Championship Finale to President's Cup Tournament

Dear Baltimoreans,

Gilman coaches and players celebrate on the field at Camden Yards after winning the inaugural President's Cup championship.

The inaugural President's Cup was an overwhelming success. The citywide baseball tournament wrapped up at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Sunday, May 1, 2011, with Gilman defeating Mount Saint Joseph 2-0 in the championship game. Both teams exemplified great sportsmanship and hard work.

The tournament began on April 9, 2011, with public and private school teams competing on some of the best baseball fields in Baltimore.  The eight schools that participated in the President’s Cup each had a chance to compete for the title of champion.

Council President Young congratulates Mount Saint Joseph players for their hard work in reaching the President's Cup championship game.

The fine young athletes from all eight high schools (Gilman, Mount Saint Joseph, Frederick Douglass, Mervo, Friends, Boys' Latin, Dunbar and St. Frances) learned a great deal through meeting former Baltimore Orioles' and Negro League greats, touring the Sports Legends Museum on April 2, and competing with other Baltimoreans from different backgrounds. This event served to strengthen our communities and provide positive and engaging activities for our youth.

I want to thank all the players, coaches, and partners who made the President's Cup such a success. I especially want to thank the Orioles organization for their patience and generosity. I hope to expand the tournament next year to include additional teams and possibly set up similar tournaments in other sports.

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

Charm City Talent Looking for Baltimore's Best

Can you rap, sing, or plan an instrument? Charm City Talent, a citywide talent competition for students ages 5 to 17 created by City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young and produced by the Citizens Planning and Housing Association (CPHA), is looking for you.

Charm City Talent will showcase Baltimore’s emerging singers, rappers and musicians in a competition modeled after the long-running talent contest American Idol. Contestants will be judged by a panel that will include local radio personalities and performing arts experts.

Beginning on May 9, 2011, seven city recreation centers will host Charm City Talent auditions. Students will compete as singers, rappers or musicians. A panel of talent experts will select one finalist from each site, and the seven finalists will compete for the Charm City Talent crown during the finale on July 14, 2011. The winner of the competition will receive an artist development package including a professional photo shoot and a recorded demo CD courtesy of Task Force Marketing, the opportunity to perform in a concert with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and a gift card courtesy of urban fashion retailer DTLR.

RECREATION CENTER AUDITION DATES
All auditions are from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

May 9, 2011 - Herring Run (5001 Sinclair Lane)  
        
May 11, 2011 - Fred B Leidig (301 South Beechfield Avenue)        
                            
May 12, 2011 - Ella Bailey (100 E. Heath Street)

May 13, 2011 - Northwood (1517 Winford Road)          
                                    
May 16, 2011 – V.S. Baker/Patterson Park (2601 E. Baltimore Street)    

May 18, 2011 - Roosevelt (1221 W. 36th Street)  

May 19, 2011 - Cahill Performing Arts Center (4001 Clifton Avenue)  

For more information, visit cphabaltimore.org/cct.
For updates and the latest contest information, visit Charm City Talent's Facebook page.

Baltimore Hockey Classic Tickets On Sale

Tickets are on sale now to see the Washington Capitals play in Baltimore for the first time in nearly 20 years! City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young announced this month that the Caps will play the Nashville Predators in a preseason game at 1st Mariner Arena on Sept. 20, 2011.

Tickets are available at baltimorehockeyclassic.com or through ticketmaster.com.

"On behalf of the city, I'm thrilled to welcome hockey and the Caps back to Baltimore," Council President Young said. "The Baltimore Hockey Classic will pay tribute to the sport's rich history here. From the Bandits to the Skipjacks and from the Blades to the Clippers, Baltimore has so many ties to the Washington Capitals. ... I'm thrilled to continue our great relationship."

The "Baltimore Hockey Classic" is the latest step in the Council President's relationship with the team. Last summer, Council President Young brought the Caps to Baltimore to host a free street hockey clinic, and in February, the Caps donated 40 sets of hockey equipment to a youth program in Patterson Park.

"Baltimore has been a great hockey market for many years, a great professional market, and we look forward to playing here and bringing our product to here," Caps General Manager George McPhee said.

Let’s Talk: Respond to the 2011 Citizen Survey!

Through the end of May, the City of Baltimore is surveying residents to get your perspectives about the satisfaction with City services. City departments use survey results to help them deliver services more effectively. A diverse cross-section of approximately 1,800 randomly selected residents will complete a telephone survey, which is being conducted by the University of Baltimore’s Schaefer Center. If you are contacted to participate in the survey, please take the few minutes necessary to provide your honest opinions about how we’re doing in Baltimore. There’s a separate, online survey available too this year at www.baltimorecity.gov/citizensurvey. Thank you for your help in making our city better!

Council President Young, pictured with the family of late City Councilman Kenneth Harris, attends Northwood Baseball Leagues Opening Day Ceremony to rename Northwood Baseball Field after Harris on Saturday, April 30.

Council President Young joins students in an Arbor Celebration on Friday, April 29 by planting eight trees at William Paca Elementary School that are among the 800 new trees that will be planted over the next few years in McElderry Park. Photo courtesy of John Dean.

Council President Young speaks to the nationally ranked chess team from Cross Country Elementary/Middle School on Monday, May 2.

I Know You're Looking, But What Do You See?
Friday, May 6 to Friday, June 17
Opening Reception: Friday, May 6, 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
School 33 Art Center, 1427 Light Street
This exhibition features six artists whose drawings, paintings and photographs force the viewer to unfold the narrative within each work. Curated by Lowery Stokes Sims of the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City, the exhibition features artwork with layers of meaning and possibility.
For more information, call 443-263-4350 or visit www.school33.org.

Employ-ABLE Career Fair
Friday, May 6 from 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Timonium State Fairgrounds, 2220 York Road, Timonium
This FREE career fair is open to job seekers with disabilities. Employers representing a variety of positions will be on hand. Admission is $3, or free is you pre-register or show a resume at the expo entrance. Dress for success.
For more information or to preregister, visit www.caringcommunities.com.

Books for Kids Day
Saturday, May 7 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Parking lot of Poly/Western High School, 1400 West Cold Spring Lane
Every year, this event collects thousands of new and gently used books to benefit the Baltimore Reads Book Bank, and it needs your help to make the day successful. Visit BooksForKidsDay.org for more information about how you can host a book drive, volunteer to help, or have your company sponsor the event.

Knight of Music
Saturday, May 7 at 6:00 PM
Goucher College Kraushaar Auditorium, 1021 Dulaney Valley Road
The Baltimore City College Choir presents its annual Knight of Music Gala Concert. The concert will feature a diverse repertoire, including the music of Nystedt, Faure, Tschenokoff, Hogan, Ellington, and Smallwood. Jazz, musical theater, music from the hit TV show GLEE, and spirited gospel selections will also be featured. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Proceeds from the gala will benefit the Baltimore City College Choir Scholarship Fund. For more information, call 1-877-4WE-SING (493-7464).

Red Line Open Houses
Saturday, May 7 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Edmondson High School, Cafeteria, 501 Athol Avenue
Wednesday, May 11 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
Woodlawn High School, Cafeteria, 1801 Woodlawn Drive
Saturday, May 14 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Hampstead Hill Academy, 500 N. Linwood Avenue
Tuesday, May 17 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
University of Maryland, Baltimore, SMC Campus Center, Ballrooms A and B, 621 West Lombard Street
The MTA Red Line Project Team and community members of the Station Area Advisory Committees cordially invite you to an information open house and workshop so that you can be involved in the latest Red Line planning. Join us at an open house in your community to get the latest project status, share ideas and talk to your neighbors about their work in developing a Red Line that will shape Baltimore's transportation future. At the open houses you can talk to your community’s representatives on Station Area Advisory Committees; provide feedback on key design options and visions for the future station areas; and ask questions about project status, schedule, and funding.
For more information, call 410-539-3497 or email redline@mta.maryland.gov.

The Virgin Mary and Other Migrant Mothers
Sunday, May 8 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles Street
Join Emmy-nominated singer/songwriter ellen cherry for a Mothers Day performance. Using history for inspiration, she will perform selections from her women's history album, Years, and draw from her extensive repertoire. The performance will highlight both the Virgin Mary and Dorothea Lange's iconic photograph "Migrant Mother."
For more information, visit thewalters.org.

Matt Birk's HIKE Foundation Celebrity Server Night
Monday, May 9 at 7:00 PM
Morton's The Steakhouse, 300 S. Charles Street
Join Baltimore Ravens All-Pro Center Matt Birk as he and his teammates trade their uniforms and helmets for plates and aprons to serve your dinner. Celebrity Server Night will benefit Matt Birk's HIKE Foundation, which provides educational opportunities to at-risk youth. The event will include silent and live auctions.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.hikefoundation.org.

Baltimore CASH Campaign Financial Fitness Series
Tuesday, May 10 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Enoch Pratt Free Library Central Branch, 400 Cathedral Street
Retirement will be here before you know it! Americans are living longer, and the cost of living is on the rise. Will you be able to live out your Golden Years in the way that you want? No matter what age you are, you should be saving for retirement. This workshop will explain the different sources of retirement income, how to calculate the amount you should save for retirement, and the different investment tools available to meet your goals. Registration is free, but space is limited.
For more information or to register, call 410-234-2803.

The Family Tree's 4th Annual Keep Your Cool Family Fun Fair
Saturday, May 14 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
The Y at Stadium Place, 900 33rd Street
Enjoy this FREE walk to benefit Maryland's children. Walkers must fill out a registration form and either bring it that morning or email/fax it back before May 14 if they want a T-Shirt.  The fair afterward will have rides, games, food, giveaways, a Ravens football clinic and more activities.
Fore more information or to register, call 410-889-2300 or visit familytreemd.org.

Spring 2011 Butchers Hill Flea Market and Craft Fair
Saturday, May 14 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Lombard Street at Patterson Park Avenue, by the White House
Fore more information call 410-675-0148 or visit butchershill.org.

Pro Bono Day
Saturday, May 14 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Maryland Legal Aid, 500 E. Lexington Street
Discuss your legal issues one-on-one with volunteer lawyers in a variety of areas, including landlord-tenant, government benefits, veterans issues, bankruptcy and consumer debt, wills, advance directives and elder law, foreclosure prevention, and divorce/custody/child support. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required.
For more information, call 410-539-5936 or email probono@baltimorebar.org.

Foreclosure Solutions Workshop
Saturday, May 14 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Poly-Western High School, 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane
With the recent passage of Maryland's Foreclosure Mediation Act, homeowners now have a new tool in their fight against foreclosure. Volunteer lawyers are available to assist in the process and ensure the best possible outcome. Homeowners do not need to be in foreclosure to obtain a consultation with a volunteer attorney. Make sure to bring all related paperwork.
For more information, visit www.probonomd.org/foreclosure.html.

Bike to Work Day
Friday, May 20
Bike to Work Day is an event celebrated across the United States each May to encourage and celebrate bicycling to work and promote public awareness of bicycling and bicycle safety. Locally, B2WD promotes a “clean commute” and is part of the region's Clean Commute Initiative, which begins in April. Late Spring is the start of the ground-level ozone season, when we hear about Code Red and Orange Ozone Action Days. On those days, the air is dangerous to breathe – especially for the young and for the elderly. Single occupancy vehicles produce 20 percent of the dangerous ozone-emission pollution in the Baltimore area. Bike commuting can improve the air we breathe.
For more information or to register, visit baltometro.org.

Tour Dem Parks, Hon!
Sunday, June 12
Ride begins and ends in Carroll Park, 1500 Washington Boulevard
Ride to benefit city parks in the ninth annual Tour Dem Parks, Hon. Choose from 12, 25, 36 or 64-mile rides, routes wind through Baltimore's parks and neighborhoods. A barbecue with live jazz will follow the ride. Registration is $35 for adults ($40 after June 1), and $15 for children 15 and under ($20 after June 1).
Fore more information or to register, call 410-396-4369, email info@tourdemparks.org, or visit tourdemparks.org. To register groups of 10 or more, call 410-382-0283.

Community Grant Funds Available for Fall 2011
The Parks and People Foundation offers twice-yearly grant rounds in two categories. Neighborhood Greening Grants for up to $1,000 fund tree plantings, vacant lot clean-ups and restoration, community gardens, schoolyard plantings, water quality improvements, and environmental education activities. Partnerships for Parks Grants from $500 to $5,000 fund park service projects, trail stewardship, playground restoration, tree planting and pruning, maintenance activities, and events supporting public parks. All Baltimore City community groups are eligible to apply.
All potential applicants MUST attend a workshop at the Stieff Silver Building on 800 Wyman Park Dr., Suite 010. Workshops are Wednesday, May 18 and Thursday, May 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. RSVP by Friday, May 13.
For more information, call 410-448-5663 x111 or email valerie.shane@parksandpeople.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.

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
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