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Dear Friends:

This week I had the great pleasure of honoring 25 exceptional women at my third annual "Baltimore's Top Neighborhood Moms" awards luncheon, at the Rawlings-Fulton Clubhouse at Forest Park Golf Course. I launched this event because I think it is so important to recognize the unsung heroes of our neighborhoods and encourage others to serve their communities. Baltimore’s Top Moms provide an example for others. You have probably heard the famous words of Gandhi, who urged us all to "be the change you want to see in the world." I am a strong believer in this idea. Our Top Moms inspire me with their commitment to protect, cherish and build upon everything that is good about Baltimore. This event is always a pleasure, and I would like to thank State Senator Catherine Pugh for acting as emcee for the afternoon.

I thank our Top Neighborhood Moms for being dedicated to their communities, and through their hard work we are making Baltimore a better place to live—together. We are doing this in no small measure by acknowledging a simple fact: that neighborhoods are the heart and soul of this city. Together, we have a vision for Baltimore: clean, safe, healthy neighborhoods, good schools, and vibrant, inviting communities.

See the 2009 "Baltimore's Top Neighborhood Moms"

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

Assistance with Water Bills for Seniors and Low Income Residents

Baltimore City Low Income Senior Citizen Water Discount Program

Homeowners and tenants (whose lease holds them responsible for paying the water bill), can apply each year for the discount if they meet the following criteria:
1. The applicant must be a City of Baltimore resident who receives a water/sewer bill directly from the City.
2. The principal resident must be age 65 or older.
3. The combined gross household income must be $25,000 or less.
4. The applicant must certify that he/she is the property owner-of-record with the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation, or provide a lease showing his/her responsibility for paying water/sewer charges at that property.

Those who qualify receive a 30% discount on their water and sewer rates charged on each quarterly bill.

Eligible senior citizens may apply at any of the Senior Community Centers listed on this brochure or may call 311 or 410-396-5398 to obtain an application.

See brochure for complete information

Senior Citizen Discount Application

Baltimore City Low Income Water Assistance Program

• You must be a Baltimore City resident, the utility account holder and receive your water bill directly from the City.
• You must reside at the property on the account.
• You must have received a delinquent, turn-off, or tax sale notice due to being in arrears.
• You must not have an existing payment plan with the Department of Finance.
• You must have verifi cation documents for eligibility.
  Once approved:
  You must pledge to make consistent payments on your unpaid and current balance.
  You will receive a credit of $125.00

See brochure for complete information

 

City Council This Week

Monday, May 11

Hearing: Budget and Appropriations/Committee of the Whole
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
09-0325 Ordinance of Estimates for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2010
BUDGET OVERVIEW

Hearing: Budget and Appropriations/Committee of the Whole
6:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
09-0326 Annual Property Tax - Fiscal Year 2010
TAXPAYER'S NIGHT
This hearing will be broadcast live on TV25.

Tuesday, May 12

Hearing: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee,
James B. Kraft – Chair
9:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
09-0322 Leash Law - Environmental and Civil Citations
RESCHEDULED FROM APRIL 29, 2009

Voting Session: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee, James B. Kraft – Chair
9:05 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
09-0284 Sanitation - "One Plus One" Collection Program

Hearing: Budget and Appropriations/Committee of the Whole
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
LO09-0044 Agency Briefings - Ordinance of Estimates for FY '10'
2:00 PM Mayor's Office of Neighborhoods
2:30 PM Mayor's Office of Cable and Communications
3:00 PM Dept. of Recreation and Parks
6:00 PM Baltimore Development Corporation/Dept. of Housing and Community Development

Wednesday, May 13

Hearing: Budget and Appropriations/Committee of the Whole
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
LO09-0045 Agency Briefings - Ordinance of Estimates for FY '10'
2:00 PM Dept. of Planning
2:30 PM Dept. of Health
3:00 PM Fire Department
3:30 PM Dept. of Transportation/Parking Authority
5:30 PM Police Department/Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice (televised on Cable TV 25)

Thursday, May 14

Hearing: Budget and Appropriations/Committee of the Whole
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
LO09-0046 Agency Briefings - Ordinance of Estimates for FY '10'
2:00 PM Dept. of Public Works
3:00 PM Dept. of General Services
3:30 PM State's Attorneys' Office
4:30 PM Sheriff's Office
6:00 PM Baltimore City Public School System

Friday, May 15

Hearing: Budget and Appropriations/Committee of the Whole
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
LO09-0047 Agency Briefings - Ordinance of Estimates for FY '10'
2:00 PM Dept. of Human Resources
2:30 PM Mayor's Office of Information Technology
3:00 PM Environmental Control Board
3:30 PM Inspector General's Office/Enoch Pratt Free Library/Office of the Comptroller

Community Events

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

May 8-9

Hamilton Lauraville Art Crawl

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

Baltimore School for the Arts’ Spring Dance Performance
Schaeffer Ballroom, 712 Cathedral St., 7pm. $10-$15. www.bsfa.org

Saturday, May 9

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

Butchers Hill Flea Market
Patterson Park Pagoda, 9am-3pm. www.butchershill.org

Buying into Baltimore West: $3000 Toward Your New Home
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute High School, 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane. Join Live Baltimore and homebuying professionals to learn about the homebuying process and city incentive programs. Choose from 4 different tours to learn about different West-side neighborhoods and view sample homes for sale. Participants qualify for $3000 toward closing costs that can be combined with other incentive programs, including the $8000 Federal Tax Credit! Visit www.LiveBaltimore.com/events for more information.

Squidfire Art Mart
Mount Vernon Park, Charles and Monument Streets, 11am-6pm. Oover 50 of the best local and regional crafters and artists display their handmade wares. www.squidfire.com

D.I.Y. Fest
2640 Space, 2640 Saint Paul St. D.I.Y. Fest (Do It Yourself Festival) is a day filled with workshops with self sufficient, low-budget strategies for making stuff and doing things. Workshops include: gardening, computers, resume writing, home repair, recycling, yoga, vegan cooking and more. www.diyfest.org

Annual Strawberry Festival
Roland Park Presbyterian Church, 4801 Roland Ave., 10am-3pm, 410-889-2000. Free. www.rolandparkchurch.org

Wedding Planning As A Business
Enoch Pratt Northwood Branch, 4420 Loch Raven Blvd., 2pm. Presented by Natalie West Makel. 410-396-6076.

Aura Surey
Creative Alliance at the Patterson, 3134 Eastern Ave., 3pm. Native American flute, songs and stories with Ron Warren and Janice Torres. Free. 410-276-1651.

Sunday, May 10 - Mother's Day

French Organ Music Marathon
Grace United Methodist Church, 5407 N. Charles St., 2pm. Features 13 area organists each playing 20-minute recitals. Free will offering. 410-433-6650.

Celebrating Women in the Arts
Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., 2pm. A tour is given about women in the arts through the ages. Free. www.thewalters.org

Tuesday, May 12

Pee Wee Preakness
Federal Hill, 1:30pm. Kids race on hippity hops and join in the fun of Preakness atop beautiful Federal Hill with host Bob The Vid Tech. 1-877-BALTIMORE

Thursday, May 14

Library Idol
Enoch Pratt Light Street Branch, 6pm. Read a poem, sing a song, perform a dance , play an instrument, or do comedy. Prizes awarded. Talent must be family-friendly. Must register at 410-396-1096.

Upcoming/Ongoing

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.

Teen Glam EduJam, May 16, 2pm-8pm, 2640 St. Paul Street, free health screenings, interactive workshops, a fashion show and more. 410-366-1092.

Bike Jam, May 17, Patterson Park Pagoda,8am-6pm. Bicycle races, food, music, and so much more. For more information, visit www.bikejam.org.

Volunteers Needed For Community Playground Build-Franklintown Neighborhood, May 18, 7:45am-3pm, 201 S. Franklintown Rd., 410-856-1850.

Registration Underway for Jason Murphy’s Holding the Line Community Outreach Free Football Camp. Registration is May 19, 3pm-6pm, Fred Ledig Recreation Center, 301 S. Beechfield Ave. Youths 7-18 years old. 410-396-0073.

5th District Community Meeting: One Plus One Waste Collection, May 19, 6:30 pm, Jewish Community Center, Park Heights – 5700 Park Heights Avenue.

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