Baltimore City Council website
"Investing Where Baltimore Lives"
September 14, 2007

Dear Friends:

I am proud to serve the people of Baltimore with Mayor Dixon for the next four years. I know that my colleagues on the City Council share our commitment to tackle the challenges that lie ahead. As the legislative branch of City government, we on the City Council will respond to our constituents’ concerns by advocating for them with City agencies, and seek legislative remedies where appropriate. We will also lobby our state and federal elected officials on behalf of our districts in the diverse neighborhoods of Baltimore.

We will make government work where we live—in our neighborhoods. We will continue to develop homeownership opportunities in the City, because Baltimore cannot afford to wait for affordable housing. We will expand programs like the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative, to revitalize communities on the edge of instability—and the Community Restoration program that allows City homeowners in healthy neighborhoods to renovate and restore their homes, making them more energy efficient and increasing property values.

We will open and fully fund 30 more recreation centers in Baltimore within the next four years, to ensure that our young people have access to positive activities and guidance during the most vulnerable years of their lives.

We will redouble our efforts to reduce violent crime in Baltimore by working closely with city agencies and criminal justice partners to develop comprehensive coordinated strategies to improve public safety.

Together, we will be successful when city leaders and city residents share our expertise and unite toward the same goals: a cleaner, safer, and thriving Baltimore that we can all be proud to call our home, where the promise to the next generation continues to be brighter than the one that came before.

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.

Theater Group Donates to Baer School for Disabled Students

Humpday Wednesday will be a very happy Wednesday for staff and students at the William S. Baer School, which serves severely disabled students. On September 19, The Paint and Powder Club will present the Baer School with a check for $41,850. The award is the proceeds from the club’s annual original theatrical production. This year’s show, "Mustang Margie" was a record-breaker. It was held in May. For nearly 115 years, The Paint and Powder Club has raised money for local charities.

The Baer School was founded in 1933 for students with polio. Now, it serves children with multiple disabilities, ages 3-21 years old.

New School Police Chief to Improve Safety in City Schools

Best wishes to new Baltimore City Public School System Police Chief Marshall "Toby" Goodwin. He will oversee 117 sworn school police officers with a mission to promote a safe, civil and orderly learning environment for the BCPSS. Chief Goodwin says the School Police will actively engage in relationship building that is crucial to the success of the Comprehensive Safety Plan. He is a a former state delegate, former assistant public safety director at Baltimore City Community College, and an alumnus of Edmondson High School. He is also a 2000 graduate of the FBI National Academy.

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, September 17

City Council Meeting
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
The Council meeting will be broadcast live on Cable TV 25.
VIEW DRAFT AGENDA

Tuesday, September 18

Hearing: Highways and Franchises Subcommittee, Ken Harris - Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0699 Street Encroachment - 1901 Elgin Avenue

Community Events

September 14-16

1st Annual Men’s Blue Suit Health Awareness Weekend
 Spotlight on Men’s Health: Men and women are asked to wear blue apparel and accessories to draw attention to the need to promote men's health and fitness.
More information or call Doc Cheatham at 410-669-8683

September 14-15

Irish Festival
Canton Waterfront Park, Boston Street and Ellwood Avenue
Friday 6-9 pm, Saturday, noon-9 pm Info: 410-396-1000

September 15-16

2007 Portfest
2310 Broening Highway, 10am-4pm
Free tours of the Port of Baltimore, one of the nation’s busiest ports. Tour terminals, board the historic John Brown Liberty Ship, info booths and more.
410-385-4480

Saturday, September 15

Hampdenfest
36th Street in Hampden 11 am- 7pm

The William E. Proudford Sickle Cell Fund 2nd Annual Fundraiser
Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, 202 E. Pratt St. 6pm
Featuring Dr. Robin L. Smith, from the Oprah Winfrey Show.
Tickets $60 443-629-0187 Tanesha

First Annual Lead Sled Festival
Farring-Baybrook Park, 4501 Farring Court, 10 am-2 pm
A classic car show to benefit the restoration of the Polish Home Hall in Curtis Bay, featuring music by Dagmar and the Seductones and Cathy Ponton King. $10 classic car entry fee. 410-355-1100

Stop Underage Smoking and Drinking Shout Out!
Clarence "Du" Burns Arena, 1301 S. Ellwood Avenue at Boston St. 9 am-3pm
This is a special event for youth ages 10-17 to educate and inform young people of the health and safety risks associated with smoking and drinking. Featuring Dr. Gaynell Colburn, percussionist, vocalist and motivational speaker. She is a paraplegic who was a victim of a drunk driver. Demonstrations, Lunch and Giveaways. For more information contact Sharon Williams, Coordinator 410-521-7001 or info@mulba.org

Friends of the Waverly Pratt Library Branch Bookfest
400 E. 33rd St. 11am-4pm
410-889-6484

The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore’s Reggae and Brew Festival
2pm-6pm Admission charge
410-366-LION (5466) www.marylandzoo.org

Butcher’s Hill Flea Market and Craft Fair
Patterson Park (Luzerne and Baltimore St. entrance) 9am-3pm
Free admission www.butchershill.org

Mt. Vernon Ghost Tours
Beginning September 15, 7pm at the Belvedere Hotel.
Details at www.baltimoreghosttours.com

Port Discovery Kick-Off of 5th Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration: We Are All Connected
Port Discovery, the Children's Museum in Baltimore, 35 Market Place
10 am to 5 pm
The Kick-Off will feature wonderful activities, including:
Brush Strokes, Mayan Murals, Capoeira workshops, Latin American Jeopardy, Latin Dance Classes, Spanish-only circle times and more!
Hispanic Heritage Celebration runs from September 15 – October 14. Be sure to enjoy the month-long event at Port Discovery!
Also:
Port Discovery Healthy First Saturday: Cook & Tell with The American Heart Association
Listen to a special story and join The American Heart Association in making a tasty treat.

Drop-In Hands-On Art Activities: People of the Sun
in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month
Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St.
Saturdays through September 30
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Walters Art Museum and Port Discovery Children's Museum are collaborating to uncover the secrets of the people of central and southern America.  Create art inspired by the ancient American peoples' masks, vessles, and golden treasures during our Saturday drop-in program.
Details at www.thewalters.org

Sunday, September 16

Baltimore Museum of Art Free Family Sundays
10 Art Museum Drive, 410-573-1700
http://www.artbma.org/families/sundays.html

Monday, September 17

Adult Literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Greater Homewood Community Corporation is offering Adult Literacy and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Fall classes for adults begin the first week in October. Free basic reading and math classes, and low-cost English for Speakers of Other Languages. Registration begins September 17th from 10 am-12 pm and September 18th from 6-8 pm at University Baptist Church, 3501 North Charles Street, Lower Level. Near buses 3, 11, 22, and 61.

Download Spanish registration form
Download French registration form
Download Korean registration form

Tuesday, September 18

Take A Loved One to the Doctor Day
Free health screenings, health information and talk with insurance providers, Maryland General Hospital, 827 Linden Ave.
Free 410-225-8390

Free Jazz Concert Downtown
Center Plaza in City Center, 5:30pm
410-244-1030 www.godowntownbaltimore.com

Wednesday, September 19

Workshop: How to Help Community (feral and stray) Cats
SPCA, 3300 Falls Rd., 7pm Free.

Thursday, September 20

Presentation: "How To Start An After-School Program"
The AfterSchool Institute, 2 East Read St., 3rd floor 3pm-4:30pm
www.afterschoolinstitute.org/TASI/aboutn/calendar.aspx

Thursday, September 20 - Wednesday, October 3

High Zero Festival of Experimental and Improvised Music
Featuring concerts at Theatre Project, 45 W. Preston St., sound installations at Current Space, 30 S. Calvert St. and music workshops at various locations. Details at www.highzero.org
Upcoming/Ongoing

Salvation Army Holiday Assistance Programs
The Salvation Army is holding walk-in registrations for its Holiday Assistance Programs, September 10-28, 9am-3pm. Bring a photo ID, proof of income and residency and Social Security cards for all household members. 410-783-2920. Details at www.tsabaltimore.org

Fences, a play by August Wilson
Vagabond Players, 806 S. Broadway. Weekends through September 30.
Tickets $15 410-563-9135

FOR TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS

Port Discovery: Free Grant-Paid Field Trips
Call to reserve your free field trip while funds last. Pre-K to 5th grades. Money provided by Maryland Board of Education. Port Discovery offers free school in-services, free school guides, free lesson plans, free book and website listings to support teachers. Call (410) 864-2664 or e-mail kgulick@portdiscovery.org.
Details at www.portdiscovery.org

Homeschoolers: Call Port Discovery to reserve your free educational field trips on Friday afternoons at Port Discovery in September! Money provided by Maryland Board of Education. 2 hours free, 3 hours $2.75. Space and funds limited. Hours 1pm-3pm or 1pm-4pm. Must call to reserve space.

Korean American Festival
September 22, War Memorial Plaza 410-625-2442

CommUNITYFEST 2007
September 22, sponsored by Lexington Market and the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), 11am-3pm, free health screenings, information booths and more. 410-685-6169

Fall Bridal Showcase
September 23, Sheraton North Baltimore, 903 Dulaney Valley Rd., 410-321-7400

Triad SALT (Seniors & Law Enforcement Together) Conferences
September 25 & October 2, on Senior Gang Prevention Awareness, Senior Street Safety and other topics. 9am-3pm, Sandtown-Winchester Senior Center. Registration is required. Contact Ms. Collins at 410-396-7724 or Ms. Hall at 410-396-9025.

MTA Citizens’ Advisory Council Meeting on the Red Line Corridor Transit Study
September 27, 7pm-9pm, Harlem Park Middle School, 1500 Harlem Avenue.
The Red Line is a proposed 10.5 mile east-west transit line connecting the Woodlawn area of Baltimore County, Edmondson Village in Baltimore City, West Baltimore communities, downtown Baltimore and the communities in the vicinity of the Inner Harbor East and Fells Point/Patterson Park and Canton.

Baltimore Book Festival
September 28 - 30, Mount Vernon Place, 600 block of North Charles Street.
Line-up includes Poet Nikki Giovanni, White House Chef Walter Scheib, soap actress Victoria Rowell and more. To volunteer email BOPAvolunteer@promotionandarts.com
Details at www.baltimorebookfestival.com.

Actor Roscoe Orman (Sesame Street’s Gordon) reads his new book, Ricky & Mobo
September 29, 11am, Southeast Anchor Library.

Historic Federal Hill Street Beat Festival
Sunday, September 30, 2007 11am to 7pm
S. Charles & Cross Streets in Historic Federal Hill.

Fells Point Fun Festival
October 6 and 7

Columbus Day Parade
October 7, Mt Vernon Place
Parade steps off at 2pm

Walk to D'Feet ALS
Sunday, October 14, 2007 Druid Hill Park, 10 am
Lace up your shoes and help the ALS Association-DC/MD/VA Chapter fight Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Participants raise crucial funds that allow the ALS Association to offer programs and support to local ALS patients and families and to support national research projects. Phone: 866-348-3257 Details at www.ALSinfo.org

Russian Festival
October 19-21, Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, 1723 E. Fairmount Ave.

Open Studio Tour
October 20-21 Noon - 5pm, School 33 Art Center, 1427 Light Street, 410-396-4641.
Visitors observe more than 100 of Baltimore's visual artists in their local studios during this annual tour. Bus tours available.