Dear Friends:

Today was the last day for our YouthWorks workers who have held summer positions in my office.  I found the students to be energetic, committed and professional. During the past six weeks, the students had the opportunity to witness firsthand how City government works, as well as peronally assist with our community outreach, constituent services and public relations efforts.
I would like to share their comments about their YouthWorks experience with you:

Dshawn Harris, Maritime Industries Academy High School
"I learned about Constituent Services, which I think has the most difficult job in the office because they take a lot of housing complaints such as Section 8, public housing, lead, mold, etc. Their job is challenging because they try to get people's problems solved by connecting them with the right city agencies."

Tenia Saunders, Mergenthaler Vocational Technical School
"I had a great experience with Mr. Babila Lima on Wednesday, July 30 when we attended a Board of Estimates meeting. The Board of Estimates makes final decisions on City contracts, and it was interesting to see the process they go through."

Kiara Stubbs, Western High School
"Working at City Hall has been by far my most amazing work experience. This job is a great asset to my resumé, but it has also been good for the growth of my professionalism and character. I feel like all educated students should know exactly what goes on at City Hall, and I have had the pleasure of learning."

The YouthWorks program is administered by the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, which directs workforce development initiatives responsive to the needs of Baltimore City employers and job seekers to enhance and promote the local economy. This summer, through Mayor Dixon’s “Summer Jobs are Everybody’s Business” outreach initiative, YouthWorks was able to place over 6800 teens in summer jobs in Baltimore. Employers, community organizations, foundations, state and city agencies, and individual citizens invested in Baltimore's teens by supporting YouthWorks and connecting them to meaningful summer activities. This illustrates the power of community partnerships, collaborating to invest in Baltimore’s youth. This is an investment that will pay for itself many times over in fulfilling the potential of our city's young people.

It is so important for young people to benefit from the generosity of donors that make life-changing opportunities like this possible. It’s a special pleasure for me as an adult, to be able to share my experience with a new generation of students, as many others did for me. And I can tell you if our summer youth workers are representative of the spirit and commitment of the new generation, then our future is in very capable hands.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

For more information on the YouthWorks program, you can call 410-396-6722 or visit www.oedworks.com

The Hamilton Community Celebrates Another Successful Summer Festival The 15th Annual Hamilton Street Festival & Classic Car Show was held Saturday, July 26. Classic Chevys, Fords and other cars with hoods up and engines gleaming, lined the 5400-5500 blocks of Harford Road. Festivalgoers braved the heat to enjoy live music, games, arts & crafts, children's activities and food and drinks. Vendors and organizations were on hand representing their goods and services. The event was sponsored by the Hamilton Business Association, The Mustang Club of Maryland, Hamilton Federal Bank and MECU. Baltimore Housing Community Action Partnership's Geriatric Nursing Assistant Training Program Celebrates Graduation On July 12, 2008, 21 students graduated from the Baltimore Housing Community Action Partnership's Geriatric Nursing Assistant Training Program. The classes took place at the Northwest Community Action Center, 3939 Reisterstown Road. The purpose of the program is to train 25 low-income residents of Baltimore City and place them in the workforce. These adult learners participated in a 125-hour program with 60 hours of theory, 25 hours of lab, and 40 hours of clinical education. The average starting salary range is $9.80-$11.20 per hour. The classes start with 25 students. This is a great opportunity for persons to persons seeking to get into the healthcare industry and those looking to improve their employment status. For more information on this program and others available to low-income families in Baltimore City, email Human_Services@baltimorecity.gov or call 410-396-3228. Send us the good news about your Baltimore neighborhood! Do you have a neighborhood event or good news you would like to highlight? Let us know so that we can feature them in the Council President's CitySpot. Call Council President Rawlings-Blake's office at 410-396-4804 or send an e-mail to Marva Williams at marva.williams@baltimorecity.gov

City Council This Week

Monday, August 11

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

Wednesday, August 13

Hearing: Executive Appointments Committee, Robert Curran – Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
EA08-0094 Marilynn K. Duker Member - Board of Finance - 5th District

Community Events

FESTAFRICA 2008: August 9-10 Patterson Park, noon-8pm, a Nigerian festival with traditional food, crafts and art, info@nyamaryland.org. Donations are welcomed.

 

VIRGIN MOBILE FESTIVAL: August 9-10 Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Ave. Both days 10am-10pm. Largest music and arts festival on the East Coast, featuring Foo Fighters, Jack Johnson, Kanye West, Nine Inch Nails, Stone Temple Pilots, Bob Dylan, Chuck Berry, Wilco and more. www.virginmobilefestival.com

Friday, August 8

Little Italy Outdoor Film Festival
High and Stiles Streets, Little Italy, 9pm. This year's festival continues presenting feature-length Italian-themed films on consecutive Friday evenings outdoors in the heart of Little Italy. Free and open to the public. Folding chairs are provided on a first come-first serve basis, although attendees may wish to bring a lawn chair to assure seating comfort and availability.
Featured film: Life is Beautiful

Summer Sounds at the Square
Belvedere Square, 6-9pm
Free outdoor concert featuring: Sons of Pirates

Saturday, August 9

12th District Constituents Picnic hosted by Councilman Bernard “Jack” Young
Clifton Park Pool, 2013 Sinclair Lane, 12pm-5pm. Summertime fun for all 12th District constituents. Hot dogs, hamburgers and sodas provided while it lasts. 410-396-4811.

Friends of Druid Hill Park Workday
Druid Hill Park-World War I Grove of Remembrance just north of the Zoo, between the Zoo entrance and Greenspring Avenue, 9am-12 noon. The Friends will be joining Baltimore Park Rangers to mulch the venerable trees in this nearly 90-year-old grove. Said to be the oldest living memorial in the United States, the Grove of Remembrance was planted by the Gold Star Mothers to honor the fallen sons of WW I. Info: Anne.Draddy@BaltimoreCity.gov or 410-926-4195, or Mike Gaffney of the Friends of Druid Hill Park at 410-897-7460 and MJGaffney712000@yahoo.com.

Summer Live! Harborplace & The Gallery's Summer Concert
Inner Harbor Amphitheatre. Featuring: Donegal X-Press (Irish Rock)

Youth Festival for Slain Children
Frederick Ave. and Font Hill Ave. (2800 block of Frederick Ave.), 12pm-8pm. A march, fashion show, free school supplies and free food. 443-683-7713.

Rec and Parks Outdoors Summer Concert Series
Bergner Park, 3401 West North Avenue, noon-8 PM (410) 396-7900
Featuring: Rush Hour Band

Saturday Sunsets at the Top of the World
World Trade Center, 401 E. Pratt St., 27th Floor
Enjoy live jazz with a birds-eye view of the Baltimore skyline.
www.viewbaltimore.org 410-837-VIEW.
Featuring: One Accord

Sunday, August 10

BMA Family Free Sundays
Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Dr., 410-338-4397. www.artbma.org

Summer Live! Harborplace & The Gallery's Summer Concert
Harborplace & The Gallery is excited to bring a variety of musical acts to Baltimore’s Inner Harbor Amphitheatre. Featuring: Mr. Groove (Roots, Blues & Jazz)

Tuesday, August 12

Mayor Dixon’s Neighborhood Conversation
Loyola College, Andrew White Student Hall, 4501 N. Charles St. 6pm-8pm.

Wednesday, August 13

Wednesday Lunch and Leisure Series: Mardi Gras
Noon-1pm, War Memorial Plaza (directly across from City Hall). Hosted by Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks. Enjoy live jazz music, cajun food and Mardi Gras beads. Free. 410-396-7900.

Friends of Druid Hill Park Summer Celebration Potluck Picnic
Druid Hill Park-World War I Grove of Remembrance just north of the Zoo, between the Zoo entrance and Greenspring Avenue, 6:30–8:00 pm. This gathering is free and open to all. After some brief business, we'll enjoy mingling and music. Bring a chair or blanket, a dish to share and a serving implement. Plates, napkins, utensils and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided. friendsofdruidhillpark@gmail.com.

Center Plaza Outdoor Film Series
Hopkins Plaza, films start at sunset (around 9 PM)
Park opens at 7pm. Bring blankets, snacks, beverages. The park has chairs and tables for use off the lawn. Porto-Sans will be available for restrooms. Stop by Coburn’s Tavern for dinner and the Taharka Brothers kiosk for ice cream. Phone: 410-244-1030
Featured film: Epic Movie

"Do-It-Yourself" Interior Design Class
Enoch Pratt Central Library, 400 Cathedral St., 6pm-7:30pm. Hosted by Live Baltimore, Pre-register. at www.livebaltimore.com

Films on the Pier
Fells Point Broadway Pier, 8:45 pm
The Sound Garden and Su Casa present films every Wednesday this summer on the Broadway Pier in Fells Point. BYOC-bring your own chair! Screenings on a 300 square ft. jumbo screen with professional sound. In case of rainouts, movies will be shown on Thursdays.
Featured film: The Birds

Upcoming/Ongoing

More Medical Assistance for Maryland Families through the Working Families and Small Business Health Coverage Act During the recent Maryland legislative session, state lawmakers passed the Working Families and Small Business Health Coverage Act, which expands medical assistance eligibility to parents with dependent children with annual incomes up to $20,500 for a family of three. Parents and relatives caring for children can also apply to receive free comprehensive health care coverage, including doctor visits, low cost or free prescriptions and other services. Get more information at 1-800-456-8900, your local health department or www.marylandSAIL.org. Maryland Science Center Offers Transportation Grants to Maryland Schools Grants are to help offset travel costs on field trips during the school year. Any Maryland school booking and completing a visit in September, October, November or December can apply for a grant of $100 for use toward bus transportation. $100 grants are on a first-come first-served basis and limited to one grant per reservation. Limited funds are available. Call 410-685-5225.