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Issue #98: January 9, 2009

Dear Friends:

January is National Mentoring Month

On Monday I will introduce a City Council resolution to support National Mentoring Month 2009 and officially recognize the selfless contributions of volunteers from Baltimore City's businesses, churches, schools, and non-profits who serve as mentors. The campaign mobilizes community volunteers to help young people achieve their full potential. Mentoring Month is spearheaded by the Harvard Mentoring Project of the Harvard School of Public Health, National Mentoring Partnership, and the Corporation for National and Community Service. For Monday's City Council meeting, our guest will be Leon Henry, Director of Outreach for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Maryland. Mr. Henry will be accompanied by several local mentors and young people who will share their personal experiences and talk about the importance of mentoring.

In November the City Council joined with City agency heads to announce new mentoring opportunities for City employees with Big Brothers Big Sisters, the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in the United States. At that time, approximately 50 Baltimore City employees were matched with a young person as part of the Big Brothers Big Sisters mentoring program. In December my office hosted Big Brothers Big Sisters sign up/information sessions for City employees. As a result, the mentoring program has received renewed interest, with several City employees seeking opportunities to mentor a young person.

Big Brothers Big Sisters offers a range of flexible and convenient mentoring opportunities. City employees who are interested may participate in the traditional community-based one-on-one mentoring program, or they may choose the weekly lunchtime mentoring program at two public schools very close to City Hall and nearby government buildings. Next Wednesday, I will have an opportunity to visit one of these mentoring programs at Tench Tilghman Elementary/Middle School in East Baltimore to personally thank mentors and greet students.

I would like to thank all of my colleagues on the City Council for supporting efforts to encourage more of our City's dedicated workforce to get involved. Taking the time to mentor a young person is an immensely rewarding activity with the power to change a child's life. Mentoring our young people is a valuable investment in our city’s future—a better, safer, stronger Baltimore.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

Big Gains For Baltimore City Public Schools on the MSA

Johnston Square Elementary, Morrell Park Elementary/Middle and Sharp-Leadenhall Elementary are three schools bursting with pride after their latest performance on The Maryland School Assessment (MSA). None of these schools made AYP before and they all had been in school improvement status. The 2007-08 Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) data shows that 82 of City Schools’ 152 elementary and middle schools made AYP, compared to 65 of 153 schools last year—a 26 percent increase.

According to the Maryland State Department of Education, more City Schools elementary and middle schools made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP), the rigorous federal mandate than in any other year since 2004. That was the first year the state assessment was used to determine AYP status administered to third-through eighth-graders. "One key factor in the gains is better student attendance. This last year, the kids were there in greater numbers than in the past," said City Schools CEO Dr. Andrés A. Alonso. "Attendance is a simple variable that can have a dramatic impact on achievement for kids and schools."

Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake recently visited Johnston Elementary to share in the school’s stellar achievement.

Adequate Yearly Progress is the federal student achievement standard required under No Child Left Behind, and it reflects the movement of schools toward state standards, measured in Maryland by the Maryland School Assessment.

Send us the good news about your Baltimore City public school!

Do you have an exciting news item on achievements in Baltimore City Public Schools?
Let us know so that we can feature them in the President's SchoolSpot. Call Council President Rawlings-Blake's office at 410-396-4804 or send an e-mail to Marva Williams at marva.williams@baltimorecity.gov

Baltimore City Fire Department Reminds Everyone to be Aware of "The Silent Killer": Carbon Monoxide

The Baltimore City Fire Department would like to remind everyone to have your home heating appliances serviced by a licensed professional to protect your family from the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning. Click the link below to learn about carbon monoxide, the danger signs, how to protect your family and other helpful information.

Dangers of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Presidential Inauguration Update

The Congressional Inauguration Committee has issued an advisory for those interested in attending Swearing-in Ceremonies for President-elect Barack Obama on January 20, 2009. Included are recommendations on getting to the swearing-in ceremonies, street closures, security, and accessibility for people with disabilities. Because of the large crowds and the potential for inclement weather, people with special needs are advised to pay careful attention to these details.

ADVISORY
www.inauguration.dc.gov/pdf/122908_release.pdf

The District of Columbia’s inaugural website will have the most up-to-date information on road closures and other travel alerts.
www.inauguration.dc.gov/index.asp

Baltimore City Inauguration Events

Free Live Viewing of President Obama's Inauguration
Jan. 20, Murphy Fine Arts Center Morgan State University, 2201 Argonne Drive. Doors open at 9:30am and doors will be closed at 11:45am. 443-885-4440.

Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street: "Inauguration Celebration on Harford"
January 20, Harford Road. Join us at restaurants, pubs, cafes and carryouts along Harford Rd. in Lauraville and Hamilton to watch televised inauguration events throughout the day. There will also be an inauguration memorabilia raffle, with the grand prize as a US Flag flown on Capitol on Inauguration Day. For raffle tickets sales locations, donations to HLMS and more information on Inauguration Day events in Hamilton and Lauraville, please visit www.hamiltonlauravillemainstreet.org

City Council This Week

Monday, January 12

Hearing: Highways and Franchises Subcommittee, Sharon Green Middleton – Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0152 City Streets - Opening - Certain Streets Lying Within the Area Bounded by Patterson Avenue - Parr Avenue - Spring Avenue and the CSX Transportation, Inc. Railroad Right-of-Way

10:05 AM
08-0153 City Streets - Closing - Certain Streets or Portions of them Lying Within the Area Bounded by Patterson Avenue, Parr Avenue, Spring Avenue, and the CSX Transportation, Inc. Railroad Right-of-Way

10:10 AM
08-0197 City Streets - Opening - Callendar Street

10:15 AM
08-0198 City Streets - Closing - Callendar Street

10:20 AM
08-0200 City Streets - Closing - A Portion of Baltimore Street

City Council Meeting
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
The Council meeting will be broadcast live on TV25.

Community Events

For a comprehensive listing of events in Baltimore, check the City Council's online events calendar.

Sunday, January 11

Family Free Sundays
Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA), 2pm, sketching tours, hands-on art workshops, gallery tours, and more—designed just for families.

MICA’s Jewelry Center Open House
Noon-2pm, Meadow Mill Center, 3600 Clipper Mill Rd., Meet and check out work by faculty and students. Free.

Monday, January 12

Western High Alumnae Association Meeting
6:30pm, Western High School, learn about alumnae association programs and help create a long range plan for Western’s success.

Tuesday, January 13

Annual Bridal Show
5:30pm-8:30pm, Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Hwy., various vendors and services on display. www.thebmi.org Free.

Upcoming/Ongoing

RecycleMORE BaltiMORE!

Effective January 2009, Baltimore City residents will be able to recycle more items. New items to be included in curbside single stream recycling: wide-mouth plastic containers used for margarine, yogurt, cottage cheese, mayonnaise and sour cream; empty prescription bottles (lids and caps do not need to be removed); plastic drinking cups; aluminum foil and aluminum pie pans; clean milk and juice cartons.

New items to be taken to the citizen drop-off center and placed in container marked "rigid plastics”: rigid plastics which include milk/soda crates, buckets, laundry baskets, lawn furniture, totes, plastic drums, coolers, flower pots, water bottles, pallets, pet carriers, shelving, closet organizers, empty garbage/recycling bins. Info: 410-396-4511 or
www.baltimorecity.gov/government/dpw/recycle/

Christmas Tree Collection - More Mulching Opportunities This Season

DPW will provide Christmas Tree mulching every Saturday during the month of January 2009 at the Citizen Drop-off Center, 701 Reedbird Avenue from 9am until 4pm.
Please bring your own bags or containers if you would like to scoop up some mulch to take back home and use in your yard or garden. While supplies last, community groups are encouraged to come by during this time to also bag up free mulch for neighborhood gardens.

For residents who cannot bring their trees for mulching, DPW will offer curbside tree
collection. From Friday, January 2, 2009 through Saturday, January 31, 2009, trees should be set out on your second trash collection day, which is Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Theyshould be placed in the same location as your trash and put out no later then 7 a.m. on collection day. Remember to remove all tinsel and ornaments from the trees before they are set out for curbside collection or mulching. Only trees brought to Reedbird Avenue will be mulched. For additional information, please call 311.

Cold Weather Tips: Protect Your Pipes

Pipes and utility meters can freeze when the temperature remains below 25 degrees for extended periods of time. The Baltimore City Department of Public Works offers the following tips to help protect water lines during periods of cold weather:

  • Let a thin stream of cold water run from a basement faucet. The stream should be a continuous flow, about the thickness of a pencil. This water can be caught in a bucket or pail to be recycled later as laundry or dish water.
  • If your pipe is frozen, gently warm it with hot air from a blow dryer at the point where it enters your house.
  • Be sure you know the location of the water shutoff valve in your home. Check it periodically to ensure itworks properly.
  • Periodically monitor your sump pump. A frozen drain pipe could result in a flooded basement.
  • Insulate pipes in unheated parts of your house. Be especially alert if you have had frozen pipes in the past.
  • Keep bottled water on hand.

The Department of Public Works maintains outdoor water lines up to and including the meter. Water lines running from the meter to the house, as well as internal plumbing, are the responsibility of the property owner. For water emergencies in Baltimore City, please call 311. If you are outside the City, but in our service area, please call 410-396-5352.

 

Martin Luther King Holiday Events

MLK, Jr. Historical Celebration Concert featuring "105 Voices of History Regional Choir"
Jan. 15, 12pm-12:45pm, City Hall Rotunda. Choir represents students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities in MD, PA, DC, VA, OH and KY. Free and open to the public. Must have a photo ID to enter City Hall. www.hbcuchoirs-105voh.com

Family Festival Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Walters Art Museum, Jan. 19, 10am-4pm, 600 N. Charles St., free performances, studio art activities and gallery tours and more. Free.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy For Change Concert
Jan. 19, 12pm-7pm, Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 3050 Liberty Heights Ave. Music, spoken word, food and more. Persons interested in performing, contact Vernard at 443.982.1091. Free. www.bemojazz.com.

7th Annual MLK Day Job Fair
Jan. 19, St. Frances Academy Community Center, Job Fair 1pm-4pm; job search classes; free continental breakfast , lunch and childcare provided; learn about green job; employers on-hand to hire. 410-539-5794.

MLK "I Have a Dream" Contest for Baltimore City Public School Students
Create an essay, painting, poem or poster about your dream and how it relates to Dr. King’s work. Cash prizes. Deadline is Jan. 15. mlkdaybaltimore@gmail.com

Baltimore Winter Restaurant Week: January 23-February 1, 2009
Enjoy a variety of three-course dinners, in just about any cuisine that strikes your fancy, for only $30.09. Or try three-course lunches at over 85 restaurants for just $20.09. Also this winter, many restaurants will also offer special culinary experiences, such as wine pairings, cooking classes, tasting menus and more. Plus, the savings don't have to stop after dinner. Visit Baltimore.org to find loads of deals and discounts good at area attractions, shops, hotels, and, yes, even more restaurants. Visit www.baltimorerestaurantweek.com to view menus and make reservations.

Herring Run Park and Watershed Master Plan Community Meeting and Planning Charrette, January 26, Archbishop Curley High School - 3701 Sinclair Lane, 6:30pm. The Department of Recreation and Parks, in collaboration with the Department of Public Works, Department of Transportation, Office of Sustainability, Friends of Herring Run Parks, and Morgan State University, is continuing the master plan process for the Herring Run Park Watershed. We invite you to this meeting to continue to share input and to help guide the future of this important park and its associated watershed. Info: 410-396-0690.
Details on agenda and more info

Discussion on Sustainable Urban Development hosted by Urban Land Institute-Baltimore District Council, Jan. 30, 7:30am-10am, Johns Hopkins Downtown Center, 10 N. Charles St., Mayor Dixon and Edward McMahon, a national expert on sustainability are speaking. Register at 1-800-321-5011.

Vendors, volunteers and non-profit organizations are needed for the University of Baltimore’s 2nd Annual Black Heritage Festival, Feb. 14. Information booths, art, music, dance and more are encouraged. Stacie Harris at 443-831-3841

Applications now being accepted for the PNC Bank Neighborhood Grant Program. It provides $220-$1000 in financial aid to qualified neighborhood associations and community based non-profit groups for producing special events that strengthen neighborhoods and engage its residents. Deadline is Feb. 2. 410-752-8632.

Free Day & Evening Adult Basic Education and Literacy Classes, starts Jan. 6, Church of the Redeemed of The Lord Community Outreach Center, 4200 York Rd., 410-433-8878.

Free Job Seeker Classes offered by Enoch Pratt Library’s Herring Run Branch, 3801 Erdman Ave. Classes on job searching, networking, resume writing and interviewing. Begins Jan. 5 and runs throughout January, 6-8 pm. Must pre-register at 410-396-5317.

Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore’s Foreclosure Prevention Program offers emergency bridge loans to victims of predatory or exotic lending, or homeowners hit with emergencies such as illness or unemployment. Eligible low- to moderate-income homeowners can receive up to $5,000 in deferred loans. 410-327-1200.

Community Greening Resource Network (CGRN), sponsored by Parks and People Foundation, is accepting new members. The CGRN is an annual membership program to support community gardens throughout Baltimore City. It provides community-based groups access to material resources (tool, seeds, plants, mulch, and compost) training opportunities (green space planning, organization, and fundraising), and networking opportunities for sharing skills and experience among community greeners. Sarah Krones 410-448-5663.

Registration is underway for Adult Literacy and ESOL Program Classes offered by the Greater Homewood Community Corporation, 3501 N. Charles St., 410-261-3518.

New Conversations/Conversaciones Nuevas, Enoch Pratt’s Southeast Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Ave., Tuesdays at 11am. Practice casual conversation for beginning English and Spanish speakers, 410-396-1580.

Food Assistance provided by Project 100, an initiative of the Baltimore City Housing Community Action Partnership and New Psalmist Baptist Church, to help families with food security for 30 days in order to pay down other bills. It’s for residents of 21217, 21216, 21201, 21223, or 21229 who have children and do not receive food stamps or a utility subsidy from Section 8. 410-396-0893

Baltimore City Community College Launches Accelerated Associates Degree Program for Spring 2009. Baltimore City Community College has a new accelerated program for African American males to earn an Associate of Arts degree in one year. The program is entitled the "Quest." Info: 410-462-7745

Open Minds is Creative Alliance's free book-based after school program. New visual and performing arts courses, including mural painting, photography, music production and breakdancing are beginning at Wolfe Street Academy, Hampstead Hill, Collington Square and with EBLO-Mi Segunda Casa at John Ruhrah. Call Karen Summerville at 410-276-1651.

Conserve energy, save money and protect the environment with BGE’s PeakRewards program. If you have central air conditioning or an electric heat pump, you could save up to 15% year round in energy costs. www.bgesmartenergy.com/peakrewards

Power of Parents and Partners in School (P.O.P.S. Program) is a new program to encourage and address the needs of students who are expecting or parenting teens who have dropped out and want to return to school. Developed by the Laurence G. Paquin School. 410-396-9398/9399.

Baltimore Speaks Out! Program, a great opportunity for children ages 11-15 to learn about video/film production. Offered at Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Herring Run branch, 3810 Erdman Ave. 410-338-0947. Free.