Baltimore City Council website
"Investing Where Baltimore Lives"
February 29, 2008

Dear Friends:

This week I had the privilege of hosting Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Music Director Marin Alsop at a reception at City Hall. The 2007-2008 season is Maestra Alsop's inaugural season as the BSO Music Director. She was appointed in July 2005, earning her the distinction of being the first female music director to lead a major U.S. orchestra. Alsop was joined by Joseph Young, who was chosen as the first conductor in the BSO-Peabody Conducting Fellows program, a collaborative project that offers conductors in the early stages of their careers an opportunity to hone their skills before assuming a role with a professional orchestra. It’s exciting to see that Maestra Alsop is taking a leading role in educating and mentoring the next generation of conductors.

At their best, conductors are great storytellers, and Marin Alsop is one of the best. If you have never seen your hometown orchestra, or if you haven’t seen them lately, you should check out their excellent website, www.BSOmusic.org. It features Marin Alsop in videos where she gives commentary on the classical repertoire, making it more accessible and less intimidating. The BSO under Marin Alsop is looking to the future, building new audiences with creative programming mixing work of modern composers with the traditional classical repertoire.

I am committed to actively promoting Baltimore’s outstanding arts and cultural resources, and I feel that they are often unsung and taken for granted, even by those of us who live and work here. I applaud The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra for its fresh approach to outreach, and see great potential in their community partnerships. The coming season features collaborations with the Morgan State University Choir, Peabody Conservatory, Baltimore Choral Arts Society, Baltimore School for the Arts, Maryland Zoo and Port Discovery. Marin Alsop believes that classical music should be within the financial and intellectual reach of everyone, connoisseurs and novices alike. She is a great cultural ambassador, and we are very fortunate to have her leading Baltimore’s world-class orchestra.

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.

Disney Dreams Come True for Three BCPSS Students

Out of more than 3,000 nominees, three Baltimore City Public School students were selected to attend the first ever Disney Dreamers Academy held during the Martin Luther King Jr. weekend at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida. BCPSS students Carlos Teixeria of the Baltimore School of the Arts and Mitchell Generette and Bret Sears, both of Renaissance Academy, were among 100 lucky students chosen for the first class. The Disney Dreamers Academy is the brainchild of comedian/radio host Steve Harvey. It is a career enrichment program aimed primarily at minority teens and is designed to help students foster communication skills, develop career goals and realize their dreams. Students were nominated by individuals, parents, guardians, schools, churches, social organizations and youth advocacy programs. They also submitted essays on various subjects.

At the Dreamers Academy Disney executives, employees and performers offered career tips. Panel discussions and workshops included culinary arts, broadcasting, sports marketing, sales and more. Students were inspired by motivational talks from BET Founder/Charlotte Bobcats owner Bob Johnson and TV personality Star Jones. Singers Fantasia and Musiq treated the students to special performances.

Here are some comments from the three BCPSS students:

In your own words, what is a dreamer?
Mitchell Generette: A dreamer is a person with a goal that he/she wants to achieve. Everyone could be a dreamer but your dream will be determined by your energy and determination to succeed.

Who is a role model in your life and how have they inspired you?
Bret Sears: My counselor has been such an inspiration to me. Her name is Phyllis Coley. Since day one, she has supported me. She helped me to become a Ben Carson scholar, a student of high academics, and gave me such a wonderful opportunity at this. If I am confronted with a problem, she is there to talk and mentor me. I appreciate the dedication and time that she has given me so that my future can be better.

Carlos Teixeria: My mother is the person who is my role model. She has inspired me to be determined, go after any opportunity and achieve it, never give up, and if you believe, then God will see you through it.

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, March 3, 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, March 4, 2008

Hearing: Public Safety and Health Committee, Bernard C. "Jack" Young - Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0034 Food Service Facilities - Trans Fats

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Hearing: Executive Appointments Committee, Robert Curran – Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
EA08-0025 Paul T. Graziano Commissioner/Executive Director - Department of Housing and Community Development - 11th District
EA08-0026 Douglas McCoach Director - Department of Planning - 4th District
EA08-0027 John P. Stewart Executive Director - Commission on Aging and Retirement Education - 11th District

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Hearing: Education/Budget and Appropriations Committee
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0021R Peer-to-Peer Youth Enterprise Coordinating Group
LO08-0007 Peer-to-Peer Tutoring for Children in the Baltimore City Public School System

Community Events

Maryland Community Services Locator Website Launched

With funding from the Governor's Office of Crime Control & Prevention, the University of Maryland's Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) has created a new community services locator website. The MDCSL at www.mdcsl.org was created to help Maryland service providers and the general public more easily access local programs and resources.

The current website includes listings of substance abuse treatment and prevention programs, Alcoholics and Narcotics Anonymous meeting lists, Buprenorphine certified physicians, housing services, job readiness resources, parole and probation offices, public schools, and victim services, searchable by proximity to a given address. In the future, the MDCSL's program service listings will be expanded to include other community services, including health/mental health services, emergency food assistance, HIV/AIDS resources and more! For more information, contact the University of Maryland at mdcsl@cesar.umd.edu.

MARCH 1-2: 2008 LEGACY FILM FESTIVAL

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.

Saturday, March 1

The Priceless Gown Project Boutique
Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards, 110 S. Eutaw St. 10am – 2pm. The Priceless Gown Project was created to help young women attend their prom who would not be able to finance the experience on their own. Baltimore area high school juniors and seniors with proof of current school enrollment are eligible to attend. Sizes under 4 and over 22. www.pricelessgownproject.org

The Maryland Real Estate Exchange hosts "How to Make the Most of the Changing Market"
United School of Real Estate, 6721 Harford Rd, 10am – noon. JHU Carey School of Business Instructor Stephen Ferrandi will speak. Free. 410-426-6000.

Sunday, March 2

Film "Revolution '67": Screening and Panel Discussion
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.

Monday, March 3

Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks/Parks & People Foundation Workshop: Building a Board of Directors
Alonso’s Restaurant, 2nd floor, 415 W. Cold Spring Ln. 6pm–8pm. RSVP is mandatory - 410-396-7900.

Upcoming/Ongoing

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

Get Involved: Apply to be a Member of the Pratt Advisory Council
The Enoch Pratt Library is now accepting applications for the Pratt Advisory Council. The Council meets bimonthly and is an important conduit for community concerns and discussion of library-related issues. The Council is composed of community representatives, as well as representatives from Library staff, the Board of Directors, the Mayor's Office, and the City Council. Pratt Advisory Council members are appointed by the Library Board of Directors and serve an initial two-year term with an option for a second two-year term. To apply, please send your contact information and a brief resume and/or statement indicating why you would like to serve on the Council to pac@prattlibrary.org or mail to: Office of the Assistant Director, Enoch Pratt Free Library, 400 Cathedral Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.

"Why Not a Career in Healthcare?" Career Fair, March 8, 10am – 2pm, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, 1400 W. Coldspring Ln, 410-396-8577

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority’s Education Conference on Parental Involvement, March 8, 10am – 3pm, Waverly Middle School, 701 E. 34th St.. Topics include gang violence, MSA & Stanford 10 preparation, college financial aid and more. 410-578-1913.

Neighborhood Design Center Now Accepting Project Assistance Applications
Do you need design or planning assistance for a neighborhood improvement project or your non-profit? The Neighborhood Design Center is accepting project assistance applications for its Spring Cycle. Applications are due April 1, 2008. They can be downloaded in either PDF or Word format from NDC's web site: www.ndc-md.org. Click on "Get Assistance" and then "How to Apply". For more information contact Irene Poulsen at ipoulsen@ndc-md.org or 410-233-9686 x105.

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

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

MTA Announces Bus Route Modifications
Effective February 17, 2008 MTA has made route modifications to 10 local bus lines throughout the Baltimore Region. The new timetables are now available online at www.mtamaryland.com. Riders can also request that timetables be mailed to them by calling 410-539-5000.

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