Baltimore City Council website
"Investing Where Baltimore Lives"
February 22, 2008

Dear Friends:

As you may know, the Live Baltimore Home Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting living in Baltimore City. I would like to highlight an important Live Baltimore event: "Greenlight Baltimore," a Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) related relocation fair and tour of Baltimore to be held Saturday, April 12, 2008. The Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process presents an exciting opportunity for Baltimore to attract new residents, and Greenlight Baltimore is designed to showcase the City's neighborhoods and quality of life. This is a free event for individuals and families impacted by BRAC and considering relocation to Maryland in the next two to four years. The day includes complimentary bus transportation from their home areas in New Jersey and Virginia, a fair highlighting our neighborhoods and community organizations, narrated familiarization bus tours of city living opportunities and an afternoon reception.

I would like to encourage community groups, neighborhood associations, and volunteer interest groups throughout the City to participate in the Greenlight Baltimore Community Fair on April 12th from 11:30 am-1:30 pm at the Clarence "Du" Burns Arena, 1301 S. Ellwood Avenue in Canton to showcase your city pride. This is a great opportunity to meet potential new city residents and share what makes Baltimore "Charm City." This fair is only open to non-profit, volunteer and government agencies: for-profit businesses are excluded. Deadline for registration is March 15.

Register for the Community Fair

In addition, prior to Greenlight Baltimore, Live Baltimore is hosting "BRAC 101 for Neighborhoods" an informational event for community organizations, to be held on Tuesday, March 4 from 6:30-7:30 pm at the Clarence "Du" Burns Arena, 1301 S. Ellwood Avenue in Canton. Neighborhood leaders can learn more about the BRAC process, what it means for Baltimore City and your neighborhood, and what Live Baltimore is doing to prepare for BRAC.

Pre-register for the BRAC 101 event

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 City School Student Leaders Chosen To Attend Conference on Equality and Social Justice

Students representing Baltimore City Public High Schools recently attended a conference hosted by The National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME), held at Baltimore's Hyatt Regency Hotel. The conference theme was "Charting the Course to Academic Excellence and Equity through Multicultural Education."

BCPSS student leaders selected for the conference were Samantha Tsang of Western High, Adrienne Hall of Reginald F. Lewis High, Brian Hill of Doris M. Johnson High, Kristina Poteat of Patterson High and Mia Cook of Paul Laurence Dunbar High. Joy Pinder Savage, Assistant Principal at Western High School was their chaperone.

Students participated in workshops designed to foster a greater awareness of diversity through understanding the richness of other ethnic groups and religious practices. Students reported their findings and contributions to the assembly of conference participants which included educators from across the country. David Miller of The Urban Institute led the student workshops and discussions.

The National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) was founded in 1990 to bring together individuals from all academic levels and disciplines and from diverse educational institutions, and other organizations, occupations and communities who had an interest in multicultural education. NAME is committed to a philosophy of inclusion that embraces the basic tenets of democracy and cultural pluralism and celebrates cultural and ethnic diversity as a national strength that enriches a society and rejects the view that diversity threatens the fabric of a society.

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 25, 2008

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

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Hearing: Budget and Appropriations Committee, Bernard C. “Jack” Young – Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
LO08-0005 Informational Hearing - Budget Briefing

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Hearing: Executive Appointments Committee, Robert Curran – Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
EA08-0023 Sandra E. Baker, Esq. Executive Director of the Environmental Control Board of Baltimore City - 13th District

10:30 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
EA08-0021 Joshua M. Sharfstein, M.D. Health Commissioner for Baltimore City - 5th District
 
11:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
EA08-0022 Deborah F. Moore-Carter Labor Commissioner for Baltimore City - 7th District

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Hearing: Education/Budget and Appropriations Committee
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
LO08-0006 Informational Hearing - Experience Corps Program

Community Events

MTA Bus Route Modifications Take Effect Sunday, February 17

Effective February 17, 2008 MTA has made route modifications to 10 local bus lines throughout the Baltimore Region. In addition, a new line, the No. 6, has been initiated and the M-9 has been replaced with the Nos. 56 and 59 Lines. New timetables have been issued for the following Local Bus Lines: 3, 11, 16, 27, 36, 55, 61, 77, and 98 (Hampden Shuttle).

Also, the Light Rail Yellow Line (Timonium to Cromwell Station/Glen Burnie) is now making all weekday off-peak and weekend/holiday trips to Hunt Valley.

In addition, new timetables have been issued on the following lines to reflect schedule changes effective February 17, 2008:
Local Bus Lines: 5, 7, 10, 17, 20, 23, 35 and Light Rail.

The new timetables are now available online at www.mtamaryland.com. They will soon be available at MTA's Downtown Transit Store and at regular timetable distribution points. Riders can also request that timetables be mailed to them by calling 410-539-5000.

AMERICAN CRAFT SHOW - FEBRUARY 22-24
Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St. 10am-9pm Friday, 10am-6pm Saturday, 10am-5pm Sunday. More than 700 of the country's leading craft artists present their latest hiqh-quality, handmade work to the public - at the American Craft Baltimore Show - the largest juried, indoor craft show in the nation. $14, 2-day pass $20, children 12 and under and American Craft Council members free. 410-649-7000 or www.craftcouncil.org/baltimore

Friday, February 22

Baltimore City Teen Night
Walter P. Carter Recreation Center, 820 E. 43rd St., 410-396-6217, 8pm-midnight
Participate in fun and safe activities designed for teens, by teens. Enjoy music, dancing, games, fashion shows and more. Free and open to teenagers 14-17.

Saturday, February 23

Baltimore's Grand Opening of CakeLove Bakery
The Flagship Building at The Can Company, 2500 Boston Street, Suite 4B, 1pm-4pm. Strawberry Shortcake, Mocha Dream, Cynthia's Sin, and My Downfall are just a few of the decadent desserts scheduled to be showcased when renowned chef Warren Brown, owner of nationally acclaimed bakery, CakeLove, officially opens his newest store in Baltimore. The event is free and open to the public. Free samples and tastings throughout the day. For more information, visit CakeLove online at www.cakelove.com.

Sunday, February 24

From The Heart: An Afternoon of Health Education for the Entire Family
The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, 830 E. Pratt St., 2pm-5pm. Healthy cooking demonstrations by Timothy Dean's Bistro, Classic Catering and J.D. Ward, a musical tribute to the memory of jazz legend Ruby Glover, children's activities and more. Free. 1-800-492-5538 Sponsored by University of MD Medical Systems.

Tuesday, February 26

Sister to Sister National Woman's Heart Day Health Fair
Baltimore Convention Center, One West Pratt Street, 8:00am-3:00pm. Get free heart health screening with on-the-spot results and counseling. To pre-register online go to www.sistertosister.org or call 1-888-718-8033.

TransForm Baltimore: The Zoning Code Rewrite
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane, 6pm-8pm. The City of Baltimore Department of Planning invites you to a Community Open House 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. For more information, call 410-396-PLAN or plan@baltimorecity.gov.

Wednesday, February 27

Baltimore City Energy Assistance Expo
Mount Pleasant Church and Ministries, 6000 Radecke Ave., Noon-6pm. Information: 410-470-7433.

Baltimore Speakers Series: Salman Rushdie
Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, Cathedral and Preston Streets, 8pm. The world-renowned author of The Satanic Verses comes to the Meyerhoff courtesy of Villa Julie College. For ticket information call 410-783-8000. www.baltimorespeakerseries.com

Upcoming/Ongoing

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.

Black History Month Top of the World Art Exhibition
World Trade Center, 27th floor, Top of the World Observation Level. Featuring paintings and sculptures of local artists. The exhibit will be on display from February 2-February 29. 410-837-VIEW.

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, Heart & Soul Magazine and hosts 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.

100 Black Men of Maryland's "A Night of Music and Art," Feb. 23, 8pm-midnight, Eubie Blake Center, 847 N. Howard St., $20, partial proceeds benefit organization, 443-831-5824.

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. Tickets at www.missiontix.com More information at www.myspace.com/LegacyFilmFestival or call 443-263-1831.

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.

United Black Fund of America Launches "Ending The Violence" Essay Contest
Youth ages 14-18 are encouraged to submit essays answering these questions:

  • What are the causes of violence in your community?
  • What is your strategy for managing or eliminating those causes?
  • What steps do you take to implement your strategy?

The winner will receive a $1000 cash award, and follow up discussion groups will be televised for a national campaign. Help us start the talk about community violence! Send your essay to:
United Black Fund of America, Ending The Violence Essay Contest, 2500 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20020. Deadline for entries is April 4, 2008. For more information (202) 783-9300 or www.ubfinc.org

Eye on CASA Focus on Kids: CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Baltimore Celebrity Camera Auction Council President Rawlings-Blake and 30 other Baltimore celebrities have taken a roll of pictures on a disposable camera provided by CASA of Baltimore. The cameras will be auctioned on eBay to help raise money for support and advocacy for abused and neglected children of Baltimore. For more information on how you can participate call 410-244-1465 or visit www.casabalt.org

Film "Revolution '67": Screening and Panel Discussion
March 2, Legacy Film Festival, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, 830 E. Pratt Street, 2 p.m.
Revolution ‘67 is an illuminating account of the black urban rebellions of the 1960s. Focusing on the six-day Newark, New Jersey outbreak in mid-July, Revolution ‘67 reveals how the disturbance began as spontaneous revolts against poverty and police brutality and ended as fateful milestones in America's struggles over racial justice. For more information, please visit www.civicframe.org or call 410.377.5985.

Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School To all families interested in enrolling their child (age 3-9) in for 2008-2009 School Year, informational meetings will be held at St. Mark's Church, 1900 St. Paul Street on the following dates:

  • Saturday, February 23, 10 am
  • Wednesday, February 27, 7 pm
  • Saturday, March 8, 10 am

For more information and applications, please visit www.baltimoremontessoriinc.com

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

Western High School Classes of 1968, 1979, 1987 and 1988 are planning their class reunions. Email publicity@whsaainc.org for more details.

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

The Bar Association of Baltimore City is pleased to offer its Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) to the general public. This service features a panel of attorneys who provide a wide range of legal assistance ranging from Asbestos to Worker's Compensation. Those referred to private attorneys will be able to receive a reduced fee half-hour consultation, which is waived for certain case types. This service also occasionally features volunteer attorneys who are able to answer basic legal questions over telephone for no charge. For those who qualify, the LRIS also offers reduced fee legal services for the elderly. For more information call 410-539-3112 between 9:00am and 4:00pm Monday-Friday, or email info@baltimorebar.org.

Baltimore CASH Campaign: 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 are 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.