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Dear Friends:

Last year, homicides were reduced to the lowest level since the 1980s—the steepest one-year decline in more than forty years. This was hard-won progress, thanks to the efforts of city police, prosecutors and countless committed citizens in Baltimore's neighborhoods.

This week, I introduced a City Council Resolution to examine the impact of police overtime reductions on the City's crime fighting efforts. In November, budget cuts were ordered for all city agencies, including $21 million for the Police Department for this fiscal year. Sadly, in recent months, killings have increased and our progress has been threatened.

As we approach budget season, we must ask ourselves whether the Police Department can continue to sustain deep budget cuts without having a negative impact on our crime fighting efforts. It is my hope that an oversight hearing will give us some idea if there is any correlation between the police budget cuts and the recent increase in homicides. Baltimore's public safety is a top priority, and it is vital that we do not shortchange our budgetary priorities during these difficult economic times.

I believe the recently approved federal stimulus package could be used to help offset potential cuts to Baltimore's crime fighting programs. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides $2 billion for state and local law enforcement and another $1 billion through the U.S. Justice Department's COPS program. In the coming days, I will be working closely with Governor O'Malley and Mayor Dixon to create a comprehensive strategy to use the local law enforcement funds included in the stimulus package to bolster our crime fighting efforts.

In a separate resolution introduced this week, I requested the Baltimore Police Commissioner to report to the City Council on the status of the CCTV camera program and the performance measures in place for monitoring its effectiveness. I also expressed support for a proposal to begin a redistricting process for city police district boundaries. I'm pleased that Mayor Dixon and Commissioner Bealefeld have taken the suggestions of City Council members to heart, and are now ready to move forward. This is a great opportunity to look for ways to better distribute public safety resources.

During this period of great economic uncertainty, it is more important than ever that we continue to invest in, and protect our priorities. Baltimore's future rests on our ability to continue to make progress in public safety and public education.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

City Council This Week

Tuesday, February 17

Hearing: Public Safety and Health Committee, Bernard C. “Jack” Young – Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0231 Health - Smoking On or Adjacent to Hospital Premises
09-0271 Tobacco Products - Unpackaged Cigarettes or Cigars

Wednesday, February 18

Hearing: Executive Appointments Committee, Robert Curran – Chair
10:30 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
EA09-0161 Thomas J. Stosur, Director - Department of Planning - 14th District

Hearing: Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee, Helen Holton – Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
09-0263 Tax Credits - Historic Restorations and Rehabilitations

Hearing: Land Use and Transportation Committee, Edward Reisinger – Chair
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0018 Maritime Industrial Overlay District - Extending "Sunset" - Owner Opt-Out
This hearing will be broadcast live on TV25. (A 2nd hearing will be held on March 9, 2009.)

Thursday, February 19

Hearing: Education Committee, Mary Pat Clarke – Chair
4:00 PM Reeves Conference Room, 4th floor, City Hall
LO09-0040 Summer Learning Roundtable Discussion

Hearing: Labor Subcommittee, Robert Curran – Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0083R In Support of B-More United
Comment Period

Community Events

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

Friday, February 13

Little Miss Sweetheart Pageant
Violetville Recreation Center, 3450 Violetville Lane, 6:30pm. Free.

Sweeties on the Bay Dance
Curtis Bay Recreation Center, 1630 Filbert St., 6:45pm-8:45pm. Dance and fellowship for guests 7-13 years old. 410-396-1811. Free.

February 13-15

BSO Conductor Marion Alsop and Tap Dance Sensation Savion Glover
Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hal, 1212 Cathedral St. Bringing you a fresh, new take on the classics. www.bsomusic.org

2009 COP Grants are available. The Citizens on Patrol (COP) Community Grants Program allows organizations to apply for up to $2,000 to purchase equipment, supplies and other items that will support the work of the COP. Grant applications available at www.baltimorecity.gov. Deadline is Feb. 27. Elise Odell 443-984-2372.

Saturday, February 14

Woman to Woman, Heart to Heart
St. Agnes Hospital, Alagia Auditorium, 900 Caton Ave., 8am-4pm. A heart health seminar sponsored by The MidAtlantic Cardiovascular Foundation, with talks on stroke and heart disease and screenings for cholesterol, blood pressure and body mass index. Free, but required registration at yourhearthealth@midatlanticcardio.com or 410-825-2372.

Sunday, February 15

Winterfest 2009: "A Celebration of Diversity"
Northwestern Senior High School, 6900 Park Heights Ave., 2-5pm. A family event with music, arts and crafts, sports, home classes and more. Free. 410-365-3792.

College Goal Sunday
Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) Dundalk campus, 2-4pm. A one-day event to help students and families complete FAFSA, the application for college financial aid. Mark Gay at mgay@ccbcmd.edu.

Dancing Through South Africa with the Lesole’s Dance Project
Enoch Pratt Central Library, 400 Cathedral St., 2pm. Zulu, gumboot and street dances will be performed. Free.

Largely Ludwig Chamber Ensemble
First Unitarian Church of Baltimore (Charles & Franklin Sts.), 1:30pm. A concert of romantic works by Beethoven, Schumann, and Chopin. The Chamber Ensemble includes current and former Peabody Conservatory faculty. Part of First Unitarian's 2008-2009 Cultural Series. Free. www.firstunitarian.net/calendar.asp.

Baltimore City Public Schools Dance Symposium
Western High School, 4600 Falls Rd., 3pm. Competition featuring teams from local schools. $3-$5 admission fee. 410-396-8610.

BMA Family Free Sundays
2pm, enjoy different activities such as sketching tours, hands-on workshops, gallery tours and more. This week’s theme is African Inspirations. www.artbma.org

Monday, February 16

PRESIDENT'S DAY - CITY HOLIDAY: No municipal trash collection, parking meters in effect.

President’s Day Skate
Feb. 16, 12pm-2pm, Mt. Pleasant Ice Arena, 6101 Hillen Rd., $4 admission; $2 skate rental. 443-984-4075.

University of Baltimore’s Black Heritage Festival, Feb. 14, 11am-6pm. Enjoy poetry, dance, music, step shows, a book fair, face painting, arts and crafts, tips on healthy lifestyles, fitness, diabetes and AIDS awareness and more. Info: renee.presha@ubalt.edu African American Arts Festival, Feb. 23-25, University of Baltimore Student Center Performing Arts Theater, 21 W. Mt. Royal Ave., 5th floor. Free. www.ubalt.edu/studentcenter Celebrate Black History Month at the Top of the World Observation Level, 27th floor of Baltimore’s World Trade Center, 401 E. Pratt St., runs through March. 1. Enjoy historic Black Baltimore memorabilia from Philip J. Merrill of Nanny Jack & Co. Admission fee. www.viewbaltimore.org. 410-837-VIEW. Lexington Market’s Black History Month Celebration features free concert series daily (except Sundays) all month long. Enjoy narrated skits and dances based on African, Caribbean, jazz, blues, gospel, or big band swing/jazz themes and exhibits from Great Blacks in Wax, African-American authors, crafters and a special presentation from the Buffalo Soldiers in full uniform.

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/ 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.

Reduced adoption fees at the Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS), through Feb. 28, adoption fee is $40, normal fee is $65. Adoption fees include spaying and neutering, rabies & DHLPP vaccinations, Felv testing for cats and kittens and more services. 410-396-4695. www.baltimoreanimalshelter.org.

10th Minority Business Summit, Feb. 19-20, The Baltimore Hilton, 401 W. Pratt St. 410-235-4427 www.minoritybusinesssummit.com

New Laws Begin to Reduce Barriers for Ex-Offenders: Expungement & Child Support Incentives, a forum presented by The Job Opportunities Task Force, Feb. 20, 1pm-2:30pm,
Douglass-Myers Maritime Park and Museum, 1417 Thames St. Pre-register to jessica@jotf.org or 410-234-8040.

Free Fundraising Workshop, Feb. 21, 9am-1:30pm, Morgan State University Clarence Mitchell Engineering Building Library. Understand core principles of fundraising and develop winning proposals, etc. Register at http://iur.morgan.edu

Women’s Heart Health Fair, Feb. 24, 8am-4pm, Baltimore Convention Center, Hall A. Free heart disease screenings with immediate results, fitness & cooking demonstrations and more. 410-616-8943. sister2sister.org

Dr. Maya Angelou to speak at UB School of Law’s 2009 Feminist Legal Theory and Feminism Conference, Mar. 6, 6pm, The Lyric Theatre. The conference explores the concrete ways in which feminist legal theory is (or is not) changing the law. Free. Must pre-register at http://law.ubalt.edu/template.cfm?page=931

Volunteers Needed to Help Rebuild the Playground at Stadium Place. The project will take place May 5-10. Also, need help with office work, publicity, recruiting volunteers, etc. Contact the Greater Homewood Community Corporation at 443-756-6198 or friendsofourplayground@gmail.com.

Survivors Against Violence Everywhere (SAVE) is offering a $1000 scholarship to a graduating Baltimore City public high school senior who has lost an immediate family member to homicide. Deadline is April 3. For details, contact Robin Singletary Haskins at 410-361-9301.

Registration is underway for 2009 Northwood Baseball League. Every Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm & every Saturday 11:30am-2:30pm, Morgan State University’s Montebello Complex, Room 124, 2201 Argonne Dr. 410-444-4872.

Registration is underway for Spring 2009 Forest Park Neighborhood Football League, for youth players, 5-15, Call Coach Quinton at 443-744-6346 or Coach Curtis at 443-506-9985. fplittleleaguer@aol.com

Free Tax Prep Clinics hosted by The Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Service through March 7. 12pm-5pm Wednesdays; 9am-2pm Saturdays. Various city locations. For wage earners making $26,000 or less. Call for an appointment 410-234-8008.

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.

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. 410-396-089320

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.