Dear Friends:

Many of you turned on your TV news on Tuesday to see First Mount Olive Free Will Baptist Church engulfed in flames. For 140 years the building has stood on Saratoga Street, but during Tuesday’s thunderstorm, a bolt of lightning struck the church’s steeple, igniting a five-alarm fire that all but destroyed the old sanctuary. Since then, city residents have pledged an inspiring groundswell of support for Bishop Oscar E. Brown and Mount Olive’s congregation of 3000. I am looking forward to attending the church's services at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall on Sunday at 10:00 am. It promises to be a very inspirational morning.

We call upon our better nature at such times of crisis. Moments when we are reminded that we are all connected, and our collective power is immeasurable. But each day in Baltimore and in big cities across the country, we face trials that are less dramatic than a five-alarm fire, but no less urgent. We grapple with chronic problems like violent crime, rising costs of living, the education of our children, and it’s tempting to throw up your hands in frustration. Mohandas Gandhi once said, "We must become the change we want to see in the world." The Mount Olive congregation knows that this fire was not a tragedy, but a test.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Mount Olive's congregation is determined to prevail and rebuild the church. It is a compelling lesson for all of us: in our families, in our neighborhoods, and in our City, how will we choose to respond to our challenges and tests? I have every confidence that this church will be rebuilt. Like any institution of value, it rests on a solid foundation: a structure is sound because people of faith and goodwill make it so. I was very touched to learn that the City Fire Department was able to spare Mount Olive’s stained glass windows in the blaze, for where there is light, there is hope.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

City Council This Week

Monday, July 16, 2007

Voting Session: Urban Affairs and Aging Committee, Agnes Welch - Chair
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
06-0476 Urban Renewal - Oldtown - Amendment
06-0477 Rezoning - 400 and 510 Forrest Street, 400 Mott Street, 416, 418, 420, 422, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429-31, 430, 432, 433, 434, 436-38, 437, 439, 440-42, 441, 444, 447, 449-57, 450, 459, 461, 463, 465, 467, 469, 470, 471, 501-03, 505-07, 509, 511-13 1/2, 515-17, 519 Oldtown Mall, and a portion of 1000 Orleans Street
07-0617 Baltimore City Landmark List - Johnny Eck House
07-0618 Baltimore City Landmark List - Christ Church United Church of Christ
07-0619 Baltimore City Landmark List - Ruscombe Mansion

City Council Meeting
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Hearing: Taxation and Finance Committee, Helen Holton - Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0700 Payments in Lieu of Taxes - Ward 03, Section 06, Block 1800, Lot #0001, "701 Aliceanna Street"

Friday, July 13

Summer Sounds at the Square
Belvedere Square, 6-9 pm
Free outdoor concerts every Friday
Featuring: Mambo Combo, Latin music

Details at www.belvederesquare.com

Baltimore City Recreation and Parks 2007 Music In The Parks Summer Concert Series
7 pm - 8:30 pm
Burdick Park, Glenmore Ave. and Walther Blvd.
Free
Performing: Municipal Band

Belair-Edison Film Festival
Movie Shed, 3900 Belair Road
Grab your blanket and join us in the park for family-friendly movies at the improved Movie Shed.
Featuring: Happy Feet, PG, 1 hr 48 min

From This Day Forward Bridal Showcase
Admiral Fell Inn, 888 S. Broadway, 7-10 pm
The Bridal Showcase features Baltimore's top vendors at the historic Admiral Fell Inn in Fells Point. Tickets $25. A portion of all ticket sales will be donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Enter for a chance to win an Air Jamaica Honeymoon. Info: 410-812-2547.

Little Italy Friday Night Outdoor Movies
High and Stiles Streets, 9:00pm
Featuring: Only You, PG, 108 min

Saturday, July 14

"Art In The Park" Art Market
9 am - 2 pm
Roosevelt Park in Hampden
Free parking
Details at www.millvalleyarts.com

Belair-Edison Summerfest
Herring Run Park, Belair Road and Shannon Drive, 10 am-6 pm
A day of family fun in Herring Run Park dedicated to our past and present military service personnel and features the rededication of the flagpole at the World War I Memorial, erected in 1921. Don't miss the flag ceremony, fire truck, moon bounce, and flea market. Sponsored by Parks and People Foundation.

Hillen Road Health and Safety Fair
Northwood Appold Community Academy Public Charter School, 4417 Loch Raven Boulevard, 10 am-2 pm
Community residents will be able to learn about health and safety issues up close at the Hillen Road Improvement Association’s upcoming Health and Safety Fair featuring vendors, demonstrations, and presentations on topics such as health and nutrition, physical fitness, wellness, and safety. Door prizes and free giveaways. Phone: 443-824-1637

2nd Annual Belvedere Square Sidewalk Sale
July 14-15
Shop outdoors and get great discounts during the 2nd Annual Belvedere Square Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, July 14 and Sunday, July 15.

July 13-15

Caribbean Carnival Festival
Druid Hill Park, Friday 5-10 pm, Saturday and Sunday noon-9 pm
The festival begins with a traditional island costumed parade. Enjoy soca, reggae, and steel drum bands, live international entertainment, elaborate costumes, and Caribbean cuisine. Info: 410-230-2969.

Details at www.bcacarnival.net

Shore Leave 29 Sci-Fi Convention
Marriott Hunt Valley Inn, 245 Shawan Road, Hunt Valley, MD
This fan-run sci-fi and media convention includes special appearances from many members of the original Star Trek and Stargate shows as well as other sci-fi shows.
Tickets $70, Friday only $20, Saturday only $45, Sunday only $40, kids 5-12 $15, kids under 5 free. Info: 410-496-7000-4456

Details at www.shore-leave.com

Sunday, July 15

Diner and the Bacon Brothers
West Shore Park, Light Street, between Conway and Lee Streets, 7 pm
Concert starts at 7 pm. Movie Diner starts at 9 p.m.
Barry Levinson's Diner returns to Baltimore with the the Bacon Brothers Band, featuring actor Kevin Bacon and his brother Michael. A screening of the film for its 25th anniversary will be presented after a performance by the Bacon Brothers Band.

Details at www.Netflix.com/liveonlocation

Monday, July 16

Baltimore City Recreation and Parks 2007 Music In The Parks Summer Concert Series
7 pm - 8:30 pm
Canton Waterfront Park, 3001 Boston St. @ Ellwood Ave.
Free
Performing-David Bach

Auditions for the Junior Broadcaster Competition for the Baltimore Orioles
ESPN Zone, 601 E. Pratt St., 1 p.m. July 16 & 17
Only the first 100 eligible candidates will be admitted to audition.

Tuesday, July 17

School Community Conversations with new Baltimore City Public Schools CEO, Dr. Andres Alonso
St. Veronica Catholic Church, 806 Cherry Hill Rd.
6 pm - 8 pm

Pepsi Jazz in Center Court
Mondawmin Mall, 2401 Liberty Heights Avenue, 6-8 pm
Featuring - Big Daddy Stawlings - Blues

Thursday, July 19

Flicks from the Hill: Outdoor Film Series
Hughes Family Outdoor Movie Theater: American Visionary Arts Museum
800 Key Highway,9pm Info: 410-244-1900
Featuring: Seabiscuit, PG-13, 141 min

Baltimore City Recreation and Parks 2007 Music In The Parks Summer Concert Series
7 pm - 8:30 pm
Depaul House, 3300 Benson Ave.
Free
Performing-Municipal Band

Artscape
July 20-22, Friday, 12-10pm, Saturday, 12-10pm and Sunday, 12-8pm,
1200 block of Mt. Royal Avenue
The region's premier celebration of the arts featuring continuous musical performances by local, regional and national talent on four outdoor stages, indoor and outdoor visual arts exhibitions and more. Details at www.artscape.org

Billie Holiday Vocal Competition
July 21, 12-3 pm
Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 1212 Cathedral Street
The 18th annual competition takes place during Artscape. Local singers compete in this event in tribute to the unique singing style of Baltimore's own Billie Holiday.

International Festival
July 28-29, noon-9 p.m. daily
Poly/Western High School parking lot, Falls Road and W. Cold Spring Lane
International Festival, a celebration of Baltimore's cultural diversity with music, dancing and a variety of ethnic foods, and a two-day international soccer competition. Info: 410-396-3141

Baltimore Restaurant Week July 30-August 5, 2007
Details at www.baltimorerestaurantweek.com

Virgin Festival
August 4-5, Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Avenue
Colossal 2-day rock concert featuring over 30 bands including The Police, Smashing Pumpkins, Beastie Boys, Bad Brains, Velvet Revolver, Modest Mouse, Ben Harper, Wu Tang Clan, Amy Winehouse, Matisyahu and more. Details at www.virginfestival.com

Baltimore Paetec Jazz Festival
August 9-11
20 Free concerts for the Baltimore Paetec Jazz Festival to be held at Bond Street Wharf Landing (Thames & Bond Sts.), Harbor Pointe (900 S. Caroline St.) and Power Plant Live! Details at www.paetecjazz.com

Naija Fest Nigerian Festival
August 11-12, Patterson Park
Details at www.nyamaryland.org 443-570-6947

Pow-Wow Native American Festival
August 24-26, Patterson Park
Details at www.baic.org 410-675-3535