Dear Friends:

Coverage of Council Resolution on FOX Business Network

On Monday, I introduced a City Council Resolution calling for an investigative hearing into Police, Fire and City employee pensions. The City Council will review the investment policy guidelines of employee pension systems to explore ways to better protect city pensions from fraud. The resolution also requests an update on efforts by the city pension boards to allow more local and minority firms to manage pension investments.

Last week, the Baltimore Sun reported that the Fire and Police Employees' Retirement System "lost $3.5 million in pension money invested in a fund with ties to disgraced money manager Bernard L. Madoff." The fund was among many public and private institutional investment funds that were hit by the $50 billion Ponzi scheme, raising significant questions about investment policy guidelines of public pension systems.

Pension funds lose investment returns from time to time due to poor market performance: it's the nature of investing. What is not acceptable is for a public pension fund to lose value as a result of theft, fraud or abuse. Unfortunately, that's what happened in this case.

The $3.5 million loss sustained by Baltimore's Fire and Police pension was relatively small when compared to the overall size of the fund, which is roughly $1.5 billion. However, we need to do what we can to ensure that this doesn't happen again. I will never accept the premise that theft from public pension funds is unavoidable.

We are not going to predetermine the outcome of the oversight hearing, but we will be looking very closely at the growing use of alternative investment strategies by public pension funds. This is a case where the public, especially our dedicated city employees, firefighters and police officers could benefit from a public hearing to review the facts.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

City Council This Week

Wednesday, January 21

Hearing: Community Development Subcommittee, William Cole – Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0043R Program Request - RPP "Lite" Program

5:00 PM
08-0112 Late-Night Commercial Operations - Licensing
This hearing will be broadcast live on TV25.

Thursday, January 22

Hearing: Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee, William Cole – Acting Chair
10:30 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0049R A Request for Constructive Change - Budgeting for Outcomes

11:00 AM
08-0136 Sale of Property - Map 96 Parcel 340, Baltimore County, Maryland
CANCELLED - TO BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE

11:10 AM
08-0148 Sale of Property - 121 North Greene Street

11:20 AM
08-0149 Sale of Property - 101 South Ellwood Avenue
CANCELLED

11:30 AM
08-0192 Sale of Properties - 916, 1016, and 1018 North Arlington Avenue

12:00 PM
08-0037R Investigative Hearing - Foreclosures - Impact on Baltimore City

Hearing: Education Committee, Mary Pat Clarke – Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0084R Allowing Students To Use MTA Bus Tickets and Transfers Until 8:00 P.M.
Follow-up Roundtable Discussion

Community Events

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

January 15-17

13th Annual Basketball Academy
Morgan State University. A partnership of educational and athletic programs between City Schools, 100 Black Men and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. $10/day. 410-396-8569.

Saturday, January 17

President-Elect Obama Visits Baltimore Saturday, January 17, 2009 Gates open at 1:00 pm at Baltimore Street and Guilford Avenue Program begins at 4:15 p.m. War Memorial Plaza, 101 N. Gay St. TRAFFIC ADVISORY Space will be extremely limited at the War Memorial Plaza. All attendees must enter the War Memorial Plaza area at the Baltimore Street and Guilford Avenue entry point. All people entering the event will be searched as a security precaution. Attendees are strongly encouraged to use public transportation, such as MTA buses, the Metro Subway or Light Rail instead of driving. MTA will not enter areas bounded by MLK Boulevard, Broadway, Madison Avenue and Lombard Street affecting 18 bus routes. Buses will run around the event perimeter. Metro riders should use the Charles Center Station. The Shot Tower Station will be closed. Transit schedules and additional information are available by calling the MTA at (410) 539-5000. Those who drive should enter the city from the south, southeast or southwest. There will be multiple road closures and several parking garages close to the event location that will not be accessible. Parking is available at the stadium lots and other garages generally west of St. Paul and Light Streets. Bicycle parking will be provided at the surface parking lot at Light and Redwood Streets. The ADA drop-off point to the event will be at Calvert and Redwood Streets. For additional information, call MTA at (410) 539-5000. Parking will be restricted in most areas around the event. Please pay close attention to posted signs. St. Paul Street in Mt. Vernon will be closed and no parking from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Towing will be in effect. If your car is towed, call 311 or simply proceed to the Fallsway Edison Lot. Temperatures on the afternoon of January 17 are expected to be well below freezing. Individuals planning on attending the event are strongly advised to wear clothing appropriate for spending hours in cold weather. In severely cold weather, children, seniors and those with disabilities are more vulnerable to hypothermia. They should be monitored closely. People are encouraged to bring water as well as lunch, snacks and medications.

Sunday, January 18

Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North
Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St., 4:30pm-6:30pm. Documentary screening by filmmaker Katrina Browne, who discovered that her New England relatives were the largest slave traders in US History. She and nine relatives retrace the Triangular Trade. Panel discussion and refreshments. Space is limited. RSVP: 443-263-1875. Free.

Monday, January 19

Martin Luther King Holiday Events Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade State Office Complex, Eutaw and Preston Streets, 12 noon. The parade will travel southbound along Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard to Baltimore Street where it will disband. TRAFFIC AND PARKING ADVISORY Family Festival Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., 10am-4pm. Free performances, studio art activities and gallery tours and more. Free. The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum presents The President Barack Obama Wax Figure Unveiling Ceremony, Morgan State University’s Gilliam Concert Hall, 11am. $15-$50. Octavia Pratt at opratt@greatblacksinwaxmuseum.org. 410-563-3404. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Free Day American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, 10am-6pm. Free. www.avam.org Fulfillment of the Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration 10am-5pm, Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St. film, storytelling, crafts and more. Free. 443-263-1875. www.africanamericanculture.org Martin Luther King, Jr. Legacy For Change Concert Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 3050 Liberty Heights Ave., 12pm-7pm. Music, spoken word, food and more. Free. www.bemojazz.com. 7th Annual MLK Day Job Fair St. Frances Academy Community Center, 501 E. Chase St., 1pm-4pm. Job Fair includes job search classes. Free continental breakfast, lunch and childcare provided. Learn about green jobs. Employers will be on-hand to hire. 410-539-5794.

Tuesday, January 20

Presidential Inauguration Day Events 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. www.inauguration.dc.gov Baltimore City Inauguration Events Presidential Inauguration Viewing at the Baltimore Convention Center Baltimore Convention Center, One West Pratt Street, Doors open at 10 am, Program begins at 11 am. Join Marc Clarke formerly of 92Q to view the 44th Presidential Inauguration. Featuring Baltimore's own Paula Campbell and other local talent. Celebrate history in the making with family and friends. Pay tribute to the nation's first African American president, Barack Obama. This event is FREE and open to the public. Info: 410-396-7900 or www.baltimorecity.gov Inauguration Viewing at the Maryland Science Center Maryland Science Center, 601 Light St. Watch the inauguration at the Science Center's MSC Theater. Included with regular admission ($4-$18.50). Info: www.mdsci.org or 410-685-5225. Free Live Viewing of President Obama's Inauguration 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. Enoch Pratt Library’s Central Branch, 10:30am, 400 Cathedral St. Free. Senator Theatre, 11am-1pm, 5904 York Rd. Free. 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

The Gospel According to the Jews
Bnai Israel Synagogue, 27 Lloyd St., 7:15pm-9pm, Class discussing the origins of Judaism. Free. Jewishdowntown.org 410-732-5454.

Wednesday, January 21

Genealogy 101
Enoch Pratt Library-Brooklyn Branch, 300 E. Patapsco Ave., 3:30pm. 410-396-1120. 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.

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.

"The Civil Rights Century: The NAACP at 100," Feb. 6-7, JHU, a 2-day event with a keynote by Kweisi Mfume on Feb. 6, 7pm, Shriver Auditorium; on Feb. 7, 9am-5pm, Charles Commons, an address by historian David Levering Lewis, panel discussions and more, e future of the NAACP at Charles Commons on 410-516-6385. Free.

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.