Baltimore City Council website
"Investing Where Baltimore Lives"
February 1, 2008

Dear Friends:

As we begin Black History Month, it is an appropriate time to highlight a new initiative aimed at revitalizing Baltimore by growing a large black middle class in the City. African Americans make up nearly two-thirds of Baltimore’s population, so any effort to target our black middle class will have the greatest impact on the city and the region. The initiative, called "More in the Middle" focuses on three objectives:

· Retain existing middle class residents
· Growing middle class residents from low-income residents
· Attracting new middle class residents from outside the City.

Baltimore has a wealth of public and private organizations, and it is crucial that we mobilize that strength, and collaborate to ensure Baltimore’s future economic growth and stability. The More in the Middle Initiative recommends boosting homeownership rates and values, increasing educational attainment, and reducing unemployment rates, which run at 14 percent among the city’s black population and 5 percent among whites. According to data from the Baltimore Neighborhood Indicators Alliance at the University of Baltimore, 64 percent of Baltimore City residents are black, but only 11 percent of city residents are middle-class blacks, defined as making $35,000 to $75,000 per year. In addition, BNIA data shows that only 1 percent of blacks in Baltimore City earn more than $75,000 per year.

As we embark on this ambitious effort, we move ever closer of the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King and so many others of equal opportunity for all. If we close the wealth gap between African American community and other groups in the city the objectives of this initiative will benefit the city and regional economy, improving the lives of all Baltimore residents.

For more information on the More in the Middle Initiative, please visit the Associated Black Charities website at www.abc-md.org or call 410-659-0000 or toll-free at 1-888-450-5836.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

Each week in the President's SchoolSpot,
Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake highlights the outstanding accomplishments of Baltimore City Schools students and staff.

Baltimore Scholars Program Names Its First Charter School Recipient

Congratulations to Paul DiMatteo, a high school senior at the Academy for College and Career Exploration (ACCE). He has been named a Johns Hopkins University Baltimore Scholar, making him the first charter school student to receive the award. The Baltimore Scholars Program covers full-time undergraduate tuition at JHU. It is one of the university’s most prestigious scholarships. Currently, DiMatteo has a 4.120 grade point average on a 4.0 scale. "Paul has shown initiative by applying and participating in the Johns Hopkins Biotech Program during the summer of his 9th grade year. He also has been able to balance work and school by maintaining the highest level of academic honors throughout his high school career," said ACCE Academic Advisor Jennifer Reed. About 60 Baltimore City Public School System graduates are now Baltimore Scholars. The program began in the fall of 2005. JHU officials implemented the program to attract the best and brightest students from the city's public schools to the university.

Baltimore City Public School students To Participate in Lexington Market’s Black History Month Celebration

As part of the Black History Month Celebration at Lexington Market, hundreds of students will be a part of the monthlong event, "Music, Dance, Art And Education At The Market." Students from various elementary, middle and high schools will enjoy a motivational talk from a special guest, then give a special performance before the lunchtime crowd. The school performances are Monday through Friday, noon to 1pm. For a list of the school performances, check their website.

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 mwilliams@baltimorecitycouncil.com.

City Council This Week

Monday, February 4, 2008

Mayor's State of the City Address
3:30 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall

City Council Meeting
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
The Council meeting will be broadcast live on Cable TV 25.
Draft agenda

Community Events

Baltimore Winter Restaurant Week:
January 28-February 3
It was a hit in the Summer of '06. It was an even bigger hit in the Summer of '07. Now the culinary extravaganza that is Baltimore Restaurant Week makes its Winter debut. Enjoy specially selected three-course dinner menus for just $30.08. Some restaurants also offer a three-course lunch for $20.08.
www.baltimorerestaurantweek.com

Saturday, February 2

Homebuyers Expo sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Delta Challenger Homeownership Initiative, 9am- 3pm, M&T Bank Stadium, 1101 Russell St., Club Level. Topics include Foreclosure Prevention, Homeowners Insurance, and Disabled Buyer Purchase & Home Modification. Free admission, Register at 1-888-596-6123, Option 5 or visit www.deltachallenge.com/MD_DC.html. Registration begins at 9:00 AM.

2008 Miss Greater Baltimore Scholarship Pageant
Sheppard Pratt Health System, 6501 N. Charles St. 6:30pm www.sheppardpratt.org, $15
410-938-3900

The Baltimore Bridal Show
Sat. 5pm-9pm; Sun. 11am-4pm, Baltimore Convention Center. www.baltimorebridalshow.com

Tuesday, February 5

Urban Economic Reclamation Project
Greater Harvest Baptist Church, W. Saratoga and Gilmore Streets, 6:30pm
the Black United Fund of Greater Maryland focuses on "building community businesses
one corner at a time." www.nbuf.org 410-947-4942

Volunteer Cafe
Station North Arts Cafe Gallery,1816 N. Charles St., 6pm
410-625-6440, www.stationnortharts.com

Wednesday, February 6

Culture Shock
Tasti Pot, 1417-19 E. Fayette St., 7:30-10pm
An open forum for poets, singers, rappers, and spoken word artists. $3 for artists who wish to perform. 443-220-0180.

Thursday, February 7

Eubie Blake’s 125th Birthday Celebration
Eubie Blake Cultural Center, 847 N. Howard St., 7pm-10pm, 410-225-3130.

Upcoming/Ongoing

Black History Month Top of the World Art Exhibition Opening Reception
Saturday, February 2, World Trade Center, 27th floor, Top of the World Observation Level, 6:30pm Featuring paintings and sculptures of local artists and music by jazz trio One Accord. The exhibit will be on display from February 2-February 29. 410-837-VIEW.

Ben Carson, M.D. - an original play
Feb. 5, 6, 8, two shows each day 9:30am and 11:30am
Doris M. Johnson High School (formerly Lake Clifton-Eastern HS), 2801 St. Lo Street.
An original production presented by the Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts.
The inspiring story of how one man overcame the odds by staying in school, working hard and believing in himself. These performances are presented at no cost for students of the Baltimore City Public School System. 410-381-0700 or email info@CCTArts.com

13th Annual Black Heritage Art Show, Feb. 15-17, Baltimore Convention Center, 410-340-7089. www.blackheritageartshow.com

Mayor Sheila Dixon’s "It Takes a Village" Black History Month Celebration
Saturday, February 16, 2008, 2:00pm - 6:00pm, Baltimore City War Memorial, 101 N. Gay St. The event will include performances, poetry readings, and vendors, hosted by local actress Maria Broom and Marc Clarke, host of 92Q’s Big Fat Morning Show. The event will close with a keynote speech and discussion with world renowned Johns Hopkins neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson.
More information on Mayor Dixon's Black History Month Celebration

Black History is No Mystery Expo
Saturday, February 23, Sojourner Douglass College, 200 N. Central Ave., 9am to 5pm. Sponsored by Project Millions More Movement Baltimore and Heart & Soul Magazine and hosted by the Mooney Twins. The Expo features exhibits highlighting health, wealth and wisdom; free health screenings, Fitness Expo, African dance, children’s entertainment, poetry readings, and over 20 vendors. For vendor registration and more information call 410-547-8019.

2008 Legacy Film Festival March 1-2, 2008, The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture. Baltimore's premier film festival celebrating contributions, talent and stories of people of color while encouraging conversations within the community. Panelists include Marla Gibbs, Karen Malina White, Marylou Tibaldo-Bongiorno, Jerome Bongiorno, Dante James, Sandi Daniels and Angela Gibbs. More information at www.myspace.com/LegacyFilmFestival or call 443-263-1831.

Black History Month Celebration at Lexington Market. Each day throughout February, enjoy performances by Baltimore City Public School students, noon-1pm, exhibits and special features, 10am-4pm and live band shows on Saturdays, noon-2pm. Free. www.lexingtonmarket.com 410-685-6169.

Fridays at the Walters celebrates Black History Month. Feb. 15, 22 and 29. Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., 5-8pm. Enjoy exciting live music and special guided tours and more. Free, but there’s a fee for the mini-course, Three African-American Artists At The Walters: Bannister, Lewis and Tanner. www.thewalters.org 410-547-9000.

 

TransForm Baltimore: The Zoning Code Rewrite

The City of Baltimore Department of Planning invites you to its Community Open Houses to learn more about TransForm Baltimore: The Zoning Code Rewrite, the ongoing process, and how you can get involved to help craft a vision for the future development of Baltimore City. TransForm Baltimore Community Open Houses are:

Wednesday, February 13
Dept. of Planning, 417 E. Fayette St., 8th floor, 12pm-1:30pm

Saturday, February 16
Southeast Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Ave., 11am-1pm

Tuesday, February 26
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane, 6pm-8pm.

For more information, call 410-396-PLAN or plan@baltimorecity.gov.

Sandwich, Love & Letters Day, Feb. 8, 12pm-5pm, The Mustard and Seed Salon and Boutique for Kids, 2116 N. Charles St., Come out and make sandwiches for the homeless and write letters to be sent to the troops in Iraq. 410-727-1201.

Patterson Park Public Charter School announces Open Enrollment for the 2008-2009 school year, Jan. 22-March 20. Open enrollment for kindergarten. Limited space for first through seventh grades. 27 N. Lakewood Ave. 410-558-1230 www.pppcs.org

Kickball League of Baltimore Begins Spring Signup: Adult Co-ed kickball with divisions in Federal Hill and Canton. Games are played on Wednesday nights, spring season starts March 12th For more information www.kickball-baltimore.com

Winterfest 2008: A Celebration of Diversity, February 17, 1-5pm Northwestern High School, 6900 Park Heights Ave. Arts and crafts, entertainment, free giveaways, local vendors, refreshments, book fair. Sponsored by Neighborhood Associations of Park Heights, Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods, Jewish Community Center of Greater Baltimore. Contact Derrick Lennon at 410-365-3792 or derricklennon@myglen.org.

Baltimore Healthcare Access, Inc. is announcing a new initiative to protect the health and well-being of city residents. Through this initiative, city residents can call 311 for screening and referral to a range of health insurance programs and low-cost healthcare options. www.bhca.org

Free Community Tax Preparation
Families and individuals can have their taxes prepared for free at one of more than 13 CASH Campaign locations in the City. Qualifying families and individuals can claim the Earned Income Tax Credit and other valuable tax credits. Call for an appointment at 410-234-8008.
www.baltimorecashcampaign.org

Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service provides free representation to low-income individuals with IRS tax disputes, including denial of earned income tax credit, IRS audits, filing back taxes, and setting up payment plans. Call 410-547-6537 between 9 am-1 pm, Monday-Thursday.

Also, small community-based nonprofits working to strengthen low income communities are eligible for pro bono legal help from the Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service Community Development Project. Get help with reviewing contracts, negotiating leases, preparing employee manuals, and many other legal issues. Call 443-451-4064 or email jocarol@mvlslaw.org

The Guardian Angels recruiting new members. Recruits must be 16 and older. The three-month training includes classes in conflict resolution, defensive martial arts, first aid and a law class. Call 410-353-9472.

Money Power Day '08
Feb. 16, 10am-3pm, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane. Money Power Day is a FREE annual event providing Baltimore City residents and workers with quality financial services like free tax preparation, free credit report, customized financial planning, housing counseling, credit counseling. Find out more and register at www.moneypowerday.org