Legislative
Calendar

Friday, January 28
9:00 AM – Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee Hearing (Building, Fire and Related Codes-2010 Edition).
*Reconvened from January 18, 2011
Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall

Monday, January 31
5:00 PM – City Council Meeting
Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall

Wednesday, February 2
10:30 AM – Executive Appointments Committee Hearing (Robert Anderson-Member, Anti-Animal Abuse Commission; Aileen Gabbey-Member, Anti-Animal Abuse Commission; Zoe Michal-Member, Anti-Animal Abuse Commission; Jennifer Brause-Member, Anti-Animal Abuse Commission).
2:00 PM – Land Use and Transportation Committee Hearing (Planned Unit Development-Amendment 1: Greenmount West, Arts and Entertainment District).
5:00 PM – Education Committee Hearing (In Support of Proposed State Legislation: Higher Education, Tuition Charges, Maryland High School Students).
*BROADCAST LIVE ON TV25
All hearings in Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall

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Delivering a Clear Message to Annapolis

Dear Baltimoreans,

I’ve traveled to Annapolis three times this month to sit with state legislators and discuss our priorities for the coming year. I took this important opportunity to speak with leaders from both sides of the aisle about what the Maryland General Assembly can do to strengthen Baltimore’s communities.

The statehouse in Annapolis, where Council President Young met with lawmakers several times in January to discuss the 2011 legislative session.

On each visit, I have focused on an agenda that will align the state’s goals with the best interests with our great city.

One of the primary issues on this agenda is the need to impose tougher penalties for illegal gun possession. I recently introduced a resolution that would join Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s ongoing call for members of the state legislature to increase the penalties for individuals arrested with illegal firearms.

Overall, gun crime in Baltimore City – which includes homicides, shootings, armed robberies, and carjackings – is down compared to years past, but more can be done to make the city a safer place.  I don’t want another parent to have to suffer because their child was gunned down in the streets of this city.

As the state considers its own fiscal situation, municipalities throughout the state are facing staggering budget shortfalls. In Baltimore City we’re facing an $80 million deficit that will require local and Maryland leaders to work together in order to retain services, honor committments and improve neighborhoods.

Facing possible cuts to much-needed capital projects, we are working to ensure that our city schools continue to improve. On December 6, 2010, Councilman Jim Kraft and I introduced a charter amendment that would create a non-lapsing account to help pay for new school construction; renovate existing city school buildings and athletic facilities; expand recreational activities; and modernize education-related equipment and curricula.

This type of forward-thinking can help overcome some of the difficult budget challenges we will face this year. I will continue working, not only in Baltimore, but with state leaders in Annapolis to ensure that our city continues to move forward.

I encourage you to contact your state representatives with your concerns and ideas for new legislation. Click here to find your representatives.

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

Tax Preperation Season Quickly Approaching

With April right around the corner, it's a great time to start preparing to file your taxes. There are events beginning over the next few weeks around Baltimore that provide helpful tax services.

Eligible Baltimore taxpayers don’t have to pay expensive tax or “rapid refund” fees – they can get their taxes electronically filed for FREE at the Baltimore CASH Campaign’s free tax prep sites.   The majority of taxpayers utilizing the “rapid refund” services are eligible to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), if they file properly. Much of the EITC refund is eaten up by fees paid to the for-profit “rapid refund” tax services rather than going into the pockets of low-income Marylanders because the services charge interest up to 600% and fees up to $500 out of a $1,700 refund. 

Below are a few of the free tax preparation events coming up in Baltimore.

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. Sponsored by the Baltimore CASH Campaign and the United Way of Central Maryland.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 410-234-8008 or visit bmorefreetaxes.org.

Disability Income Tax Day
Saturday, February 12 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Various Locations
If you have a disability and make less than $49,000 a year, you may be eligible to participate. Get your income taxes completed for free and learn about disability services, asset planning, and other government-funded assistance programs.
For more information or to register, call the Division of Rehabilitation Services at 410-333-6119. If you need special language access for persons with limited English proficiency or special accommodations, call 410-396-1161 by Monday, January 31.

Information provided by the Baltimore CASH Campaign.

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.

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.

Beth El's Green Expo
Sunday, January 30 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Beth El Congregation, 8101 Park Heights Avenue
Beth El Congregation, a member of the Baltimore Jewish Environmental Network, is hosting a “Live Green, Shop Green, Learn Green” event, including information, education and retail opportunities, interactive activities for children, green vendors, gardening, cleaning, energy consumption, home improvement projects, jewelry, clothing, accessories presentations and demonstrations.
For more information, call 410-484-0411, email debbie@bethelbalto.com, or visit bethelbalto.com.

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.

The Chocolate Affair
Thursday, February 3 from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
M&T Bank Stadium, 1101 Russell Street
Come celebrate "the sweetest night in town" at the 20th Chocolate Affair, to benefit Health Care for the Homeless. Join honorary chairs, Chet Burrell, President & CEO of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Elizabeth Burrell, and Charles "Choo" Smith, former Harlem Globetrotter as you sample sweet and savory treats from over 50 of Baltimore's best restaurants, caterers, and chocolatiers. Enjoy auctions, dancing, live music, spa treatments, and more. Tickets are $85 in advance, $95 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit chocolateaffair.org.

State of the Harbor Conference
Saturday, February 5 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Legg Mason Building, 100 International Drive 4th Floor
Join the Waterfront Partnership as they present the very first State of the Harbor conference looking at the current state of Baltimore Harbor, what it will take to make it fishable and swimmable, and how we can get there. 
For more information, email laurie@waterfrontpartnership.org.

So You Think You Can Charleston?
Monday, February 7 at 10:30 AM
Enoch Pratt Free Library Central Branch, 400 Cathedral Street
Children ages 6-12 can learn about the Harlem Renaissance, one of the most exciting periods in American music, literature, art, and dance. Afterward, they will participate in a jazz era dance contest.
For more information or to register groups of 5 or more, call 410-396-5402.

Babe's Birthday Bash
Friday, February 11 from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Babe Ruth Museum, 216 Emory Street
Join a lineup of local sports stars from Baltimore's Blast, Bullets, Colts, Orioles, Ravens, Maryland's Terps and Olympic champions to celebrate the 116th birthday of sport's greatest star, Babe Ruth! TIckets are $45 for museum members, $55 for non-members or $60 at the door. Enjoy food and beverages a silent auction and door prizes.
For more information or to purchase tickets, call 410-727-1539 x3033 or visit baberuthmuseum.com.

Macy's Go Red for Women Health Fair & Fashion Show
Saturday, February 12 from 10:00 AM to 2:30 PM
Macy's, Towson Town Center, 825 Dulaney Road
The American Heart Association's Go Red for Women (GRFW) campaign celebrates the energy, passion and power of women to band together and wipe out the #1 killer of women, heart disease. Tell your story and you could be Maryland's next GRFW spokesperson.  Also, learn about heart disease and stroke prevention, Life's Simple 7, health screenings, nutrition counseling and visit the kids "Art for the Heart" craft station. Hear from women who have made lifestyle changes, meet fitness guru Charles Harris and enjoy a spectacular Macy's fashion show featuring top designers worn by participants of all ages, celebrities and KIS models.
For more information, call 410-637-4569 or visit goredforwomen.org.

Baltimore City CERT Training
Saturday and Sunday February 12 and 13 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Baltimore City Fire Academy, 6720 Pulaski Highway
In 95 percent of emergencies, bystanders or victims themselves are the first to provide emergency assistance or rescue. The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program trains citizens to prepare for and respond to emergencies in their communities. This quarterly training will give you the tools you need to understand hazards that can affect your community, perform first aid techniques, make an emergency plan for your family or business, and more.
For more information or to reserve a spot by February 4, email cert@baltimorecity.gov.

Red Dress Sunday
Sunday, February 13
Places of worship across the city
Wear your best in red to raise awareness about heart disease. Heart disease is the No.1 killer of African-American women.  Ladies, join your sisters across Maryland and learn more about your risk factors for heart disease at this FREE event. Red Dress Sunday is an innovative faith-based health education and outreach program designed to raise awareness of the devastating effects of heart disease. This event easily reaches over 100,000 people every year in an effort to try and stop heart disease among African American Women and to help them live longer, healthier lives.
For more information, call 410-368-2773.

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.

Fest-Of-All Gala and Fashion Show
Saturday, February 26 from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Highway
Fest-of-All is a celebration of everything Federal Hill. It features fine food & drink (open bar) from great restaurants and taverns and the newest spring fashions from award-winning boutiques. Music and dancing follow the fashion show, and a silent auction offering bargains galore rounds out the evening. Proceeds go to the national award-winning nonprofit Federal Hill Main Street program for its community revitalization efforts, driven by volunteers. A portion of this year’s proceeds will be set aside for a new small business revolving microloan fund that Federal Hill Main Street is establishing to assist local businesses in gaining access to capital. Tickets are $60 in advance, $75 at the door, and include all the fine food and drink from Federal Hill establishments.
For more information, call 410-727-4500, email janeseebold@historicfederalhill.org or visit historicfederalhill.org.

Baltimore City Truck Study Public Meetings
Tuesday, February 15 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Enoch Pratt Free Library Orleans Street Branch, 1303 Orleans Street
Wednesday, February 15 from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Barclay Elementary Middle School Auditorium, 2900 Barclay Street
Tuesday, February 22 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Enoch Pratt Free Library Cherry Hill Branch, 606 Cherry Hill Road
Thursday, February 24 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
AFYA Center, Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Building, 4151 Park Heights Avenue
The Baltimore City Department of Transportation has conducted a study intended to better manage truck traffic throughout Baltimore City. Four public meetings have been scheduled to present the citywide plan in its entirety. Previous meetings during 2010 focused on each geographical area of the city. The February 2011 meetings will outline proposed truck movements from one end of the city to the other. The same presentation will be given during each meeting.

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.

Maryland Science Center Scholarships
Applications accepted through March 2
The Maryland Science Center awards the Dr. H. Bentley Glass Scholarship to two Baltimore City high public school students who will enter either a community or 4-year college in the fall.  Each scholarship provides $1500 to help defray the considerable costs of post-secondary education.  To be eligible for consideration, students must meet the following criteria: Attend a Baltimore City public high school; have a cumulative average of 80 or above; demonstrate financial hardship; and intend to pursue the study of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. Late or incomplete applications will NOT be accepted. Full details and the application can be found at http://www.marylandsciencecenter.org/programs/GlassScholar/Main.html.