Everyday Heroes: Focusing on Success

Dear Baltimoreans,

In the mid-1990s, then-18-year-old Anita Foster had visions of starting programs that would curb teenage pregnancy, reduce high school truancy rates and raise self-esteem among Baltimore City students.

Never mind the fact that Ms. Foster, a Druid Heights resident, had no funding or real organizational background to bring her lofty dreams to reality.

“Community activism is something I have a passion for, and when you have a passion for something the details are not a roadblock,” Ms. Foster said.

Fast forward more than a dozen years and Ms. Foster, 33, is still pursuing her passion of trying to better her community and the young people who remind her so much of herself as a Baltimore youth.

“I’m concerned about the youth and the generation behind me,” she said.

Next school year, Ms. Foster plans to continue her community activism with the launch of Motivation to Success, a program geared toward 11th and 12th-graders that is designed to build responsibility and respect through seminars and workshops on gang prevention, small business ownership and homeownership. Ms. Foster also plans to use Motivation to Success to host courses on career skills and to introduce basic job structures. The program will be open to all city residents attending high school. Ms. Foster said she’s still ironing out the registration details but expects to recruit adults in various fields to serve as mentors and help facilitate the program.

The goal, she said, is to show young people that education matters and that the decisions they make as teens will play a critical role in shaping their futures.

“So many of our city’s young people want to go to college but don’t know where to start,” Ms. Foster said.  “If I can just help to take the guesswork out of the process then all of my hard work would be worth it.”

Ms. Foster is no stranger to community activism. As a teenager living in the Latrobe Homes she started a youth community marching band as an outlet for her peers. And for the past decade Ms. Foster has organized Take Back the Streets, a back-to-school event in West Baltimore that each year supplies about 2,000 neighborhood students with book bags filled with school supplies.

“I spend my time working so hard for my community because I see that we are capable of growing together and I really do enjoy doing positive things for my community,” Ms. Foster said.

Feel free to contact Ms. Foster for additional information on her programs at mtsprogram1@gmail.com or 443-573-7691.

Baltimoreans like Anita Foster are helping to improve our city every day.

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

Support Transparency and Accountability

On Monday, November 1, 2010, at 5 p.m., the City Council's Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee will hold a hearing to explore the possibility of broadcasting 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.

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.

City Council President Bernard C. "Jack" Young introduced the Transparency and Accountability Bill (TAB) on September 20, 2010, to determine the feasibility of televising these important proceedings. The hearing is open to the public and will be broadcast on TV25.

Location:  Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th Floor, City Hall
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Date: Monday, Nov. 1, 2010

Vote 'Yes' on Bond Issues D-K on November 2

Tuesday, November 2, 2010, is Election Day, and it is also a day to vote on issues that will help shape the future of Baltimore City. Voting for this year’s bond questions is about making our great city even better for years to come. For more information about the campaign, visit the Bond Campaign Site.

General Obligation Bonds are borrowed funds that are secured by the full faith and credit of the city and comprise a portion of the city’s annual debt. These bonds must be approved by the Planning Commission, Board of Finance, Board of Estimates, City Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly, the City Council and a majority of the voters in Baltimore City before funds can be appropriated and expended. The 2010 Bond Issues, questions D through K on the ballot, will enable the city to issue $100 million in General Obligation Bonds, $50 million for fiscal year 2012 and $50 million for fiscal year 2013.

Free Fall Baltimore
The entire month of October
Free Fall Baltimore returns with free arts and culture events, performances, workshops and more throughout the month of October.  Bring the whole family to various cultural attractions throughout Baltimore. 
For more information or a complete listing of events, call 410-752-8632 or visit www.freefallbaltimore.com.

Annual Public Forum on Disabilities
Wednesday, October 27 from 1:00 PM-2:30 PM
The League for People with Disabilities, 111 E. Cold Spring Lane
Discuss MTA Mobility Services and door-to-door service updates.
For more information, call 443-984-3170.

Bed Bud Response Meeting
Wednesday, October 27 from 6:30 PM-7:30 PM
Southeast Anchor Branch Pratt Library, 3601 Eastern Avenue
The Baltimore City Health Department will hold a series of free community meetings to provide information on how to combat bed bugs. Specifically, the Health Department will help residents, travelers, students and others learn to avoid, detect, identify and treat bed bugs. The event is free but seating is limited.
For more information visit baltimorebedbugresponse.eventbrite.com.

HIV Strategic Prevention Plan Town Hall Meeting
Thursday, October 28 from 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Baltimore City Hall, 100 N. Holliday Street
The Baltimore City Commission on HIV/AIDS will host this discussion on working toward a strategic plan for HIV prevention in Baltimore City.
For more information, call 410-396-1617 or email at cassandra.stewart@baltimorecity.gov.

Harford Park Community Association Hall of Horrors
Friday, October 29 through Sunday, October 31 from 7:00 PM-10:00 PM
Harford Park Community Association Building, 2522 Linwood Road, Parkville, MD
Kaspar's Night Terrors presents the Hall of Horrors, hosted by the Harford Park Community Association. Enter at your own risk for $5.

Pro Bono Day
Saturday, October 30 from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM
Maryland Legal Aid, 500 E. Lexington Street
The Bar Association of Baltimore City (BABC) is hosting its third Pro Bono Day. Participants can discuss their civil legal issues one on one with volunteer lawyers. The event is free and open to the public. Please bring any relevant documents with you. Registration is not required but is strongly encouraged. For more information or to register, call 410-539-5936 ext. 102 or email probono@baltimorebar.org.

"Village Life Goes on Along Old York Road" Launch
Saturday, October 30 from 12:00 PM-2:30 PM
Waverly Farmers Market, E. 32nd Street and Barclay Street
The Better Waverly Community Organization, Abell Improvement Association and Waverly Main Street invite you to be part of history at this free event celebrating the very long and incredibly rich history of our commercial corridor with the release of this publication made possible by a grant from Baltimore Community Foundation. A historic walking tour begins at 12:00 p.m. and a reception will be held at the end of the tour at 2:00 p.m.

Mums, Mischief & Merriment
Saturday, October 30 from 2:00 PM-4:00 PM
Howard Peters-Rawlings Conservatory, Druid Hill Park
Enjoy mums, mischief and merriment at this year's medieval-themed fall chrysanthemum display at the Conservatory. Stroll through the town or go on a quest to find the dragon's lair. Suggested donation is $5 per adult. Open House takes place October 30; display runs through November 21.
For more information, call 410-396-0008 or visit www.baltimorecity.gov/recnparks.

Boo-Fest
Saturday, October 30 from 3:00 PM-5:00 PM
Mid-Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts, 5543 Harford Road
Enjoy a pet costume contest, costume parade, trick or treat, music and dancing.
For more information, email Regina@HamiltonLauravilleMainStreet.org.

Cub Pack 159 Presents a "Haunted Trail"
Saturday, October 30 from 5:30 PM-8:30 PM
3013 Iona Terrace
Entry is $2, with all proceeds going to Cub Pack 159.
For more information, call 410-444-2100.

Roland Avenue Ciclovia
Sunday, October 31 from 8:00 AM-1:00 PM
Along Roland Avenue
Roland Park invites the Waverly Community to join friends and neighbors to get a glimpse of ciclovia in our city. Bring your bikes, skates, skateboard, strollers, or just walk. Southbound Roland Avenue will be opened for non-vehicular traffic from Gilman/Roland Park Country School entrances to Cold Spring Lane.
For more information, call 410-243-9151, visit rolandpark.org or email mike.mcquestion@gmail.com.

Vendor Development Series for Minority and Women Business Enterprises
Monday, November 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 from 6:00 PM-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.

Tuerk House 5k Run and 1 Mile Fun Run
Saturday, November 6 at 9:00 AM
Druid Hill Park, Swan Pavilion
Enjoy a course through historic Druid Hill Park, live music by the Gig More Brothers, awards for the top three overall winners and age group winners, refreshments, silent auction, goody bags and post-race food all to benefit Baltimore men and women in recovery. The race is presented by Kelly & Associates Insurance Group and KTBSPayroll. Registration is $30 before Nov. 6 and $35 on race day. Advance registration includes an Under Armor T-shirt. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the race starts at 9 a.m.
For more information or to register, call 443-562-9820, emperticone@verizon.net or visit tuerkhouse.org.

Foreclosure Intervention Workshops
Saturday, November 6 and 20 from 11:00 AM-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 at 443-388-9809.

Renters in Foreclosure Workshops
Tuesday, November 16 and 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
December 28-30
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 o 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.