Dear Friends:

Stronger Neighborhoods

This week I had the great pleasure of joining the citizens of two of Baltimore's strong neighborhoods for a Community Walk-through and a Citizen on Patrol (COP) walk. These community walks are a welcome opportunity for me to meet with residents to discuss issues, and they also provide accountability and help our city agencies respond better to neighborhood concerns and deliver critical city resources to citizens.

On Tuesday, I met with residents of East Arlington and Ashburton for a Community Walk-through to identify and resolve neighborhood issues. City police, public works and transportation officials were also on hand to assist residents’ concerns. On Wednesday, I joined a COP walk organized by Charles Village residents. COP walks provide a safe way for citizens to come together and address crime in our neighborhoods and build better relationships with their uniformed patrol officers and police district commanders.

These are just a couple of examples of how we can strengthen our neighborhoods from the ground up and address the difficult challenges that face our City. With neighborhoods working together, we can continue to make progress and make Baltimore a better place to live. If you would like to join a Community Walk-through or COP walk, contact your neighborhood association. And if your neighborhood needs help to organize a walk, contact my office at CouncilPresident@baltimorecity.gov or 410-396-4804, and our community outreach team will work with you.

9-11 Run to Remember

Next Thursday, September 11th at 7:00am more than 700 people will participate in the St. Joseph Medical Center 9/11 Run to Remember. The 7th Annual 5K Run honors the victims and fallen heroes of September 11th and benefits the Baltimore Police Foundation and Baltimore Fire Department. The event is presented by Charm City Run and is the only race in the country held on September 11th.

In July, I challenged Mayor Sheila Dixon and State's Attorney Patricia Jessamy to encourage everyone in their offices to register and participate in the 9/11 run. The three offices will compete in three categories: fastest time, highest number of participants, and highest percentage of participation from each office.

The deadline for online registration is tomorrow morning at 10 AM, and registrations will be accepted before the race. Go to http://charmcityrun.com/eventdetail.cfm?eventid=783 for more information.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

19th Annual Big Band Night Out in East Arlington Ashburton Big Band Night Out is an annual partnership between the East Arlington Ashburton Neighborhood Association and Baltimore City Recreation and Parks. Each year, “Baltimore’s Big Band” directed by Charles Funn provides a backdrop of jazzy sounds for East Arlington Ashburton’s biggest community event and networking opportunity. During this year’s Big Band Night Out, City Council President Rawlings-Blake joined East Arlington Ashburton Neighborhood Association President Jonathan Greene in honoring community members, who have dedicated themselves to serving not only the community association, but the entire neighborhood. Council President Rawlings-Blake honored Earl El-Amin, Eliza Cooper (not pictured but represented by her daughter), John Scott, Charles Green and Jerome Saunders with City Council resolutions celebrating their dedication to their neighborhood. In addition, Councilwoman Sharon Green Middleton honored the entire East Arlington Ashburton Neighborhood Association with a resolution recognizing the 19th Annual Big Band Night Out. 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, September 8, 2008

Voting Session: Education Committee, Mary Pat Clarke - Chair
11:45 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0057R Informational Hearing - Baltimore City Public School System - Preparedness for the 2008-2009 School Year

Voting Session: Community Development Subcommittee, William H. Cole IV - Chair
11:55 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0096 Public Parks, Squares, etc. - Closure Requirements

Voting Session: Urban Affairs and Aging Committee, Agnes Welch - Chair
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0028 Urban Renewal - Key Highway East Industrial Area - Amendment

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

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Hearing: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee, James Kraft - Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0064 Scrap Metal Processors - Second-Hand Property Dealers - Reporting Requirements

10:05 AM
08-0186 Scrap - Collectors, Scavengers, Processors, and Others - Penalties

10:15 AM
08-0091 Pawnbrokers - Dealers in Second - Hand Property, etc. - Daily Reports

10:30 AM
08-0130 City Property - Naming the Clubhouse at forest Park Golf Course to be the Rawlings-Fulton Clubhouse

10:45 AM
08-0140 Solid Waste, Garbage, and Mixed Refuse - Hours of Collection

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Hearing: Land Use and Transportation Committee, Edward Reisinger- Chair
1:00 PM
08-0133 Zoning - Conditional Use Nonprofit Home and Transitional Housing Facility for the Care and Custody of Homeless Persons - 1801 Falls Road

1:15 PM
08-0134 Zoning - Conditional Use Nonprofit Home and Transitional Housing Facility for the Care and Custody of Homeless Persons - 2031 St. Paul Street

Hearing: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee, James Kraft - Chair
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
LO08-0017 The State of Preparedness for Election Day 2008
This hearing will be broadcast live on TV25.

Community Events

UKRAINIAN FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER 6-7 Patterson Park, Linwood and Eastern Avenues, Saturday noon-10 pm and Sunday noon-9 pm. A celebration featuring four dance groups, Ukrainian Easter Eggs demonstration, musicians, traditional crafts, Ukrainian beer garden and children's activities. 410-687-3465. www.ukrainianfestival.net. PIGTOWN FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER 6 700-800 blocks of Washington Blvd. 11am-5pm . Baltimore’s only community festival wild enough to bring you the “Running of the Pigs!” Live music on stage featuring reggae, Southern rock, jazz, blues, folk and more.Unique local artisans and a huge selection of food, and the Pooch Pageant. www.pigtownfestival.com

 

SEPTEMBER IS PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS MONTH Benefit Concert Starring Patti LaBelle - Saturday, September 6, Pier Six Concert Pavilion on at 7:30 p.m. For ticket information, please call 1-800-547-SEAT. The Great Prostate Cancer Challenge 5K Run/1 Mile Fun Walk, Sunday, September 14, 2008, St. Joseph Medical Center, 7601 Osler Drive, Towson, MD. To register for the run, please visit www.greatprostatecancerchallenge.com. Throughout October, free prostate cancer screenings will also be offered at the following local churches: October 4th – New Shiloh Baptist Church October 5th – New Antioch Baptist Church October 5th – New Psalmist Baptist Church October 12th – Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church October 19th – Empowerment Temple Early detection helps beat the odds against prostate cancer, so don’t miss this life-saving opportunity to take advantage of these free screenings. For more information or to schedule a screening, please call Nancy Cromwell at 443-738-8185.

 

Friday, September 5

First Fridays in Canton
The Can Company, 2400 Boston St., 5pm
Free outdoor live music and happy hour deals at participating Can Company restaurants.
Music by: Junkyard Saints

Coldspring Community Concert: Music in the Trees
Coldspring Community Center, 4800 Tamarind Rd. 6:30pm-8pm.

Summer Sounds at the Square
Belvedere Square, 6-9pm
Free outdoor concert featuring: The Voodudes

Saturday, September 6

Meet and Greet Reception w/artist Larry Poncho Brown, "DUALITY + ISMS" Art Exhibition
The Atrium at Market Center, 118 N. Howard St. 6pm-8pm, Exhibit runs through the 27th. rsvp@sbastudios.com

Art on the Gwynns Falls Trail
Leakin Park, through November 22. 7th annual free public art exhibit featuring guided tours, interactive art displays, and performances and over 20 sculptural installations

Sunday, September 7

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

Tal and Moran Exhibition Opening, Dateline Israel: New Photography and Video Art
The Jewish Museum of Maryland, 15 Lloyd St., 12pm-4pm. Gillian Laub will talk about her work. Israeli dancing and kosher refreshments to follow. Free admission. 410-732-6400.

Tuesday, September 9

Knit-In for Literacy & 5% Community Day at Whole Foods Mt. Washington
8am-10pm, shop at the Whole Foods in Mt. Washington and 5% of the sales will be donated to the Adult Literacy and ESOL program at Greater Homewood Community Corporation and the Knit-In for Literacy will be held throughout the day. www.greaterhomewood.org

Just for Teens: Checkers Champs: a checkers tournament
Enoch Pratt's Cherry Hill Branch, 606 Cherry Hill Rd., 3pm. Free.

Wednesday, September 10

Films on the Pier
Fells Point Broadway Pier, 8:45 pm
Featured film: We Are Together

Thursday, September 11

St. Joseph Medical Center Run To Remember 5k Run and 1 Mile Walk
Baltimore City Police Headquarters, 601 E. Fayette Street, 7:00 am. More information and online registration at www.charmcityrun.com

Upcoming/Ongoing

BUYING INTO BALTIMORE Homebuying Fair/Neighborhood Tours: Eastern Region Get $3,000 toward the purchase of your new home in Baltimore City!* Saturday, September 13, Baltimore City College High School, 3220 The Alameda, Baltimore, MD 21218, 9am–2pm. Educational Workshops - Learn about the homebuying process and city incentive programs. Homebuying Fair - Meet with mortgage lenders, real rstate agents, developers neighborhood organizations and more! Neighborhood Tours - Choose from 4 different tours and view sample homes for sale. Take a guided bus tour or drive a tour yourself with provided directions. FREE ADMISSION. Register online at www.livebaltimore.com/bibeast or call 410-637-3750. *$3,000 awards to 50 participants who possess a valid homeownership counseling certificate and close on a house within 90 days of the event! Click here for more information.) Contracts signed prior to September 13, 2008 will not be eligible for the award funds.

 

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. Attention Principals And Teachers: Free Educational Field Trips To Port Discovery Children's Museum Funding is available for over 13,000 children, Pre-K to 5th Grade. Exhibits and programs are aligned with Maryland State Voluntary School Curriculum and Maryland Reading Readiness Program. Pre and post lesson plans are available. To register, call 410.864.2664 or email kgulick@portdiscovery.org.

 

Volunteers Needed for the 13th Annual Baltimore Book Festival, Sept. 26-28, Mt. Vernon. Visit www.myvolunteerpage.com or email BOPAvolunteer@promotionandarts.com to obtain a volunteer application. Festival hours: Friday 5-9pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am-7pm. The mid-Atlantic's premier celebration of the literary arts. www.baltimorebookfestival.org