A Call to Action

Dear Baltimoreans,

I'm calling on everyone in the city to help me make a difference. We're one week away from "Do it Now Day," a citywide day of service that will honor the legacy of one of Charm City’s most effective leaders, the late William Donald Schaefer.

“Do It Now Day” will improve Baltimore neighborhoods and will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 2, which would have been Mayor Schaefer’s 90th birthday.

I have planned several events throughout the city to set an example of how you can help.

First, I'll be helping to restore the stone path in Clifton Park's Mothers' Garden. Mothers' Garden, established in 1926, was rededicated to Mayor Schaefer in 1984 in honor of his late mother, Ms. Tululu Irene Schaefer, and "all devoted mothers of Baltimore."

Next, I'll travel to Pimlico Elementary School to help students, businesses and community leaders clean up and landscape the school grounds. Finally, I'll head to Cahill Performing Arts Center to put a fresh coat of paint on several interior rooms and hallways.

I encourage all city residents to participate in community service activities, no matter how big or small. Organize a group effort in your neighborhood or just head out on your own with a task in mind. Some suggestions include:

• Taking a few moments of your lunch break to go outside and pick up trash
• Checking in and spending time with seniors in your community
• Helping neighbors with household tasks or yardwork
• Joining with neighbors to clean your block’s curbs, alleys and areas around your homes
• Organizing a community walk around your neighborhood and reporting any problems to 311

  William Donald Schaefer

Email pictures of yourself, group or organization participating in “Do It Now Day” activities to
CouncilPresident@BaltimoreCity.gov, and your photos could be featured in my weekly newsletter. The group or individual with the best photo will be recognized by the City Council.

Mayor Schaefer, who also served terms as Maryland governor and comptroller, was famous for his effective leadership and “do-it-now” attitude. Here’s your chance to pay homage to Mayor Schaefer by continuing his mission.

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

Important MVA Information for our Maryland Drivers

Maryland's Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) announced it has added an emergency contact option to Maryland driver's licenses. Maryland drivers can now add three emergency contacts to their driver's license so police will know who to call if an accident occurs. The emergency contact information is stored electronically on an individual's driver's license and will be available only to authorized law enforcement personnel.
 
You can go to MVA's website at www.mva.maryland.gov and add your three emergency contacts in just a few minutes. Go to the website, click "On-line Transactions, then click "More" and then click "Emergency Contacts" to add your emergency contacts. The entire process takes less than 10 minutes.

In other news, the MVA will no longer be sending out regular reminders that your driver’s licence will need to be renewed. It’s your responsibility to keep track of when it’s due for renewal. And be careful, if you miss your renewal date for over a year, you will have to take a driver’s test again.

Information courtesy of the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration.

Monday Bagged Leaf Pick-Ups Return

Bagged leaf collection season started Monday, October 17 and continues 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 spends time with students at Windsor Hills/Global Elementary School as part of Operation Hope's Global Dignity Day on Wednesday, Oct. 19.

Council President Young and Councilman William "Pete" Welch help cut the ribbon at the new Roots and Branches School on Wednesday, Oct. 19.

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.

Home Depot Foundation's Community Impact Grants
Applications due Monday, October 31
The Home Depot Foundation makes grants, up to $5000, to registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, public schools, or tax-exempt public service agencies in the U.S. that are using the power of volunteers to improve the physical health of their community. Grants are given in the form of The Home Depot gift cards for the purchase of tools, materials, or services.
For more information, visit homedepotfoundation.org.

Historic Fell's Point Trail Tours
Tuesday through Friday at 11:00 AM and 1:30 PM
There’s a big story in this little quaint Baltimore neighborhood of specialty shops and bars. Tours are $5 per person, free to children 12 and under.

Second Sundays in the Park
Second Sunday of each month from May to November from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, 1920 Eagle Drive
Come spend an enjoyable afternoon in the park with activities for many interests and ages, including miniature steam train rides, guided tours of the historic Orianda House, a labyrinth, hikes and live music.

Fell's Point Farmers' Market
Every Saturday from June 4 through November 12 from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM
Broadway Square in Fell's Point
After more than 200 years, the farmer's market is returning to historic Fell's Point! Come shop a great selection of local farm-fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers and other homemade items.

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.

Fall Garden Day
Friday, October 28 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Filbert Street Garden, 1317 Filbert Street
In cooperation with the Parks and People Foundation, the Curtis Bay Community Association and Child First Authority, the Filbert Street Garden will be hosting an all day work day. Stop by to help us work on the community nature trail, the outdoor classroom and more! After the work day, we'll be celebrating with a campfire dinner and live music from Baltimore's own Dead Whale Ramblers.
For more information, visit filbertstreetgarden.blogspot.com.

ZooBOOO!
Friday, October 28 through Sunday, October 30 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Druid Hill Park
Calling all ghosts, goblins, and friendly monsters! Come to the Zoo dressed to impress and enjoy trick-or-treating, costume contests, fun carnival games, crafts, live entertainment, delicious food, and more! Kids are encouraged to bring goodie bags and wear costumes. If you forget your costume, face painting will be available for a small additional cost. Some games may require additional fees.
For more information, visit www.marylandzoo.org.

Great Big Halloween Parade of Light & Luminaria
Saturday, October 29 from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Patterson Park, Eastern Avenue and Linwood Avenue
Join workshops, luminaria-making sessions, a hayride, food trucks, live music and a parade. Workshops are at 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., and the parade starts at 7 p.m.
For more information, visit http://greatbighalloweenparadeoflightandluminaria.wordpress.com/.

Financial Planning Day
Saturday, October 29 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Frederick Douglass High School, 2301 Gwynns Falls Parkway
Don't miss this opportunity for a private consultation with experts from the Financial Planning Association and highly qualified Certified Financial Planner professionals. In addition to one-on-one consultations, workshops on a variety of financial topics will take place throughout the day. All workshops and consultations are free.
For more information, or to register, visit www.financialplanningdays.org/baltimore.

Walk for Maryland's Children
Saturday, October 29 from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center Y, 900 33rd Street
Come early for the 1 mile Kids Fun Walk and 5k Family Walk or enjoy the Family Fair from 10:00 am-noon. Entertainment and activities include football clinics from Ravens Director of Player Personnel Eric DeCosta, hula hoop activities, food, face painting, giveaways, and more.
For more information or to register, visit www.familytreemd.org or call 410-889-2300.

St. Frances Academy Community Center Halloween Party
Monday, October 31 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
St. Frances Academy Community Center, 501 E. Chase Street
Come for trick-or-treat bags, games, music, food, a costume contest and prizes! There will also be a blood drive run my MedStar, and all blood donors will be entered into a drawing for a surprise gift.
For more information, call 410-539-5794 ext. 30 or ext. 28.

Baltimore National Heritage Area Tours
Free tours end Monday, October 31
Tours begin at the Inner Harbor Visitor Center, 401 Light Street
Take advantage of the Baltimore National Heritage Area’s Area FREE urban ranger-led walking tours. This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the cooler temperatures, get some exercise, and learn more about Charm City. Both Heritage Walk and Mount Vernon tours depart from the Inner Harbor Visitor Center daily with Heritage Walk at 10 a.m. and Mount Vernon at 1:00 p.m. Each tour is 90 minutes; feel free to walk the entire 1.2 miles or stop at one of the interesting sites along the way.

Financial Fitness Series: Managing Your Energy Costs
Tuesday, November 1 from 6:00 OM to 7:00 PM
Enoch Pratt Library, 400 Cathedral Street
It's getting cold outside, and heating your home is costly. Join the Fuel Fund of Maryland for a workshop on strategies and programs that help keep your energy costs low throughout the year. Gain insights on how to prevent turn-offs, eviction, and foreclosure due to unpaid energy bills.
For more information, visit www.baltimorecashcampaign.org.

Federal Hill and Fell's Point Benefit Concert
Tuesday, November 1 at 7:30 PM
Morgan Stanley Building, 1300 Thames Street 
Pianist Lafayette Gilchrist is joined by Saxophonist Whit Williams for an evening of music that will benefit The Preservation Society & Creative Differences. Tickets are $25 per person.
For more information or to get tickets, call 410-675-6750 ext. 16.

Reginald F. Lewis Museum Lunch & Learn
Wednesday, November 2 at 12:00 PM
Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, 830 E. Pratt Street
Enjoy this learning session about Samuel Green in recognition of Maryland Emancipation Day. Green,, a Methodist minister was suspected of aiding runaway slaves on the Eastern Shore, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for having a copy of Uncle Tom's Cabin. This session costs $5 but is free to museum members.
Fore more information or to register, call 443-263-1816 or email resourcecenter@maamc.org.

Eddie C. Brown Visits BCCC
Wednesday, November 2 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM
Baltimore City Community College, 2901 Liberty Heights Avenue
Money manager Eddie C. Brown is visiting Baltimore City Community College! Brown is founder and president of Brown Capital Management in Baltimore, one of the country’s oldest African American-owned investment management firms. The day promises to be interesting and useful!
For more information, call 410-462-8431.

Transform Baltimore Speak Out
Thursday, November 3 from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM
War Memorial Building, 101 N. Gay Street
Come hear from parents, teachers, and students about the conditions of Baltimore City school buildings, see a vision for modernized schools, and support Baltimore's adoption of the "Greenville" plan. Transform Baltimore members presented at over 50 Back-to-School nights in September and reached thousands of parents, teachers, students, and school community members.  On Nov. 3, teams from each of these schools will present their reactions to their buildings.
For more information, visit transformbaltimore.org or call 410-889-8550 ext. 123.

A Time to Heal
Sunday, November 6 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Sinai Hospital, Hecht Building, 2401 W. Belvedere Avenue
A Time to Heal will honor families who have lost a child or teen to violence. Featured speaker Dr. Lonise Boas and other invited guests will share experiences and offer remarks. This event is free to attend, but RSVP is required.
For more information or to RSVP, visit atimetoheal.eventbrite.com or call 410-467-1605.

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.

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.

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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