Baltimore City Council website
"Investing Where Baltimore Lives"
March 7, 2008

Dear Friends:

For nine years I was an attorney in the Baltimore Office of the Public Defender, and one of the most heartbreaking parts of my job was working with adults who had grown up in foster care, showing visible effects of years of abuse and neglect. It is estimated that over 8,000 children are in foster care in Baltimore. Research has shown that children of prisoners are seven times more likely than their peers to be incarcerated themselves, so it is a great privilege for me to do whatever I can to assist abused or neglected children in Baltimore.

That is why I was happy to participate along with 30 other Baltimore "celebrities" in a Celebrity Camera Auction called "Eye on CASA, Focus on Kids" sponsored by CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Baltimore. CASA is a volunteer-driven non-profit organization committed to serving abused and neglected children by representing their voices in the Baltimore City court system and advocating for their best interests in the judicial, educational, medical, and social service communities. Court Appointed Special Advocates assess a foster child's environment, interviewing the child, extended family, and others to decide what is in the child’s best interest and make a written presentation to the court.

For the "Eye on CASA, Focus on Kids" campaign, each of us took photographs on disposable cameras provided by CASA of Baltimore. The cameras are currently being auctioned on eBay to help raise money for CASA’s support and advocacy for abused and neglected children in Baltimore. If you would like to bid on the cameras, you can see them at this ebay auction. For more information on how you can help CASA, call 410-244-1465 or visit www.casabalt.org

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

Mayor, City Council Seek Applicants for Baltimore City Youth Commission

Mayor Dixon and the City Council are seeking young people between the ages of 14 to 25 to serve on the Baltimore City Youth Commission. Openings are available in the following City Council districts: District 1, District 2, District 3, District 9, District 11, District 12, District 13.

The purpose of the Youth Commission is to allow youth the opportunity to provide advice, recommendations, and information for the Mayor, the City Council, and municipal agencies on the development of community and government policies, programs, and services that support children, youth, and their families. All voting members of the Youth Commission will serve for a term which expires at the end of the Mayor’s term. At the completion of the term the voting member will continue to serve until a successor is appointed. Members of the Commission are not entitled to compensation for their service on the Commission. All Youth Commissioners MUST be residents of Baltimore City.

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

National Award Goes to Claremont High School Student

His teacher nominated him because of his commitment to being the best he can be. The Council for Exceptional Children agreed and chose Antoine Hughes of Claremont High School a winner for the Yes I Can Award. Antoine was surprised to find out he won during a special school assembly in January. 250 nominations were submitted for the outstanding honor and Antoine is one of only two winners nationwide. He will travel to Boston next month to receive his award at the Council for Exceptional Children’s National Conference.

The award recognizes a student’s exceptional accomplishment in the area of employment skills. Claremont High Transition teacher Nancy Malone submitted Antoine’s application for the award. She coordinates volunteer and summer jobs program at the school. Antoine currently has an apprenticeship at the Johns Hopkins Hospital linen department twice a week. He plans to pursue a full-time job upon graduation. His ongoing commitment and mild-mannered politeness has made Antoine a pleasure to work with. The spotlight shines on Antoine Hughes, an inspiring young adult with a bright future. Congratulations Antoine!

Also, good luck to first and second graders in Baltimore City Public Schools who will be taking Sanford Achievement Tests (SAT 10), starting Monday.

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

REMINDER: Clocks Spring Forward this Sunday

Officially, clocks should be advanced one hour at 2 a.m. Sunday, local time, though most people reset their clocks and watches before going to bed.

NOTE: The shift to Daylight Savings Time also serves as a reminder to install new batteries in warning devices such as smoke detectors and hazard warning radios.

Monday, March 10, 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 11, 2008

Hearing: Judiciary And Legislative Investigations Committee, James B. Kraft – Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0013R Request for Support of State Legislation - Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act

Hearing: Executive Appointments Committee, Robert Curran – Chair
4:30 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
EA08-0028 Carlotta J. Oliver Member - Board of Trustees, Employees Retirement and Elected Officials Retirement Systems - 5th District
EA08-0029 Darsie Alexander Member - Public Art Commission - 4th District
EA08-0030 Charles Brickbauer Member - Public Art Commission - 11th District
EA08-0031 Alex Castro Member - Public Art Commission - 7th District
EA08-0032 Walter M. Daly Member - Public Art Commission - 5th District
EA08-0033 Elford D. Jackson, P.E. Member - Public Art Commission - 14th District
EA08-0034 Anne Perkins Chair - Public Art Commission - 14th District
EA08-0035 Jann Rosen-Queralt Member - Public Art Commission - 14th District
EA08-0036 Ken Royster Member - Public Art Commission
EA08-0037 Peter Doo Member - Commission on Sustainability
EA08-0038 Raymond Ehrlich Member Commission on Sustainability
EA08-0040 Benjamin G. Glenn, Sr. Member - Planning Commission - 2nd District
EA08-0041 Robert Hopkins Member - Planning Commission - 4th District

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.

Friday, March 7

Celebrating Women’s History Month with Poetry, Prose, and Praise
National Aquarium in Baltimore, 501 E. Pratt Street. "Sole Mates" with Relationship Diva LaDawn Black, 5:30 p.m. spoken word and music. March 14, "An Evening with Nikki Giovanni," Free with special Aquarium Fridays After Five admission price of $8.00 per person. 410-659-4200 or rstewart@aqua.org

Baltimore City Teen Night
Mora Crossman Recreation Center, 701 S. Rappolla St., 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. Info: 410-396-9222.

Saturday, March 8

Waverly Main Street Hop & Shop
32nd Street and Greenmount Avenue, 10am – 6pm. Sidewalk sales, prizes, Easter Bunny photos & face painting. 443-919-5629 or 410-258-6295.

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

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

Informational Meeting: Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School
St. Mark's Church, 1900 St. Paul Street, 10am. For all families interested in enrolling their child (age 3-9) in for 2008-2009 School Year. For more information and applications, please visit www.baltimoremontessoriinc.com

Sunday, March 9

VH1 Save the Music Foundation Benefit Concert
Houlihan’s, Pier IV/Powerplant, $25. For tickets, 443-872-0058.

Monday, March 10

Pre-School’s Out Kinder Day
Jewish Museum of Maryland, 15 Lloyd St., 10am-11:30am. Music, games, stories, arts and crafts and the hands-on exhibition, The Golden Land: A Jewish Family Learning Place. Register at idackmanalon@jewishmuseummd.org

Wednesday, March 12

The Suit Exchange, a celebration of Women’s History Month
333 N. Charles St., 5:30pm - 8pm. Sponsored by The Woman's Industrial Exchange and Suited to Succeed. Donations of clean, professional outfits and hosiery are requested. 410-685-4388.

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

Pre-registration is underway for the "Why Women Cry Conference III," March 24, 9am-4pm, Sheraton Baltimore, 101 W. Fayette St. Women’s health issues will be discussed, www.sisterstogetherandreaching.org . 410-383-1903. Free

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.

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.

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