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"Investing
Where Baltimore Lives" |
May 9, 2008 |
Dear Friends:
One of my favorite parts of being City Council President is traveling throughout Baltimore, talking to concerned citizens about issues that touch their daily lives in their neighborhoods. I am impressed and encouraged that so many Baltimore residents are taking initiative on behalf of their own neighborhoods, in partnership with City government, to defend what is good about their communities and to drive out what is not.
That’s why I was honored this week to recognize some of the City’s most dedicated community leaders at my 2nd Annual "Baltimore's Top Neighborhood Moms" awards luncheon. Community associations throughout the City nominated the winners for their dedication to their neighborhoods. Last year 38 women were nominated: this year, we had 90—more than double. Not only does this mean that more people need to be recognized for their efforts, but it also means more people are stepping up and taking more responsibility for their neighborhoods.
I know that community activism is hard and often thankless work.
 Our Top Moms inspire me and remind me why I am in public service. As elected officials, we know that most of our power comes from the strength of our people, and their willingness to fight the good fight each day for positive change. Of course we can help, facilitate, and provide resources—but at the end of the day, we can do nothing without them. Because no ordinance that the City Council passes, no initiative we spearhead can have its full impact without the support of committed citizen activists who mobilize communities, build consensus and remind their neighbors what is possible when they work together toward common goals.
I am proud to lead the charge to refocus our City's energy and resources to the neighborhoods of Baltimore. Neighborhoods are the heart and soul of this city. When our neighborhoods decline, Baltimore declines—and when our neighborhoods thrive, Baltimore thrives. This is not a new concept to our Top Neighborhood Moms. They understand the crucial role of their communities in the health of the City as a whole. They understand that when neighbors become invested in a community, not just in a home...our most daunting challenges are transformed into hopeful opportunities.
Stephanie
Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council
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Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is now looking for Baltimore’s "Top Neighborhood Dads."
Baltimore neighborhood residents and community associations are asked to nominate their "Top Neighborhood Dad," along with the reasons he should be recognized for his work.
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Each
week in the President's
SchoolSpot,
Council President Stephanie
Rawlings-Blake highlights the outstanding
accomplishments of Baltimore City Schools students
and staff. |
Who Is Baltimore City’s Teacher of the Year for 2008?
Kristin Covaleskie, a fourth grade teacher at Northwood Elementary School, is Baltimore City’s Teacher of the Year for 2008. Baltimore City Public Schools System CEO Dr. Andrés Alonso made the announcement in her class Tuesday during Teacher Appreciation Week.
"I always welcome the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of those individuals who share our determination to create a system of great schools," said Dr. Alonso. "For more than a decade Ms. Covaleskie has used her classroom to provide a solid foundation for her students to be successful academically and in their communities. We are proud to claim her as our own."
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| Sun photo-Jed Kirschbaum |
For a dozen years, Covaleskie has taught in the BCPSS, teaching kindergarten through fourth grade. She has also been an after school academy teacher, a mentor teacher for student interns from Morgan State University, a school improvement team chairperson, and resident advisor for the Baltimore City Teaching Residency program. She is the second teacher from Northwood to win the city's competition in the past three years.
"My pride in who I am as an educator lies in the performance of my students within their school and greater community," says Ms. Covaleskie. "They have respect for one another and for each others’ learning. They have a desire for movement toward the greater good. The development of their ability to understand and appreciate the ills of society, while at the same time beginning to understand their place as advocates of positive social change, are the true manifestations of my accomplishments. That is how I know, without doubt, that I am affirmatively contributing to the lives of my students."
Covaleskie’s students called her "awesome" and said, "She’s there when we hurt."
Covaleskie was selected by a Blue Ribbon Committee represented by Baltimore City school officials and the Baltimore Teachers Union. She will go on to compete for Maryland Teacher of the Year. The winner will be announced this fall and goes on to compete for national Teacher of the Year.
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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 marva.williams@baltimorecity.gov
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City
Council This Week
Monday, May 12, 2008
Hearing: Highways and Franchises Subcommittee, Sharon Green Middleton – Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0036 City Streets - Closing - A Portion of Monroe Street
08-0038 City Streets - Closing - Sinclair Lane Extending from Clareway Easterly 713.1 Feet, More or Less, to its Northeasternmost Extremity
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Hearing: Budget and Appropriations/Committee of the Whole
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0101 Ordinance of Estimates for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2009
BUDGET OVERVIEW
See entire schedule of agency briefings
Hearing: Budget and Appropriations/Committee of the Whole
6:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0102 Annual Property Tax - Fiscal Year 2009
Hearing: Budget and Appropriations Committee, Bernard C. "Jack" Young – Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0103 Supplementary Special Fund Capital Appropriation - Department of Housing and Community Development - $8,000,000
08-0104 Supplementary General Fund Capital Appropriation - Mayoralty-Related - $5,000,000
08-0105 Supplementary Parking Enterprise Fund Capital Appropriation - Department of Transportation - $2,400,000
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Hearing: Budget and Appropriations/Committee of the Whole
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
LO08-0013 Agency Briefings - Ordinance of Estimates for FY '09'
Today's budget briefings will be televised on Cable TV 25.
See entire schedule of agency briefings
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Hearing: Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee, Helen Holton - Chair
9:30 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
LO08-0012 Overview - Cultural Bonds
The Planning Department will give the committee an overview of the General Obligation Bonds Issues regarding Cultural Projects; hearings on these bills begin at 9:45 a.m.
9:45 AM
08-0072 Bond Issue - Baltimore Museum of Art Loan - $750,000
10:00 AM
08-0076 Bond Issue - Everyman Theatre Loan - $500,000
10:15 AM
08-0077 Bond Issue - Lyric Opera House Loan - $1,000,000
10:30 AM
08-0078 Bond Issue - Maryland Zoo in Baltimore Loan - $300,000
10:45 AM
08-0079 Bond Issue - Maryland Science Center Loan - $400,000
11:00 AM
08-0080 Bond Issue - Meyerhoff Symphony Hall Loan - $300,000
11:15 AM
08-0081 Bond Issue - National Aquarium in Baltimore Loan - $500,000
11:30 AM
08-0082 Bond Issue - Port Discovery Children's Museum Loan - $600,000
11:45 AM
08-0086 Bond Issue - Walters Art Museum Loan - $350,000
Hearing: Budget and Appropriations/Committee of the Whole
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
LO08-0014 Agency Briefings - Ordinance of Estimates for FY09
See entire schedule of agency briefings
Friday, May 16, 2008
Hearing: Budget and Appropriations/Committee of the Whole
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
LO08-0015 Agency Briefings - Ordinance of Estimates for FY09
See entire schedule of agency briefings
Saturday, May 10
"Buying Into Baltimore" Homebuying Fair and Neighborhood Tours - Western Region
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute High School, 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane, 9am-2pm
FREE ADMISSION. Educational Seminars: learn about the homebuying process and city incentive programs. Homebuying Fair: Meet with “I love city life” mortgage lenders and real estate agents. Neighborhood Tours: Choose from 4 different neighborhood tours and view sample homes for sale. Take a guided bus tour or drive a tour yourself with provided directions.
Find out how you can get $3,000 toward the purchase of your new home in Baltimore!
www.livebaltimore.com 410-637-3750.
Squidfire presents Spring Art Mart
Mount Vernon Park, 11am-6pm, D.I.Y. craft event featuring crafters from all over the country selling their wares. Unique handmade goods from over 40 vendors! www.squidfire.com
Roland Park Presbyterian Church Strawberry Festival
Roland Park Presbyterian Church, 4801 Roland Ave.,
10 am-3 pm
With pony rides, petting zoo, children’s games and a MoonBounce, jumble sale/flea market in the church basement, silent auction, and much, much more.
410-889-2000 www.rolandparkchurch.org
Red Line Community Summit
Baltimore Convention Center, 1 W. Pratt St.,
9am - 1pm. Registration and continental breakfast begin at 8am.
The Red Line is a proposed 12-mile transit corridor that will operate from the Social Security Administration building in Woodlawn to the Johns Hopkins Bayview Campus in Southeast Baltimore. Mayor Dixon is bringing together the resources and expertise of many different City agencies to help the Maryland Transit Administration develop the best possible Red Line alternative for the region. The Red Line Community Summit is free and open to the public.
www.mayorsredlinesummit.com
Rowhouse Rembrandts: Celebrate Screen Painters and Urban Arts in Baltimore
American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway, 10 am-5 pm
Day of all-ages activities, exhibitions, films, master classes, and a marketplace. Master workshops with screen painters 3-5 p.m. Space is limited, call for reservations. Parking lot $3/day. Metered parking. The event is free, master workshops $20.
410-244-1900
www.avam.org
Preakness Celebration Parade
Pratt Street, 11:00am. The Preakness Celebration Parade is a part of Preakness
Celebration 2008, a series of events preparing Baltimore for
the 133nd annual running of the Preakness Stakes on
Saturday, May 17. l 1-877-BALTIMORE.
The 2008 Recreation Explosion: a fun and fitness expo
Druid Hill Park, Noon-6 pm
Join Magic 95.9 and 92Q for the 2008 Recreation Explosion: the kickoff for the spring/summer season of recreation and parks. Enjoy a fun-filled day of live entertainment, sports clinics, carnival rides, arts and crafts, food for the entire family! This event is FREE and open to the public. Some activities will require a small fee. 410-396-7900
Movies in Patterson Park
Featuring: Over the Hedge, Rated G
Patterson Park, The Hill in the Extension 8:30pm. The Friends of Patterson Park launches the first of a series of free movies. Come out to the extension at sunset, bring a picnic and blanket or chair, sit back and watch a zany group of animated suburban wild animals get themselves out of a serious conundrum. www.pattersonpark.com
Tuesday, May 13
MECU Pee Wee Preakness
Federal Hill Park Warren Street near Battery Avenue, 11:30am.
Junior jockeys have a "Preakness" of their own with a lively
race! Youngsters race to the finish line on bouncy hippity hops at
MECU's Pee Wee Preakness. Children charge out of the starting gate for the big race at
noon. After the races, the tykes catch their breath while
enjoying their packed lunches and exciting entertainment. Most participants are from area day care centers,
schools and recreation centers, but walk-in entries are
welcome. 1-877-BALTIMORE.
Upcoming/Ongoing
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. An Open House will be held at 7 pm on 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.
Sowebohemian Arts and Music Festival 2008, Sunday, May 25, Hollins Street Market, Noon-8pm. The festival presents Baltimore's largest free music venue presenting over 40 bands with 3 blocks of Arts & Crafts vendors, puppet shows, outdoor sculpture, and kid's art & fun. Sowebofest showcases the large salon style non-juried art exhibit in the cavernous Carriage House Gallery. Volunteers are needed for the Festival. Contact Micha Dannenberg at 443-416-7719 or micha@soweboarts.org
The 12th Annual Charles Village Festival, Saturday, May 31st-Sunday, June 1st, Wyman Park Dell, Charles & 29th Streets, 10am-8:30pm Saturday, 10-6pm Sunday.
The festival in the Dell will feature vendors, artisans, terrific food, kids’ games and activities, beer and free live music. vendors selling food, crafts, and adult beverages. Festivities begin Saturday morning with the 5K Fun Run at 8am, followed by the Charles Village Festival Parade. Sunday features The Annual Garden Walk from 11am-4pm. www.charlesvillage.net
Art in the Park presented by Mill Valley Cultural Arts Umbrella, Open Air Art and Eclectiques Market, Every 2nd Saturday through October, 9am-2pm, www.millvalleyarts.org
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.
Looking For Junior Achievement Alumni! Junior Achievement is celebrating 50 years in Maryland in 2007. Did a JA program lead you to where you are today? Tell us about it! Visit http://maryland.ja.org or contact JoAnn Goldberger at 443-394-7211 Ext. 226 or jgoldberger@JAKids.com
The Community Law Center provides free legal services and technical assistance to improve the quality of life and economic viability of communities. Community-based organizations, nonprofits, and churches are eligible for assistance with forming new nonprofit organizations and gaining 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, reviewing contracts, acquiring property, addressing drug nuisance properties, addressing the zoning/environmental impact of properties/development projects in the community, confronting problem liquor establishments, resolving tax issues and many other legal issues. Call 410.366.0922 x15 or email danielled@communitylaw.org. www.communitylaw.org
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.
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
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