Dear Friends:

This week, the Baltimore City Council lost a member of our family. We are all deeply saddened by the tragic and senseless killing of former Councilman Kenneth N. Harris. On behalf of the entire City Council, our thoughts and prayers are with Ken's family during this very difficult time. Ken was a dedicated public servant who always put the interests of his constituents first. He was always a gentleman and a true servant to the citizens of Baltimore. At this week’s City Council meeting we recognized Ken's work with an official resolution honoring his commitment and contributions to our city. We have also created a special tribute website where citizens can contribute reflections on Ken's life and words of comfort to his family. As former Councilman Keiffer Mitchell said at Monday’s Council meeting: "Ken didn't leave us, he was taken from us." We owe it to Ken and his family to bring those responsible for this sensless crime to justice. The police can't do it alone: they need the community to help.

Perhaps the best antidote to our grief and confusion over Ken’s passing is to re-dedicate our efforts to our shared vision for Baltimore: Better Schools, Safer Streets and Stronger Neighborhoods. We can all honor Ken’s memory by making progress toward achieving these goals. To this end, on Monday the City Council passed significant legislation to address property crime in Baltimore. The measure requires pawnshops and secondhand dealers to report transactions electronically to the Baltimore City Police Department. This new ordinance will help our police detectives solve property crimes and make our neighborhoods safer and stronger. Similar efforts in the Washington area have helped police recover millions of dollars in stolen property and arrest criminal suspects. It is my hope that this bill will become a model for statewide legislation.

On Monday I also introduced a resolution calling for gang-related violence training for Baltimore City Public School teachers. The resolution asks the school system to develop a program for teachers to provide them with the tools to recognize gang-related violence, identify youth most at-risk for gang recruitment, and to provide intervention resources and law enforcement interaction. The simple fact is that our schools must be safe in order for children to learn. With these new measures in place, we can make our schools safe and free of gang violence.

I think that Ken Harris would approve of his former colleagues' efforts on the City Council on behalf of public education and public safety. In his many years of public life, Ken Harris worked hard to stem the tide of violent crime in our city and provide opportunities for our young people, and I can think of no more fitting tribute to his memory than for all Baltimore residents to work together and commit to make our city a place where young people can fulfill their dreams and where all citizens are able to prosper.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

NBA Star Carmelo Anthony Presents Gold Medals to BCPSS Teachers Not long after his Olympic gold win in Beijing, NBA star Carmelo Anthony brought the gold home—to Baltimore—to share with students and teachers at two city schools. Inner Harbor East Academy for Young Scholars School #329 and the Crossroads School #323 hosted Anthony’s homecoming event three weeks ago at The Carmelo Anthony Center. Hundreds of students screamed with joy as Anthony flashed his Olympic gold medal. Anthony also placed replica gold medals around the necks of coaches and teachers from both schools. Baltimore Talent Development High School Teacher to Represent Maryland in National History Contest This summer Thomas Acampora captured the title of Maryland’s 2008 History Teacher of the Year. The 24-year-old teacher at Baltimore Talent Development High School in West Baltimore received $1,000 in cash, a plaque and books and other educational resources that were donated to the school's library in his name. Acampora will represent the state in a national history teacher competition later this fall. "Teachers always feel unappreciated," Acampora said. He added, "It's amazing to feel appreciated. I really love what I do." Now in its fifth year, the History Teacher of the Year award is designed to promote and celebrate the teaching of American history in classrooms across the United States. The "Preserve America History Teacher of the Year" program is a project of the Preserve America White House Initiative and is sponsored by The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. The goal of the program is to encourage Americans to appreciate and protect the United States' cultural and national heritage. Send us the good news about your Baltimore City public school! Do you 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 marva.williams@baltimorecity.gov

City Council This Week

Wednesday, October 1

Hearing: Land Use and Transportation Committee, Ed Reisinger - Chair
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0166 Planned Unit Development - Designation - The State Center - Transit Oriented Development Business Planned Unit Development

Thursday, October 2

Hearing: Taxation, Finance And Economic Development Committee, Helen Holton – Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0088 Sale of Property - 712 Cathedral Street

10:30 AM
08-0099 Sale of Property - SES Roland Heights Avenue SWC Evans Chapel Road (Block 4917, Lot 18)

11:00 AM
08-0145 Minimum, Prevailing, and Living Wages - Penalties

11:30 AM
08-0146 Prevailing Wages for Work Under Construction Contracts - Living Wages for Work Under Service Contractse

Community Events

BALTIMORE BOOK FESTIVAL -SEPT. 26-28 Mount Vernon Place, 600 block of North Charles Street. Friday 5-9pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am-7pm. The mid-Atlantic's premier celebration of the literary arts. www.baltimorebookfestival.org BALTIMORE COMIC-CON - SEPT. 27-28 Baltimore Convention Center, One West Pratt Street. Saturday 10-6, Sunday 10-5. Comic-Con features renowned comic book artists and publishers, and panel discussions and exhibits on the comic book industry. www.baltimorecomiccon.com

Friday, September 26

Business Plan Workshop
Small Business Resource Center, Johns Hopkins @ Eastern Campus, 1101 E. 33rd Street, Suite C307. 10am-12pm. Info: 443-451-7160.

Saturday, September 27

Greater Lauraville Fair

Fall Fleet Street Fling
1900 block of Fleet Street, Fells Point. 11am-5pm.

Open the Door to Your Past
Enoch Pratt Library-Herring Run Branch, 3801 Erdman Ave., 2pm-4pm. Learn how to conduct genealogy research by computer. To register, 410-396-0996.

Green Jobs Now Job Fair
Clifton Park, 2801 St. Lo Dr., 10am-12pm, www.greenjobsnow.com or 410-319-7204.

2nd Annual Recovery Walk & Rally
The Lord’s Church, 5010 Park Heights Ave., 8am-2pm. Walk ends at Druid Hill Park, guest speakers, children’s fun zone, free food and more. 410-664-4300.

Old Fashioned Block Party
Immanuel Lutheran Church (back parking lot) Loch Raven Blvd & East Belvedere, 12pm-5pm. Hosted by the Loch Raven Improvement Association.

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

Sunday, September 28

Federal Hill Street Beat Festival
S. Charles and Cross Streets, 11am-7pm. Fifteen bands will play on three stages throughout the day, featuring an eclectic mix of bands and an exciting musical headliner. Stroll along the tree-lined streets of Historic Federal Hill, eat, drink, browse among the many booths in a celebration of city living. www.historicfederalhill.org

Mt. Washington Village Wine, Art and Jazz Festival
Newbury Street & Sulgrave Avenue, 11am-6pm. Live music, antique & exotic cars, children’s activities and more. 410-561-0085. Info: 410-561-0065

“Bags to Riches” Live & Silent Auction to benefit Sisters Academy of Baltimore
Sponsored by the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians, Baltimore City. 2pm-6pm, For tickets call Mollie McDonnell at 410-461-5239.

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

Thursday, October 2

WTMD First Thursday Concert in the Park
West Mt. Vernon Place, 5:30 pm (Last Concert of the Season!)
Featuring: The Oranges Band and Caleb Stine and the Brakemen

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. 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.

Power of Parents and Partners in School (P.O.P.S. Program) is a new program to encourage and address the needs of students who are expecting or parenting teens who have dropped out and want to return to school. Developed by the Laurence G. Paquin School. 410-396-9398/9399.

October is Kids' Month in Downtown Baltimore. Every weekend will have a family-friendly theme with events and activities throughout Downtown. Downtown attractions and museums will also be offering special discounts and events throughout the month providing families the perfect opportunity to experience all Downtown Baltimore has to offer. Visit KidsLoveDowntownBaltimore.com for details.

FreeFall Baltimore kicks-off Oct. 1 through Oct. 31. Over 70 of the city’s culture and art institutions offer free programs. www.freefallbaltimore.com

First Fridays at The Walters, Oct. 3, 5pm-9pm, The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St. Celebrating the cultures of ancient Persia, Rome, Greece, Egypt and more with food, music and belly dancing.

Fell’s Point Fun Festival, Oct. 4-5, arts & crafts, historic ships, classic car show and more. www.preservationsociety.com

Harbor Harvest, a free family event hosted by Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance and the Waterfront Partnership, Oct. 4, 10am-2pm, located at the West Shore Park at the Inner Harbor. www.dbfam.org/

Hillen Road Improvement Association Flea Market, Oct. 4, 8am – 2pm. Corner of Loch Raven and Cold Spring Ln. $15 fee. Contact HRIA at 443-824-1637.

Registration underway for Adult Literacy and ESOL classes in reading, writing and math, offered by the Greater Homewood Community Corporation. Register for ESOL classes Sept. 29-30, 10am-12pm and 6pm-8pm. Casses begin Oct. 6. 410-261-3524.

Open Minds is Creative Alliance's free book-based after school program. New visual and performing arts courses, including mural painting, photography, music production and break dancing are beginning at Wolfe Street Academy, Hampstead Hill, Collington Square and with EBLO- Mi Segunda Casa at John Ruhrah. Call Karen Summerville at 410-276-1651

Hampden Flea Market needs vendors, flea market is Oct. 11, 9am-3pm, Roosevelt Park, $15 fee, contact Allen at ahicks6@verizon.net.