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Dear Friends:

Yesterday, I presented an amended version of City Council Bill 08-0163 “Live Entertainment” at a joint hearing of the Council’s Judiciary and Legislative Investigations and Land Use and Transportation Committees. The amended bill provides for the targeted expansion of live entertainment in Baltimore that will protect neighborhoods and will be cost-neutral to the City and existing businesses.

Arts and Live Entertainment Legislation Revised draft of bill "Bill would expand live entertainment in the City" - Baltimore Sun, 4/26/09 Targeted Expansion with Neighborhood Safeguards

While I am deeply committed to expanding responsible entertainment options for Baltimore residents and visitors, the original legislation may have had a negative fiscal impact on the City’s budget, at a time when we are cutting important services. The original legislation—modeled after a similar concept adopted in San Francisco—was introduced in July 2008, a time when Baltimore’s fiscal condition was more stable. The newly amended bill would provide for "targeted expansion" of live entertainment to zoned business districts. Restaurants and taverns in zoned B-1 and B-2 business districts could obtain a live entertainment privilege through the city zoning board and state liquor board. By significantly amending the bill, we can have a targeted expansion of responsible live entertainment—and protect our city’s neighborhoods, without any negative impact on existing businesses.

The new draft is supported by the Maryland Restaurant Association, and current venue owners have expressed satisfaction that their concerns have been addressed. The bill will also expand opportunities for local artists and performers by allowing more venues to provide life entertainment. Finally, the proposed bill still provides significant community safeguards, requiring that venues applying for the live entertainment privilege address the potential community impact on issues such as crime, traffic and parking, sanitation, and noise levels.

I would like to thank all the communities who worked with me to craft this legislation. Over the last nine months, we have improved this legislation by working together with a level of transparency and openness, including an initial taskforce, several public hearings and community work sessions. This effort demonstrates that the City Council’s legislative process works, when citizen concerns are not only heard, but addressed. I am encouraged that this newly amended bill will also serve to jumpstart the City’s fledgling comprehensive rezoning process, TRANSFORM Baltimore. I look forward to continuing to work to enhance Baltimore’s arts and live entertainment options as part of the zoning code rewrite. This targeted bill will also help us have a more informed and balanced discussion about the City’s comprehensive rezoning effort as we move forward.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

Public Works Schedules "One Plus One" Presentations on Proposed Changes for Improving Household Waste Collections

The Department of Public Works is scheduling citywide community meetings to inform City residents about proposed changes to improve household waste services, including a presentation on the advantages of One Plus One waste collection followed by a question and answer session.

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
9th District – Councilwoman Agnes Welch
Calverton Elementary/Middle School - 1100 Whitmore Avenue 21216

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
5th District – Councilwoman Rikki Spector
Jewish Community Center, Park Heights – 5700 Park Heights Avenue 21215

 

State of Maryland Toll-Free Swine Flu Information Line

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) has activated a statewide toll-free information line to answer questions residents may have about the swine flu outbreak. The number is

1-877-MDFLU4U (633-5848)

The service will operate between the hours of 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday – Friday and 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. In addition, DHMH will accept swine flu questions by email at swineflu@dhmh.state.md.us.

Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Swine Flu Preparedness
www.governor.maryland.gov/flu/index.html

As with any other seasonal flu, DHMH officials remind Marylanders to use common sense precautions to avoid becoming ill or spreading an illness to others. Basic hygiene is the best tool to help prevent a swine flu illness. Individuals should frequently wash their hands and cover their mouths when coughing.

City Council This Week

Monday, May 4

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, May 5

Hearing: Public Safety and Health Committee, Bernard C. “Jack” Young - Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0072R Board of Liquor License Commissioners - Location of Outlets Near Church or School

Wednesday, May 6

Hearing: Land Use and Transportation Committee, Edward Reisinger - Chair
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
09-0285 Planned Unit Development - Amendment - Chesapeake Paperboard

Thursday, May 7

Hearing: Education Committee, Mary Pat Clarke - Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
LO09-0042 Components of Summer Learning
REEVES CONFERENCE ROOM (RESCHEDULED FROM APRIL 23, 2009)

Community Events

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

May 1-2

Flowermart 2009
Mt. Vernon Parks, 11am-8pm. Children’s activities, food, crafts and wellness vendors, music and more. www.flowermart.org.

Friday, May 1

First Fridays at The Walters
Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., 5pm-8pm. Music, cocktails and performances. 410-547-9000. www.thewalters.org. Free.

Saturday, May 2

Kinetic Sculpture Race
American Visionary Arts Museum, 800 Key Highway. 10am. 410-244-1900.

The Barclay School’s 50th Anniversary Celebration
2900 Barclay St., 11am-2pm. Food, games, artifacts, photos, music and fun. Former students and teachers are asked to stop by. Free. 410-396-6387.

Books for Kids Day sponsored by Baltimore Reads
Poly-Western High parking lot, Falls Rd. and Cold Spring Lane., 9am-2pm, Donate new or gently used children’s books. Collection held rain or shine. www.baltimorereads.org

Artist Karen Y. Buster’s 2nd Annual Studio Open House
May 2-3, 12pm-7pm, 3000 Druid Park Dr., Suite 2A. www.karenybuster.com

BUGS Farmers Market (Baltimore Urban Gardening With Students)
Living Classrooms Foundation, 802 S. Caroline St., 10am-1pm. The students will sell their own-grown seedlings, herbs, annuals and more. www.bugsprograms.org

2nd Annual Baltimore VisionWalk to benefit The Foundation Fighting Blindness
Druid Hill Park, Chinese Pavilion on Swann Drive, 7am-1pm. Registration is at 9am. Walk starts at 10am. Contact Abigail Adams at 410-568-0174 or AAdams@FightBlindness.

Negro League Day at City Hall
War Memorial Plaza, 1-3pm. Activities include autograph signings by former players, speakers, free refreshments and a t-ball game featuring four teams from Baltimore City Recreation and Parks. 410-396-7900.

Book Signing with Author Walter Mosley
Enoch Pratt Library/Pennsylvania Avenue Branch, 1531 W. North Ave., 2pm. Mosley will discuss his book, The Right Mistake. 410-396-0399

Keeping Healthy Health Fair
The Door, 219 N. Chester St., 2pm-6pm. Learn about nutrition, dental hygiene, exercise, free massages and more. www.thedoorinc.org Free.

Musicians for Douglass: A Benefit Concert for Douglass High School
Douglass High Auditorium, 6-8pm. Featuring Ethel Ennis, Judd Watkins, Whit Williams, Christopher Calloway Brooks and others. $25. 410-960-8041.

Baltimore City College High School Choir "Knight of Music" Gala Concert
Goucher College, Kraushaar Auditorium, 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd., 7pm. $15-$20.
1-877-4WE-SING (493-7464).

The League for People with Disabilities “Toast to the League” Annual Benefit
1111 E. Cold Spring Lane, 7pm-11pm. Proceeds to raise funds for The League’s Hecht Therapeutic Pool and to honor Congressman Elijah E. Cummings and Ms. Wheelchair America Juliette Rizzo, $125-$225. 410-323-0500.

2nd Annual Boundary Block Party
Eutaw Place and McMechen St. 1pm-4pm. Face-painting, dancing, a cookie-cook off, theatre and more. www.boundaryblockparty.com

Sunday, May 3

Greater Baltimore March of Dimes March for Babies
Camden Yards, registration at 8am; walk at 9am, Camden Yards, 410-752-7990. Register at 410-396-6128. www.marchforbabies.org/teams/554285

Loch Raven Day
Loch Raven Drive between Providence Road and Morgan Mill Road, 11am-1pm. Enjoy organized hikes, fly-fishing demonstrations and a wildlife exhibit for the children. Kurt.Kocher@BaltimoreCity.gov or 410-396-3500.

Morgan State University Choir Spring Benefit Concert
Murphy Fine Arts Center, 4pm. $20-$25. 410-366-1214.

Monday, May 4

Starting and Financing a Small Business
Enoch Pratt Waverly Branch, 400 E. 33rd St., 5pm. Presented by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Free.

Wednesday, May 6

Non-Profits Thinking Like Businesses
Enoch Pratt Central Library, 400 Cathedral St., 10am-2pm. Presented by Robert Egger, the founder of the DC Central Kitchen. 410-396-5430.

Thursday, May 7

First Thursdays Concerts in the Park
West Mount Vernon Park, 5:30pm. Featuring Wild Light and Matt Duke.

NFTE Baltimore Ragin' Cajun Celebration to honor Baltimore’s Young Entrepreneurs
The Hippodrome Theatre, 12 N. Eutaw St., 6pm-9pm $100.

May 7-10

Maryland Film Festival
Charles Theatre (and other locations), 1711 North Charles Street. The Maryland Film Festival is truly a world class film festival centered in Baltimore that brings filmmakers to Maryland as a way to encourage future production. www.md-filmfest.com

Upcoming/Ongoing

Cylburn Arboretum’s 41st Annual Spring Plant Sale, May 9, 8am-2pm, 4915 Greenspring Ave. 410- 367-2217. www.cylburnassociation.org

Ride for the Feast 2009, May 16-17, a 140-mile bike ride from Rehoboth Beach to Baltimore City to raise funds and awareness for Moveable Feast, the area's sole provider of meals and groceries for people living with HIV/AIDS and other life-challenging conditions. www.rideforthefeast.org or call 410-327-3420, ext. 33.

Enoch Pratt’s Light Street Branch Goes Wireless and additional computers have been installed. Other Wi-Fi Pratt branches are Central, Northwood, Orleans, Roland Park, Southeast Anchor and Waverly.

Get a Free Orioles Ticket for your birthday. Any fan can get a free ticket to a game during the month of his or her birthday--unless the Orioles are playing the Yankees or Red Sox. Register online at www.orioles.com/birthdays and receive a voucher for a free birthday ticket.

MD HOPE (Home Owners Preserving Equity) State Hotline 1-877-462-7555. For assessment and possible referral to a housing counseling agency or a volunteer attorney for assistance in your foreclosure matter. www.mdhope.org

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.

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