ever wonder what’s possible with 300+ volunteers, a few Bobcats, and a bunch of shovels and pick axes? Let’s find out! Our goal is to remove 3/4 of an acre of unused parking lot at a local Baltimore City school and transform the area into a vibrant, engaging outdoor classroom and community green space. Not that jazzed about breaking a good sweat while breaking rocks? We’ll also be adorning the school with a beautiful mural (minimal experience needed, think painting by numbers). Just knowing you’re joining in a monumental greening event that will help restore our streams and beautify our neighborhoods might well be motivation enough for you. But just in case a little added incentive is needed, the bands and crews for the 2011 Vans Warped Tour (200 of them!) will be joining the effort. So come on out and bust up some rock with the rock stars! In addition, the ten volunteers (ages 21 and under) who work the most hours with us from now through July 25th will each receive two free tickets to the Vans Warped Tour on July 26th.
For more information, visit bluewaterbaltimore.org.or email volunteer@bluewaterbaltimore.org.

Women's Business Forum
Monday, July 25 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Convention Center Outdoor Terrace, 1 W. Pratt Street, Level 300
Network with business women from around the City of Baltimore and representatives from various city agencies. The event is free, but registration is required.
For more information or to RSVP by July 22, call 410-296-3818.

CollegeBound Scholars' Luncheon
Thursday, July 28 at 11:30 AM
Hilton Baltimore Convention Center Hotel, 401 W. Pratt Street
CollegeBound Foundation works with city students to help them achieve a post-secondary education. Tickets for the foundation's annual scholars luncheon are $50 and sponsorship opportunities are available.
For more information, visit www.collegeboundfoundation.org and click "What's New."

Safari Express
Saturday, August 6 and Sunday, August 7, all day
Baltimore Visitor Center, 401 Light Street
The destination is FUN when you ride the Safari Express to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, a free shuttle service to and from downtown. Passengers will be picked up outside the Baltimore Visitor Center at the Inner Harbor starting at 9:30 am. Guests on the Safari Express will ride for free and be dropped off directly in front of the Maryland Zoo's main gate. Return shuttles run until 4:30 p.m.
For more information, call 410-396-7102.

International Festival
Saturday, August 6 and Sunday August 7 from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Poly/Western High School near Falls Road and West Coldspring Lane
Come enjoy this celebration of Baltimore's cultural diversity with music, dancing and a variety of free ethnic foods. Vendor space is available. Also, come see the 7th annual Baltimore International Festival Mayor's Cup Soccer Tournament!
For more information, call 410-396-3141 or email alvin.gillard@baltimorecity.gov.

Baltimore's Green Treasures
Saturday, July 30 and Sunday, July 31 from 10:00 Am to 4:00 PM
Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory, Druid Hill Park
View photography by Baltimore native Jerome Golder while enjoying the beauty of the Conservatory. Born in Baltimore in 1933, Golder's life-long love has been the flora, fauna, and waterways of Baltimore City. His photographs capture the life and beauty of our green spaces.
For more information, call 410-396-0008.

Dundalk Antique Appraisal Day
Saturday, August 27 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
6509 Colgate Avenue
Whether you have a pieced quilt that belonged to your great grandmother, an old wooden trunk in the basement, a treasured dinner service, an old toy you played with as a child, or a rocking chair that belonged to your great aunt, come to the Dundalk Antiques Appraisal Day and discover the value of your family heirlooms. Doors open to the public at 10 a.m. on August 27. The charge is $20 for your first item, $10 for the second and the third item is free. The item limit is 3 per admission. Lunch, snacks, and beverages are available from “This Swine’s for You Catering” and the St. Helena Community Association, Inc.
For more information, email antiqueday@yahoo.com.

Summer 2011 Concerts in Riverside Park
Sunday, August 28 and Sunday, September 4 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Riverside Park
Come for great music and FREE admission to see Mambo Combo (Aug. 28) and Baltimore School of Rock Show Team (Sept. 4). Pack a picnic, a chair and a blanket and bring a few dollars for bake sale goodies and a raffle.

Office of the City Council President
100 N. Holliday St., Suite 400
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-396-4804 (p) 410-539-0647 (f)
CouncilPresident@baltimorecity.gov
Copyright (C) 2011. All rights reserved.
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