Baltimore City Council website
"Investing Where Baltimore Lives"
April 11, 2008

Dear Friends:

So far this year, we have seen some encouraging progress in the fight against violent crime in Baltimore, with the lowest number of homicides in over 20 years. I commend Mayor Dixon, the Police Department and committed citizens in neighborhoods all over Baltimore for their tireless efforts to keep our City safe. At the same time, property crimes happen every day in Baltimore and they adversely affect Baltimore residents' quality of life as much as violent crime. Murders get all the headlines, but illegal dumping, destruction of property, and car theft are widespread in Baltimore, and are certainly not confined to any specific part of town. These crimes can happen anyplace where perpetrators think no one is watching or where there is opportunity. If you have been a victim of a burglary or act of vandalism, you know that frustrating and troubling feeling of being violated.

We can't always regain that feeling of trust, but sometimes, we can recover our property. In an effort to improve these odds, this week I introduced an ordinance aimed at increasing the efficiency of communication between the pawnbrokers of Baltimore and city police. The legislation will help police recover stolen property more easily and may help track down petty thieves who have operated in Baltimore neighborhoods for far too long. Current law requires pawnbrokers and secondhand property dealers to report information on each transaction. But this information is entered into a manual filing system, which police contend can make it cumbersome to find stolen property when reported to authorities, if that property has been sold to a pawnshop in Baltimore. The new ordinance will require that all transactions be submitted on a daily basis into a new electronic database, and will require that photos of the property be included in that report.

We live in an age where technology is rapidly evolving and allowing us to govern more efficiently on all levels. This bill simply expands that efficiency to the Police Department in their efforts to enforce property crime laws in Baltimore. These quality of life issues in our City are a priority for me, and I believe that with this new system we can give police the tools they need to protect our citizens against those crimes.

Obviously, as with violent crime, citizens can take proactive measures to prevent property crimes. Don't make it any easier for thieves and vandals to take advantage of you. For example, do not leave valuable items like iPods and GPS units in your parked cars in plain view. Also, leaving your car’s cigarette lighter out of its socket is a sure sign that you have a cellular phone. Cell phones account for more than 60% of all car break-ins. So, remember to put your lighter back in its socket. While property crimes are a daily occurrence in Baltimore, we can all pitch in to prevent them from compromising the quality of life in our great City.

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.

BCPSS Fourth-Grader to Attend Young Scholars Program

Justin A. Thomas, a fourth-grader at Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary School #34, has been nominated to attend the National Young Scholars Program (NYSP), sponsored by the National Center for Early Academic Excellence. The National Young Scholars Program is designed and created specifically for the nation's most highly acclaimed 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students, each of whom has been personally selected for nomination by a teacher. Justin will attend the NYSP residential program this summer at the National 4-H Youth Conference Center in Chevy Chase, MD.

Justin was nominated by his teacher Shannon Brown. She recognized Justin as "an excellent student who demonstrates exceptional maturity, scholastic merit and leadership ability." Justin has received 12 certificates over the past three years for academics, conduct and art, in addition to two trophies and a gold medal from Morgan State University for academics. Scholars participate in several leadership group activities through discovery strands, such as Crime Scene Investigation, Creative Construction, Going Green and World Explorers. They also attend leadership group meetings twice a day and engage in stimulating discussions on how to reinforce their personal skills, develop strong character, utilize problem-solving strategies and identify personal strengths.

By attending the National Young Scholars Program, Justin will be recognized as a young leader in his school and community and gain the confidence and leadership skills that will benefit him throughout his education and beyond. Justin is the son of Lorraine Whitney-McNeely, Special Assistant to the Labor Commissioner.

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, April 14, 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, April 15, 2008

Hearing: Budget and Appropriations Committee, Bernard C. “Jack” Young – Chair
4:30 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0029R Opportunity Budget - Next Phase Is Agency Status

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Hearing: Executive Appointments Committee, Robert Curran - Chair
10:30 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
EA08-0070 David Eugene Scott - Director - Department of Public Works

Hearing: Land Use and Transportation Committee, Ed Reisinger - Chair
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0002 Zoning - Group Homes - Nursing Homes - Emergency Shelters
RESCHEDULED TO MAY 7.

Community Events

Neighborhoods: Sign up for Mayor Dixon's Citywide Spring Cleanup
Saturday, April 19, 2008

Every spring the citizens of Baltimore band together with city government to sweep, rake and haul away the litter from our neighborhoods. Numerous City agencies will also be on-hand for the event and will work to clear storm drains, remove graffiti, cut weeds, trim trees, and board vacant homes. The Department of Public Works will provide volunteers with gloves, rakes, brooms, shovels, bags and debris removal. To register for the Spring cleanup or for more information, citizens should call 410-396-1209.

Registration form

Friday, April 11

Baltimore City Teen Night
Mount Royal Recreation Center, 120 W. Mosher St., 8pm-midnight, 410-396-0374.
 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.

Friday Night at the Walters
Walters Art Museum, 5pm-8pm, www.thewalters.org. Free

Saturday, April 12

Baltimore City Public Schools Early Learning Fair
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, 1400 West Cold Spring Lane 9am-1pm
Be informed! Get a head start! Come gather information and pre-register your child for
pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs in Baltimore City Schools. Also meet representatives from Baltimore City Head Start and the Baltimore Child Care Community Resource Center! (Child must be accompanied by legal guardian to receive services for immunizations. Parents must bring record card.) For more information call 410-396-6602 or visit www.baltimorecityschools.org
Link to brochure (incluye información en espanol).

Family Festival of Exploration
The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., 11am-4pm. Free.

Upcoming/Ongoing

The Small Business Resource Center's Local Contractor Development Program (LCDP) announces its Spring 2008 Contractor's College

The Small Business Resource Center's Local Contractor Development Program announces its Spring 2008 Contractor's College. These classes are being held to help develop and build capacity in MBE/WBE contractors, so they can be in a better position to compete and grow their companies. Baltimore is in a unique position to assist minority and woman-owned businesses (MBE/WBE) to grow. Over the next few years Baltimore City will be engaged in a number of major capital projects. Mayor Dixon, along with the SBRC is committed to helping qualified minority and women owned businesses to competitively bid on these projects. To ensure your success, the Mayor provides support to the LCDP Contractor's College.

For information on course schedules and fees, please see the LCDP Contractor's College website.

Applications for the Baltimore Book Festival Authors' Tent and Literary Exhibitors
The deadline to submit an application for the Authors' Tent and Literary exhibitions at the 2008 Baltimore Book Festival is May 2. The Authors' Tent will host self-published local authors and the application fee is $25. Literary exhibitors include "booksellers, book-related products and literary-oriented programs," and the fee is $35. The festival will be held Sept. 26-28 in Mount Vernon Place. www.baltimorebookfestival.com or call (410) 752-8632.

Artscape Applications
Artscape, the nation's largest free public arts festival, will be running for the 27th time in 2008. Seeking applications from artists, cultural, fashion, and children's exhibitors, as well as dance and theater companies. Newly added are the Chick Web Jazz Combo Competition, a Sound-Off! competition for local bands to become part of the line-up, and Indie-spensible, a DIY program. Application deadlines vary on a case-to-case basis. For more information visit www.artscape.org or call (410) 752-8632.

Baltimore City Human Services Commission presents
a trip to see

Tennessee Williams'
"Cat on a Hot Tin Roof."

Broadhurst Theatre, New York City

Sunday, June 29, 2008 matinee

Bus departs from Western High School, Cold Spring Lane and Falls Rd. promptly at 8:00am, returns at midnight.

Tickets are $175/person
Price includes: round trip coach, ticket to see the production,
and dinner at Sylvia's

$100 deposit due next Friday, April 18th, balance due May 15th

Check or money order paid to the order of Baltimore City Foundation, 417 E. Fayette St. Room 1227, Baltimore, MD 21202

**Proceeds to benefit energy and emergency service
to low-income families**

Office of the State’s Attorney for Baltimore City Presents The 8th Annual 5K Victims’ Fund Run & Walk, Saturday, April 19, 9:00am Patterson Park/Virginia Baker Recreation Center, 2601 E. Baltimore Street, Registration: 7:30 – 8:30 a.m. (Race starts at 9:00 a.m.)
Register online at www.charmcityrun.com

Art in the Park presented by Mill Valley Cultural Arts Umbrella, Open Air Art and Eclec-tiques Market, Every other Saturday starting April 12, 9am-2pm, www.millvalleyarts.org

The Baltimore City Health Department is accepting nominations for the Sebastian Russo Memorial Award. It recognizes healthcare providers who have made significant contributions to their fields by providing dedicated and compassionate service to low-income individuals and families. Deadline is April 30. www.baltimorehealth.org. 410-396-4388.

Baltimore Rising’s Mentoring Children of Incarcerated Parents Program (MCIP) needs mentors for youths whose parent or guardian is in jail and is taking referrals for children who need mentors. Kamala Green at 443-984-1013.

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

Baltimore International Academy, a public charter school, is now accepting applications for students interested in full immersion education in one of four tracks: French, Chinese, Russian or Spanish. Open Houses will be held at 7 pm on April 22 and May 20 at 3515 Taylor Avenue – the campus of the Maryland School for the Blind. More information is available from the school at (410)426-3650 or baltimoreinternationalacademy@yahoo.com.