Teaming Up to Help the Homeless

Dear Baltimoreans:

Often our busy schedules serve as a roadblock to us giving back to our less fortunate neighbors.

As we prepare to enter the holiday season I would like to take time out to remind us that we each should strive to improve our communities and to uplift our neighbors.

On Tuesday, November 16, 2010, I had the privilege of joining several star players from the Baltimore Ravens to distribute winter coats and personal gift bags to 300 homeless Baltimoreans.

The event was held at the Helping Up Mission on E. Baltimore Street and organized by Diakon Kathryn’s Kloset. Quarterback Joe Flacco, wide receivers Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, guards Chris Chester and Tony Moll and tackle Michael Oher took time off from preparing for this week’s opponent, the Carolina Panthers, to lend a helping hand to hundreds of homeless men.

 I am thankful for the Baltimore Ravens, Kathryn’s Kloset and the Helping up Mission and I appreciate the fact that they each put such a premium on giving back to our community. As the temperature starts to drop we need to remain mindful of the fact that too many people are forced to live under life-threatening conditions. Together, we can help our fellow Baltimoreans.

For several years Diakon Kathryn’s Kloset has been working to improve the lives of Marylanders through its numerous charitable acts. In the past five years, the organization has served more than one million people in the Mid-Atlantic region.

The Helping Up Mission has been a fixture in Baltimore for more than a century. The organization works to improve the lives of the city’s poor and homeless through a 12-month residential Spiritual Recovery Program that focuses on the intellectual, physical, social and spiritual needs of Baltimore’s men.

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

Council President Honors Military Veterans

City Council President Bernard C. “Jack” Young on Thursday, November 11, 2010, joined Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake as she honored the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces during a Veterans Day ceremony at the War Memorial Plaza.

The celebration was attended by a host of state and city officials. Special remarks were provided by retired United States Marine Corps Lieutenant General Frank E. Peterson Jr., who on February 23, 1979, became the first African American Marine Corps general.

“We humbly pay tribute to the men and women of our military who courageously make the ultimate sacrifice to protect the freedoms enjoyed by all Americans,” Council President Young said. “Today’s ceremony represents a tiny fraction of the deep gratitude I feel for the men and women who are called to serve on our nation’s behalf.”

City Council Finalizes Government Transparency Bill

The Baltimore City Council on Monday, November 8, 2010, granted President Bernard C. "Jack" Young's Transparency and Accountability Bill (TAB) final approval, and the legislation now awaits action from Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to become law. The bill would allow proceedings from the Liquor Board, Board of Municipal Zoning Appeals and Board of Estimates, which represent three of the city’s most influential decision-making bodies, to be televised.

Most citizens are kept in the dark about decisions made by these powerful boards – which rule on everything from zoning changes to the awarding of multi-million dollar construction contracts – because they are not currently televised, and the meetings often take place during the day when people are at work.

“Tonight’s passage of my landmark Transparency and Accountability Bill (TAB) is a major step toward true government openness and accountability," President Young said. "I look forward to Mayor Rawlings-Blake’s immediate adoption of this resolution." 

Since being elected Council President, President Young has worked hard to ensure that the City Council is focused in a tangible way on government transparency. In April, the City Council passed new ethics legislation that helped make government more transparent by expanding and strengthening the ethics board and clarifying the qualifications for ethics board members. And last month, President Young introduced legislation to enhance the city’s rules governing lobbying.

"With today’s passage of TAB, Baltimore is truly moving in the right direction," the President said. "Together, we are creating a stronger city built on increased transparency.”

Please contact Mayor Rawlings-Blake at 410-396-3835 or email mayor@baltimorecity.gov to urge her to fully fund the Council President's transparency legislation.

Graphite on Paper
November 12 through December 31, Wednesday-Saturday from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
School 33 Art Center, Main Gallery, 1427 Light Street
During this group exhibition, regional artists employ graphite on paper as their primary media.  The exhibit is a celebration of drawing.  Since this show is using Graphite on Paper as its thematic current, preliminary drawings, sketchbooks, doodles as well as refined and "finished" works will be included.
For more information, visit www.school33.org.

Choice Fair
Saturday, November 13 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Poly-Western Complex, 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane
Come learn about Baltimore City Public Schools' unique middle and high school programs. Explore your options as you talk with staff members and students from 65 different schools. College-bound students can get advice about classes needed to prepare for college.
For more information, call 410-396-8600 or visit www.baltimorecityschools.org.

Start Early. Save Smart.
Tuesday, November 16 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Mary Ann Winterling Elementary School, 220 N. Bentalou Street
Learn about the College Savings Plan of Maryland and ways to save for college.

Community Conversation with Schools CAO
Tuesday, November 16 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Avenue
Join City Schools Chief Academic Officer Sonja Brookins-Santelises as she explains the new Common Core Standards and what they mean for City Schools.

The Black Family Today and Beyond
Wednesday, November 17 from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM
The Center for Urban Families, 2201 N. Monroe Street
Join researchers, policymakers, service providers, parents and youth to discuss challenges and solutions to strengthening black families. A panel discussion will take place at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception, evening workshops and a resource fair.
For more information or to RSVP, call 410-246-1388, visit www.cfuf.org or email oranelson@cfuf.org.

Parks & People Community Grants Application Training Workshops
Wednesday and Thursday, November 17 and 18 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Parks and People Foundation, 800 Wyman Park Drive, Suite 010 (entrance in rear)
These workshops will provide up-to-date information on Neighborhood Greening and Partnerships for Parks Grants programs offered by Parks & People and its partners.  Find out what kind of projects P&P does and does not fund, get information and resources and connect with people around the city who are working on similar ideas.  Staff contacts for applicants will be assigned at the workshops and we will help you with your project ideas.  Refreshments will be provided.
All new applicants are required to send a representative to one of the two workshops.  Returning applicants are encouraged to send a representative who has not attended in the past.  Space is limited!  RSVP by Friday, November 12.  Grant application deadline is Friday, January 28, 2011 at 5 p.m. by mail or in-hand.
To RSVP or for more information, call 410-448-5663 x115 or email portia.smith@parksandpeople.org.

Gwynns Falls Habitat Restoration Project Event
Thursday, November 18 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
1900 Annapolis Road (parking on Claire Street)
Join Enterprise (Rent-a-Car), Westport Waterfront, Maryland Chapter of American Society of Landscape Architects, REI, Gwynns Falls Trail Council and the Parks & People Foundation to clean and green a section of riparian buffer along the Gwynns Falls adjacent to the Gwynns Falls Trail. This project will make much-needed improvements to the health of the habitat and water quality and provide community access to the water that has been blocked for decades. We recommend that you bring a reusable water bottle and gloves and dress for removing invasive plants (no open toe shoes and wear long pants and long sleeves). ASLA will provide expert advice on plants to be removed.
For more information or to register, call 410- 401-5037 or email Jessica.L.Schuleri@erac.com.

Bed Bug Response Meeting
Thursday, November 18 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Bon Secours Family Support Center, 26 North Fulton Street
Bed bug infestations are on the rise in Baltimore City. The Baltimore City Health Department will hold a series of community meetings to help residents get answers. Learn about avoiding bed bugs, detecting and identifying bed bugs, treatment steps, and city services related to bed bugs.
For more information about bed bugs, visit www.baltimorehealth.org/bedbugs.

Community Conversation with Schools CEO
Thursday, November 18 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
St. Veronica Roman Catholic Church, 806 Cherry Hill Road
Join City Schools Chief Executive Officer Andrés A. Alonso for a conversation about American Education Week and how this year's theme applies to City Schools.

Harvest Disco
Friday, November 19 from 10:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Farring Baybrook Recreation Center, 4501 Farring Court
Enjoy music and great food at this event for adults with disabilities. Pre-registration is required, and admission is $8.
For more information, call 410-396-1550.

Santa's Arrival for the Holidays
Friday, November 19 at 6:00 PM
Harborplace Amphitheater, 200 East Pratt Street
Santa Claus will arrive at Harborplace & The Gallery this holiday season in grand style! The brick promenade will become aglow as he is ushered in by a cast of characters who have shaped the quintessential quirkiness of Charm City. Festivities will include special performances, music and the grand finale of the official lighting of the Santa house. In addition, this year Santa's classic house has been transformed using an environmentally green design. Santa's Place will be open for photos and visits with Santa throughout the holiday season.

Awaken Baltimore Fatherhood Summit
Saturday, November 20 from 9:30 AM-1:00 PM
Northwest District Community Action Center, 3939 Reisterstown Road
Come discuss parental involvement, male presence in children's lives, challenges and stereotypes. Continental breakfast will be provided.
For more information or to RSVP, email kevin.slayton@baltimorecity.gov.

Foreclosure Intervention Workshops
Saturday, November 20 from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM
Oliver Economic Development Corporation, 1400 E. Federal Street
It's important to understand your options as early as possible! This workshop will give you insight into basic steps you can take to save your home from foreclosure. Come speak with HUD-certified counselors, learn to create and stick to a budget, know your consumer rights and get out of financial trouble.
To register for this free workshop, call 443-388-9809.

It's All About the Children
Saturday, November 20 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Higher Dimensions Christian Center at the Palladium, 2900 Liberty Heights Avenue
Over 6,000 children in foster care need help. This 5th annual event will serve as a fun-filled day for children in foster care and recognize current foster care and kinder-care parents. This no-cost event is for children in foster care and their families.
For more information or if you would like to volunteer, call 410-362-3758 or visit www.iflp.org.

Vendor Development Series for Minority and Women Business Enterprises
Monday, November 22 and 29 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Small Business Resource Center, 1101 E. 33rd Street, Suite C-307
These seminars will expose minority-owned and women-owned businesses to the proper policies, procedures and processes, including the law for conducting business with the City of Baltimore. The seminars cost $25 per class or $100 for the entire series.
For more information or to register, call 410-396-3818.

Highlandtown Holiday Train Garden
Saturday, December 4 through Saturday, January 1
Engine Company 41, 530 S. Conkling Street
Don't miss the train in a new Highlandtown tradition! This free exhibit showcases a model train garden built by volunteers and housed in the Conkling Street Firehouse in Baltimore City. It is open to the public on Saturday and Sunday afternoons and Thursday evenings in December.
For more information, visit highlandtowntraingarden.com.

Renters in Foreclosure Workshops
Tuesday, December 14 at 6:00 PM
Public Justice Center, 1 North Charles Street, Suite 200
The Public Justice Center is holding two free upcoming workshops designed to help tenants whose landlords are in foreclosure. Attendees to these workshops will receive detailed information as to their rights as tenants throughout the course of a foreclosure, as well as one-on-one consultations with Public Justice Center attorneys and paralegals. Please RSVP by Nov. 10 or Dec. 8.
To RSVP or for more information, call at 410-625-9409.

Washington Wizards/Washington Mystics Holiday Hoops Camp
Tuesday, December 28 through Thursday, December 30
St. Frances Academy, 501 E. Chase Street
Register for a spot in the only authentic NBA and WNBA camp in the Baltimore metropolitan area. Campers receive professional instruction, an official T-shirt and a one free ticket to the Wizards home game on Wednesday, December 29. Register before November 30 to get the early bird price of $170 (regular cost is $185). Boys and girls ages 8-17 are welcome.
For more information or to register, call 202-527-7503 or visit wizardsbasketballcamps.com.