Baltimore City Council website
"Investing Where Baltimore Lives"
May 25, 2007
Dear Friends:

Sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got until you see it from the outside looking in. This week, as I joined leaders throughout Baltimore and the state of Maryland at the International Council of Shopping Centers convention, I enjoyed the next best thing: experiencing the view of Baltimore from the perspective of others who are interested in investing here.

As the nation’s largest gathering of retailers and investors, the convention offers a unique opportunity for those who care about Baltimore to make the case for investment in our City. Several years ago, the city found attracting industry to be a challenge, as we were adjusting to a changing industrial landscape. Today, however, there is tremendous "buzz" about Baltimore and it was particularly evident among investors at the convention. The outstanding economic outlook of our City, combined with the realization that retail demand clearly outweighs the supply, has fostered significant interest in projects that will enhance the revenue of our City, create jobs for our residents, and make Baltimore a more attractive place for shoppers and visitors.

All of this combines for increased investment where Baltimore lives. Increased revenue resulting from major projects in Baltimore allows for greater growth in our neighborhoods, which directly affects those who live right here in our City. This week’s convention allowed us to show off our City, and potentially bring millions of dollars of investment to the streets of Baltimore, where it belongs.

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.
"As We See It!" Student Art Exhibit at BMA a First for City Schools
"Untitled"
Aaron Quichacho, Canton Middle
art teacher - Brandy Murphy.
(Click to view larger version)

"Self Portrait"
Marquis White, City College
 art teacher - Bill Holly
(Click to view larger version)
Nearly 1500 people visited the BCPSS' "As We See It!" Citywide Art Exhibit held last week at the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA). It was a showcase of art work by 400 students in grades pre-K- 12 representing 90 schools. This was the first time the work of Baltimore City's public school students was presented in large scale at the museum.

Also, the Beechfield Jazz Band and the Garrett Heights Choir and Tap Dancers mesmerized guests with their performances. Kudos to Jill Warzer, BCPSS Fine Arts Lead Teacher, for all of her hard work to make the exhibit a success.

"Japanese Mythological God"
Kelly Lawson, City College
art teacher - Thomas Jenkins
(Click to view larger version)

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, May 28, 2007

CITY HOLIDAY - MEMORIAL DAY - No City trash or recycling collection. Parking meters will be in effect.

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Hearing: Land Use and Transportation Committee, Edward Reisinger - Chair
1:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0604 Zoning - Conditional Use Convalescent, Nursing, and Rest Home (Assisted Living) - 643 Tunbridge Road

Hearing: Education Committee, Mary Pat Clarke - Chair
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0251R Investigative Hearing - Should Baltimore City Have A Partially Elected School Board?

This hearing will be televised on TV25. (Rescheduled from June 13, 2007)

Thursday, May 31, 2007

Hearing: Taxation and Finance Committee, Helen Holton - Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0655 Property Tax Credits - Newly Constructed Dwellings
07-0566 Sale of Property - A 6-Foot Wide Portion of Maryland Avenue
07-0600 Sale of Property - Freedomway North and Freedomway West

Hearing: Budget and Appropriations Committee, Jack Young - Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0283R Baltimore City Animal Control

4:15 PM
07-0666 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - MR-Art and Culture Grants - $900,000

4:30 PM
07-0669 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - MR-Civic Promotion - $637,000

4:45 PM
07-0672 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - MR-General Debt Service - $971,000

5:00 PM
07-0673 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - Department of Health - $175,000

5:15 PM
07-0678 Supplementary General Fund Capital Appropriation - Department of Housing and Community Development - $2,000,000

5:30 PM
07-0679 Supplementary General Fund Capital Appropriation - Department of Housing and Community Development - $4,000,000

5:45 PM
07-0681 Supplementary General Fund Capital Appropriation - Mayoralty-Related - $200,000

6:00 PM
07-0682 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - MR-Office of Employment Development - $310,000

Community Events

Friday, May 25

Balticon 41 - The Maryland Regional Science Fiction and Fantasy Convention
Marriott Hunt Valley Inn

Details at www.balticon.org

Summer Sounds at the Square
Belvedere Square
6-9pm
Free outdoor concerts every Friday
Featuring: Junkyard Saints

Details at www.belvederesquare.com

Construction Job Fair
sponsored by Mondawmin Mall and City Councilwoman Belinda Conaway
11am-2pm Center Court
Construction contractors currently participating in the mall's redevelopment will conduct interviews at the event for subcontractors, laborers and vendors. 410-523-1534

Saturday, May 26

Baltimore Herb Festival
Leakin Park
1900 Eagle Drive
10 am - 4 pm

Details at www.baltimoreherbfestival.com

Baltimore Bike Jam
9th Annual Cycling Festival
Patterson Park
8 am - 5 pm

A daylong festival of cycling, featuring exciting, colorful, and cool bike races and a ton of free family fun! Kids play in fun activities like the Bike Safety Rodeo, and get a free bike helmet at the Kids’ Pavilion. See bike exhibits and great health info at the Bike & Health Expo. The Kelly Cup Pro Race features professional bike racers from the Tour de France and the Olympic Games. Participate in Recreational Bike Rides and enjoy a Stunt Show featuring National Champion Trials rider Mike Steidley. Food and great live music all day.

Details at www.bikejam.org

HERS! Health Empowerment and Resource Symposium for Women
Sheraton Hotel
101 W. Fayette Street
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Association of Community Health Centers (MACHC)

HERS! is a day-long women's educational health fair that is open free to the public. HERS! will offer free health screenings, exhibitor and vendor tables, information sessions on specific women's health issues, exhibition areas, give-aways and door prizes. This will be a fun-filled and informative event that all women should attend!
FREE Info: 301-577-0097, deitra.bell@machc.com

Details at www.machc.com

Sunday, May 27

SoWeBo Arts and Music Festival
Hollins Market 1000-1200 blocks of Hollins Street

Details at www.soweboarts.org

Spring Fling Concert
featuring the Jazz Band, Dance troupe and choir in a Musical Revue
Frederick Douglass High School Auditorium
4:30 PM
$5.00 for children under 5, students with ID and seniors
$10.00 for general admission

7th Annual Poncho's Studio Show and Open House
Melanin Graphics 4133 Hayward Ave.
12p-5p
410-466-8733

Upcoming

Charles Village Festival
Saturday, June 3 - Sunday, June 4
Wyman Park Dell, 29th and Charles Streets

Details at www.charlesvillage.net

Family Caregivers & Grandparents Information Fair
The Forum Caterers
4210 Primrose Ave
Saturday June 9, 2007
9:00am-3:00pm

Baltimore City Commission on Aging Retirement Education (CARE) presents this information fair, featuring info on estate planning, elder abuse, Medicare D, advance directives and more. For more info, call 410-396-1337.

Cab Calloway Vocal Competition
Applications are being accepted for the inaugural Cab Calloway Vocal Competition. Men, 18 and older, who live in the Baltimore region may apply. Deadline is June 1!

Details at www.artscape.org

Baltimore Paetec Jazz Festival
Pier 6 Concert Pavillion
August 9 - Boney James and Jonathan Butler
August 10 - Earth, Wind and Fire
August 11- B.B. King, Etta James and Al Green

Details at www.paetecjazz.com