Shop Small on November 26!

Dear Baltimoreans,

Small businesses are the foundation of our economy. That's why I introduced legislation at the City Council meeting on Monday, November 14 celebrating the 2nd Annual Small Business Saturday in Baltimore and city residents to shop at small businesses, which employ nearly 98 percent of Maryland’s workforce. 

My resolution mirrors a national trend in support of Small Business Saturday, which was created in 2010 by American Express as a way to support local businesses that create jobs and boost the economy. The idea was to create a shopping experience for small businesses that could rival big box stores’ Black Friday and online outlets’ Cyber Monday. Small Business Saturday will take place in Baltimore and around the country on Saturday, November 26, during one of the busiest shopping weekends of the year.

Small businesses represent Baltimore’s economic engine and are responsible for an outsized share of newly created jobs. I plan on shopping at a number of Baltimore’s small businesses on November 26, and I encourage residents and visitors to do the same.

M.J. “Jay” Brodie, president of the Baltimore Development Corp., said that Small Business Saturday provides an economic jolt to Baltimore’s businesses and neighborhoods.

“Baltimore’s small, local businesses are part of what makes this City unique, and Small Business Saturday is an opportunity for Baltimore’s residents to show their local support and pride in our neighborhood shopping districts,” Mr. Brodie said.

So get out and shop locally on Saturday, November 26, to show your support for our local businesses!

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

Monday Bagged Leaf Pick-Ups Return

Bagged leaf collection season will continue through Monday, January 30, 2012. The Bureau of Solid Waste will collect bagged leaves every Monday throughout the season with the exception of December 26, 2011, the observed Christmas holiday, January 2, 2012, the observed New Year’s holiday and January 16, 2012, the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Solid Waste crews will collect 20 bags of leaves from each address every Monday. Residents must call 311 before Sunday at 10 p.m. for the following Monday collection to schedule a pickup. Residents may make multiple appointments for up to two months prior to the pick up date.

The Bureau of Solid Waste will also continue to collect bagged leaves on the regularly scheduled trash collection day. Solid Waste crews will collect 5 bags of leaves from each address every week. Residents need to put leaves in clear or labeled bags and place them at their regular mixed refuse collection location and not in the public right-of-way. With Monday collections and regular mixed refuse collections, the Bureau of Solid Waste will collect, in total, 25 bags of leaves per week per resident – A 25 percent increase from last year and a 150 percent increase from the year before!

Residents can also drop off bagged leaves at five Bureau of Solid Waste locations Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

• Quarantine Road Sanitary Landfill – 6100 Quarantine Road
• Western Sanitation Yard - 701 Reedbird Avenue
• Eastern Sanitation Yard - 6101 Bowleys Lane
• Northwest Sanitation Yard - 2840 Sisson Street

Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.:

• Northwest Transfer Station – 5030 Reisterstown Road

Information courtesy of Baltimore City Department of Public Works.

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 joins Baltimore Station Executive Director Michael Seipp at the opening of a new facility in Sandtown Winchester that will provide recovery services and housing to many homeless veterans in Baltimore on Wednesday, November 9.

Council President Young joins Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan in Cherry Hill’s “Eat Healthy, Live Healthy” community garden for the announcement of a People’s Garden grant award on Thursday, November 10. The project was one of only ten funding awards nationwide.

Council President Young joins forces with Diakon and Baltimore Ravens Torrey Smith, Anquan Boldin and Ed Dickson to give out winter coats to homeless Baltimoreans on Tuesday, November 8.

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.

BCCC Alumni Association Open House
Thursday, November 17 at 6:00 PM
Mini Conference Center, Fine Arts Auditorium, 2901 Liberty Heights Avenue
Catch up with old friends, classmates and professors. Enjoy good music, conversation and refreshments while sharing memories from back in the day! BCCC alumni have a great history and an even greater future lies ahead!
For more information, call 410-462-8051 or email THampton@bccc.edu.

West Baltimore Farmers' Market
Saturdays through November from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
West Baltimore MARC, 400 N. Smallwood Street
The West Baltimore Farmers' Market presents its second season bringing locally grown foods to the communities in West Baltimore. Farmers from around the region will have an array of seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, meat, and more.
For more information, visit westbaltimoremarc.blogspot.com.

Plants & People: Sundays at the Conservatory
Sundays in November from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens, Druid Hill Park
Bring the entire family for fun and educational activities at Baltimore's Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens each Sunday in November. Activities will complement the conservatory's annual chrysanthemum show. On November 13, learn about conservatories and greenhouse growing conditions. On November 20, decorate a bud vase and take home a cut flower. November 27 will present a science demonstration--explore, discuss, and debate the greenhouse effect, climate change, and glass house environments.
For more information, call 410-396-0008.

Community Resource Fair
Thursday, November 17 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM
2201 N. Monroe Street
Need assistance with housing, gas and electric, jobs, counseling services, and much more and don't know where to go? Join the Center for Urban Families and let the service providers come to you!
For more information, call 410-367-5691 ext. 1306.

Star-Spangled 200
Thursday, November 17 at 11:30 AM
Inner Harbor, Bicentennial Plaza
Join Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young, Governor Martin O'Malley, and representatives form the U.S. Navy to celebrate the launch of Star-Spangled 200, A National Bicentennial in Maryland. Star-Spangled 200 will commemorate Maryland's unique contributions to the defense and heritage of the nation, including the pivotal clash that ensured American victory, an iconic flag, and our national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.
For more information, visit starspangled200.org.

Tiny Tots
Friday, November 18 and Saturday, November 19 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Northeast side of the boat lake in Patterson Park
Tiny Tots is an early childhood environmental education program where kids make a craft, play a game, and read a story around a central theme. Fall is a great time to explore the outdoors! This month, we will be learning how animals in the park are getting ready for the cold months ahead. Please call ahead to register for this program, open to ages 2-5 with an adult. The cost is $5 per child.
For more information or to register, call 410-276-3676.

Free Turkeys from the State of Maryland
Available through Friday, November 18
The State of Maryland has free turkeys for anyone receiving any kind of state assistance (EBT, SSI, TCA, Unemployment, etc.). To receive one, qualified individuals must call 410-685-0525 or 1-800-492-0618.

Better Water Ways Fall Cleanup
Saturday, November 19 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Streams Regionwide
Join this stream cleanup by volunteering at one of four sites that still need additional hands.
For more information, call 410-254-1577 x100 or email dlenik@bluewaterbaltimore.org.

Baltimore American Indian Center Museum & Gift Shop Open House
Saturday, November 19 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
113 S. Broadway 
For more information, call 410-675-3535 or email info@baic.org.

Winter Wonderland at West Shore Park
November 19 from 1:00 PM to 6:30 PM
West Shore Park, Inner Harbor
Enjoy live music, games, arts and crafts, holiday stories, and tasty treats. Create your own festive lantern in the Lantern Making Workshop, and join the merriment at Baltimore's first-ever Community Lantern Parade along the Inner Harbor's promenade. Festive lanterns, cascading ribbon trees, towering umbrellas, bands, illuminated stilt walkers, and costumed characters will come together in a finale with live singing choirs to greet Santa's arrival by boat.
For more information, visit www.waterfrontpartnership.org.

Holiday Festival of Trains
Friday November 25 through Saturday, December 31 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM (11:00 AM on Sundays)
Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt Street
Celebrate the holiday season at Baltimore’s largest holiday display of toy and model train layouts. Santa arrives by locomotive to the Roundhouse at 10:30 am on November 25. Weekend train rides and photo opportunities take place with Santa through December 21, and with Frosty the Snowman through December 31. It’s a train load of fun that's become an annual holiday tradition!
For more information, visit www.borail.org.

A Monumental Occasion
Thursday, December 1 at 5:30 PM
Mount Vernon Place, 600 N. Charles Street
Mount Vernon Place celebrates the holiday season with the 40th annual lighting of the Washington Monument. The ceremony will begin at 7:00 p.m., with the official lighting at approximately 7:20 p.m. Come enjoy an evening of strolling entertainment and refreshments. The event ends with a colorful fireworks finale.
For more information, call 1-877-BALTIMORE.

Morgan State Kwanzaa Celebration
Saturday, December 3 at 11:00 AM
Morgan State University Student Center, Hiller Road Between Argonne Drive and Cold Spring Lane
The Office of Community Service at Morgan State University is presenting its annual Kwanzaa Celebration for school aged children in grades K through 12. This event is FREE and will feature music, games, exhibits, dance, art, storytelling, food and other culturally rich activities. Morgan State University students will teach Baltimore City youth about the African American culture, encourage them to stay in school and to reject alcohol, tobacco and other drugs.  Registration will begin at 11 a.m.
For more information, call 443-885-4328.

Bed & Breakfast Holiday House Tour
Sunday, December 4 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Rediscover the charm and joy of the holiday season with the Better Baltimore Bed & Breakfasts Second Annual Holiday House Tour. Member B&Bs and inns will open their doors to share yuletide cheer with ticket holders. A portion of the proceeds will support the work of Moveable Feast. Enjoy homemade food and drink, explore seasonal decor at its best, and experience the city’s hospitality as you meet the owners, hosts, and innkeepers.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit baltimoreholidayhousetour.ticketleap.com.

Mayor’s Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 4 at 2:00 PM
Hampden
Join the Mayor's 39th Annual Christmas Parade! From the Baltimore Marching Ravens, to Harley Davidson motorcycles, marching bands, and Santa Claus, the music-filled event marches its way through Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood. It's a great way to start the holiday cheer.
For more information, visit www.mayorschristmasparade.com.

Chesapeake Bay Trust's Awards Program
Applications or nominations due by Friday, December 16 at 5:00 PM
Each year, the Trust recognizes outstanding achievements by educators and students who work to engage Marylanders in efforts to protect and restore the Chesapeake Bay and local waters. Currently we are accepting applications for the awards outlined below especially for teachers and students.  To apply and for more information, please visit the Trust’s Awards Registration Page.
The Teacher of the Year Award is given annually to a teacher who motivates and inspires students by promoting environmental awareness and stewardship.  The winning applicant will receive a $2,500 award to go toward funding Trust-approved environmental field trips and/or outdoor education work at their school or organization.
The Students of the Year Scholarship award provides a $5,000 scholarship to a Maryland high school or college student who has shown an outstanding commitment to environmental stewardship, Chesapeake Bay restoration and community involvement.
The Honorable Arthur Dorman Scholarship award provides a $5,000 scholarship to a Maryland high school or college student who demonstrates a commitment to improving the health of the environment and the Chesapeake Bay and who, as a student of color, exhibits exemplary leadership in promoting diversity and inclusion in his/her school and broader community.
Do you know someone who fits the bill?  Then we encourage you to nominate teachers for the award and ask you to help identify eligible students and encourage them to apply as well.  APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE AT WWW.CBTRUST.ORG
For more information, call 410-974-2941 ext. 107.

Community Grant Funds Available for Fall 2011
Letter of intent due December 22, application due by January 27, 2012
The Parks and People Foundation offers twice-yearly grant rounds in two categories. Neighborhood Greening & Clean Water 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. Workshops are Wednesday, November 30 (Bon Secours Community Works, 26 N. Fulton Avenue), Thursday, December 1 (Zeta Center for Healthy & Active Aging, 4501 Reisterstown Road), and Tuesday, December 6 (HEBCAC, 1212 N. Wolfe Street) from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. RSVP four days prior to the workshop you will attend.
For more information, call 410-448-5663 x111 or email valerie.shane@parksandpeople.org.

Family-to-Family Mental Illness Course
Saturday, January 28 from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Govans Boundary United Methodist Church, 5210 York Road
Tuesday, February 21 from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, 905 Frederick Road
Wednesday, March 28 from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Kingdom Harvest Christian Center, 12 Gwynns Mill Court
Family to Family is a free 12-week course sponsored by NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) for close relatives of individuals with severe mental illness. The course teaches the clinical treatment of major mental illnesses and the knowledge and skills that family members need to cope more effectively.  Topics include: communication skills, coping techniques, brain biology, medications, advocacy and more and are taught by trained family members. NAMI Metropolitan Baltimore is sponsoring three classes this winter/spring session.  Participants must call to register.
Classes fill quickly, so call today at 410-435-2600.

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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