Legislative
Calendar

Thursday, January 20
10:00 AM – Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee Hearing (Sale of Property-1125 North Calvert Street).
10:30 AM – Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee Hearing (Franchise-Structural Projections over the Bed of Ashland Avenue).
4:00 AM – Education Committee Hearing (Informational Hearing-Laws and Policies Governing the Baltimore City Public Schools in Providing the Safe Transport of Special Needs Students by the School System and its Contractor Bus Companies and Recommendations for Additions to Existing Governance Requirements).
Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall

Monday, January 24
5:00 PM – City Council Meeting
Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall

Wednesday, January 26
5:00 PM – Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee Hearing (Informational Hearing-Trash in the Inner Harbor).
Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
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Everyday Heroes: A Fighting Chance

Dear Baltimoreans,

The disease that afflicted Chandra L. Jackson’s mother, father and maternal grandmother can be managed through a healthy diet and daily dose of exercise. And with the right combination of medical education and lifestyle adjustments, each of her family members should have lived close to normal lives.

Chandra Jackson, doctoral student at Johns Hopkins University, is trying to improve health literacy in the city.

But while Ms. Jackson’s parents were able to successfully control their Type II diabetes, her grandmother experienced a number of painful setbacks during her battle with the same disease. At the time, her parents lived in Atlanta while her grandmother lived in a rulral community in Southern Georgia.

Today, Ms. Jackson’s parents are healthy. Her grandmother, however, passed away in 20XX after a six-year battle with a disease that afflicts about 41 million people, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC).

Ms. Jackson, who is currently a doctoral student at Johns Hopkins University studying cardiovascular disease epidemiology, cites this experience as influencing her decision to pursue a career in medicine.

“The treatment my grandmother received in a rural setting was quite different than the treatment my mom received while living in the city,” Ms. Jackson said. “As a result, I saw very different outcomes and my mother did much better than my grandmother. At the end of the day, this experience shows that various social factors contribute to health disparities, and if you can influence those factors you can improve people’s health.”

Access to healthcare is important and should not be understated, but one of the most important factors that influence a person’s quality of life is health literacy, Ms. Jackson said. To underscore this point, she points to a 2008 focus group she worked on as a second-year medical student. Many of the adults from that focus group incorrectly believed that African Americans would inevitably develop diabetes and that obesity automatically followed diagnosis.

“The average person visits their doctor twice a year, which by itself is not going to make a substantial improvement in your overall health,” Ms. Jackson said. “What we need to focus on are our everyday activities: how we feed ourselves and our families and our activity levels. We have to get people to understand how to properly manage their health. Even if you have access to the best health care that money can buy that does not automatically equate to better health."

Ms. Jackson said she would like to remain in Baltimore after graduating from medical school and use her education to help improve health literacy among the city’s poorer residents.

“I would love to be able to translate my research into real world practice through policy change and increased health education,” Ms. Jackson said.  

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

Staying Safe and Prepared During Winter Weather

This week's snowfall and cold temperatures reminded all Baltimoreans how vital it is to take precautions during harsh conditions. Here are some tips to follow during the winter season, as well as a few important phone numbers:

• Stockpile winter supplies in case a winter storm or power outage prevents you from leaving your home. Supplies include flashlights and extra batteries, a battery-operated radio, emergency non-perishable foods, a non-electric can opener, bottled water, one week's supply of essential medicines, extra blankets and sleeping bags, a first aid kit and manual, a fire extinguisher, and emergency heating equipment.
• To keep your home's pipes from freezing, wrap pipes in insulation or layers of old newspapers; cover the newspapers with plastic to keep out moisture; let faucets drip a little to avoid freezing; and know how to shut off water valves.
• If your heat goes out during a winter storm, keep warm by closing off rooms you do not need; use only safe sources of alternative heat such as a fireplace, small well-vented wood or coal stove or portable space heaters; dress in layers of lightweight clothing and wear a hat; and eat well-balanced meals.
• If you lose electrical service during the winter, call your utility first to determine area repair schedules. Turn off or unplug lights and appliances to prevent a circuit overload when service is restored. Leave one light on to indicate power has been restored.
• If someone you know is elderly or dependent on life-sustaining or health-related equipment such as a ventilator, respirator or oxygen concentrator, you should make plans now to ensure their needs are met during severe winter weather and possible power outages.
• When winter storms strike, do not drive unless necessary. If you must travel, make sure your car is stocked with survival gear like blankets, a shovel, a flashlight and extra batteries, warm clothing, a set of tire chains, battery booster cables, quick energy foods and brightly-colored cloth to use as a distress flag. Keep your gas tank full to prevent gasoline from freezing. If you have a cell phone or two-way radio, keep the battery charged and keep it with you when traveling. Make sure someone knows your travel plans.
• Hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but it can occur even at cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat, or submersion in cold water. If you notice shivering, exhaustion, confusion, memory loss, slurred speech or drowsiness, take the person’s temperature. If it is below 95°, get medical attention immediately.
  

Snow updates: 410-396-SNOW (7669)
Emergencies: 911
City Services: 311
Medical Transportation: 410-396-7007
BGE: 877-778-2222
MTA: 410-539-5000
Poison Control: 800-222-1222
Shelter Line: 443-423-6000
Water Emergencies: 410-396-5352
Weather Forecast : 410-936-1212

Christmas Tree Pickup and Mulching
Monday through Saturday in January
Sisson Street Citizen Drop-Off Center, 2840 Sisson Street, and Reedbird Avenue Citizen Drop-off Center, 701 Reedbird Avenue
The Department of Public Works will provide tree mulching from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents may bring their own bags or containers if they wish to collect mulch for their own use. Community groups are also encouraged to bring bags or containers and collect free mulch for neighborhood gardens while supplies last. For residents who cannot bring their trees for mulching, the Bureau of Solid Waste will offer curbside tree collection through Friday, January 28, 2011. Residents should set out trees on their regularly scheduled trash collection day at the same location where their trash is collected. All tinsel and ornaments must be removed from trees before they are set out for curbside collection or mulching.
For more information, call 311.

Free Classes in Southeast Baltimore
January through March
Patterson Park Public Charter School, 27 North Lakewood Avenue
The Patterson Park Public Charter School and Baltimore City Community College are partnering to offer free pre-GED, Spanish and computer classes. Anyone 16 or older can take these classes on-site at the PPPCS.
For more information, call 410-558-1230 x374 or email LObara@pppcs.org.

Free Tax Preparation
Starting Saturday, January 15
Locations across Baltimore
Various organizations are providing free tax preparation services to single tax filers who made less than $25,000 in 2010 or families who made less than $49,000. Electronic filing will be provided, which will result in faster refunds. All appointments are free.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 410-234-8008 or visit bmorefreetaxes.org.

Community Lecture on Improving Local Schools
Wednesday, January 19 at 7:00 PM
Enoch Pratt Central Library, Wheeler Auditorium, 400 Cathedral Street
No other question is more important to city-loving parents than where to send their child to school. For years, the prevailing wisdom was that you had to leave the city to get a good education for your children. Jacqueline Edelberg and a group of like-minded moms in the East Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago refused to accept that wisdom. Instead, they worked in partnership with the principal of their local public school to create community partnerships, facility improvements, curriculum enhancements, and marketing activities that turned their neighborhood public school into an asset that anchored families in the community. Jacqueline will share her experiences in Chicago and reflections on the progress Baltimore is making to ensure that all children have a great school to walk to! Come for a lecture, discussion and book signing.

Baltimore Restaurant Week
Friday, January 21 to Sunday, January 30
Participating Restaurants
The most delicious week of the winter is back, as many of Baltimore's best restaurants offer special three-course menus for Restaurant Week. Get a taste of Baltimore with three course dinners for just 35.11 and lunches for just $20.11. Book your reservations online through OpenTable.com as restaurants are sure to fill up. Select Baltimore City garages are offering parking specials starting at $3. See a list of participating restaurants and menus at baltimorerestaurantweek.com.

Interact & Attract
Friday, January 21 from 8:30 AM to 10:00 AM
Visit Baltimore, 100 Light Street, 12th floor
Social media has transformed the way restaurants, bars, hotels, and attractions interact with and attract customers. The hospitality industry is booming with examples of social media marketing success, including Facebook pages, Tweetups, and FourSquare Specials. Join a panel of regional hospitality marketers as they give insights into what's worked and what hasn't. For more information, or to register, visit http://www.eventbrite.com/event/1145252481.

Criminal Record Expungement Workshop
Saturday, January 22 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Pennsylvania Avenue Branch Library, 1531 West North Avenue
Come learn about the expungement process and options for those with a criminal record. The workshop, facilitated by "Re-Entry Guy" Mark Matthews, is hosted by The Friends of the Pennsylvania Avenue Branch Library.
For more information, call 410-396-0399.

Introduction to the World of Fundraising
Monday, January 24 at 2:00 PM
Enoch Pratt Free Library Central Branch, 400 Cathedral Street
Interested in non-profit fundraising? Looking for funding for your organization? Learn the basics of the world of fundraising and find out about the free resources available at the Pratt Library.
For more information, call 410-396-5430.

Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake Open House
Tuesday, January 25 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
3741 Commerce Drive, Suite 309
Come tour Habitat's facility and workshop, learn about current and future worksites, talk with volunteers, homeowners and staff, and discover how can you help build homes and revitalize neighborhoods.
For more information, call 410-366-1250 x109 or email dcookson@habitatchesapeake.org.

Community Grants Deadline Approaching
Interested in applying for a Neighborhood Greening grant or a Partnerships for Parks grant to support your greening project this spring?  The Parks & People Foundation held grants training workshops in November instead of December, and we hope that you were able to attend!  The deadline for both grant programs is Friday, January 28, 2011.
If you are interested in applying, call 410-448-5663 x122, email organizers@parksandpeople.org or visit parksandpeople.org.

Maryland Zoo Volunteer Open House
Sunday, January 30 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Druid Hill Park
Get involved as a Zoo volunteer! Come learn about the essential role that volunteers play in conservation, education, and visitor support.
For more information, call 410-396-7102 or visit marylandzoo.org.

Community Concerts at Second Presents the Aspen String Trio
Sunday, January 30 at 3:30 PM
Second Presbyterian Church, 4200 St. Paul Street
Long-time members of the Aspen Music Festival artist-faculty, the Aspen String Trio will present a recital on behalf of Community Concerts at Second on Sunday. The Trio will present three of the five Beethoven string trios from their upcoming all-Beethoven commercial recording.
For more information, call 443-759-3309 or visit communityconcertsatsecond.org.

Free Homeownership Education Workshops
Sunday, January 30 at 3:30 PM
Second Presbyterian Church, 4200 St. Paul Street
Thinking about buying a home in Baltimore City? Already own a home and need tips on renovating or lowering your energy bill? Live Baltimore continues its series of FREE Education Workshops for anyone who wants to learn about Baltimore City homeownership. This February the topics include hidden buying and rehabbing a vacant property, lowering your monthly energy bill, finding money to help with your home purchase, hiring a renovation contractor, financing a home renovation, and more.
For more information or to register for a workshop, visit livebaltimore.com.

Visit Baltimore Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, February 3 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM
American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway
Visit Baltimore invites you to the 2011 Town Hall Meeting & Networking Event. Hear from special guest speakers Jeff Buchheit of Baltimore National Heritage Area and Jay Davidson of Baltimore Racing Development. Visit Baltimore leadership will also present an update on convention sales and services activities, marketing campaigns, and other organizational particulars.
For more information, visit http://baltimore.org/blog/?p=400.

Johns Hopkins Neighborhood Fund
Applications accepted through February 15 at 5:00 PM
The Johns Hopkins Neighborhood Fund was created in 2007 to support nonprofit organizations that serve the communities in close proximity to the institution’s campuses by addressing needs in the areas of: Community Revitalization; Education; Employment; Health; and Public Safety. To be eligible, grantees must deliver their services within designated geographic boundaries (within the Johns Hopkins Live Near Your Work program boundaries and/or a 3/4 mile radius of any Johns Hopkins campus that participates in the annual United Way of Central Maryland campaign), agree to use or return funds by the end of the calendar year in which they are awarded, hold a 501(c)(3) tax code designation or use a 501(c)(3) as a fiscal agent, be associated with Johns Hopkins through institutional involvement or an affiliation with faculty, staff, retirees or students, and comply with other disbursement and reporting requirements as noted in the grant application.
For more information, call 443-997-4765, email estrong@jhu.edu or visit jhu.edu/neighborhoodfund.

Open Society Institute-Baltimore Community Fellowships
Applications accepted through March 21 at 5:00 PM
The Baltimore Community Fellowships program seeks dynamic activists and social entrepreneurs interested in implementing projects that address problems in undeserved communities in Baltimore City. The fellowship spans a term of 18 months beginning Fall 2011. Applicants are strongly encouraged to attend information sessions on Wednesdays and Thursdays in February.
Fore more information, call 410-234-1091.