Dear Friends:

Baltimore's small businesses have a crucial role in the City's economic development, and I am committed to working with the small business community to cultivate a healthy business climate. Baltimore stands to gain tremendously from the many arts, dining, and entertainment venues in our city, and our service sector continues to thrive from the investments we are making today. It is our obligation to make sure that Baltimore remains an inviting place for visitors and residents to enjoy.

Applications are now being accepted to serve on the City Council's Ad Hoc Committee on Small Business. The Ad Hoc Committee on Small Business was created through City Council Resolution 99-1021R, introduced by Councilwoman Helen Holton. The Committee provides a forum to address the issues and concerns of Baltimore's small business community and develop legislative priorities. This is a great opportunity to improve communication between the small business community and City government. If you have any questions regarding the Ad Hoc Committee on Small Business, please contact Mr. Babila Lima in my office at 410-396-4804 or blima@baltimorecitycouncil.com.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

City Council This Week

Monday, October 1

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.

Thursday, October 4

Hearing: Taxation and Finance Committee, Helen Holton - Chair
10:30 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0644 Acquisition of Property - 3200 East Biddle Street (Block 6150A, Lot 004)

Hearing: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee, James Kraft - Chair
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0570 Nuisance Abatement - Community or Neighborhood Associations

Work Session/Voting Session: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee, James Kraft - Chair
2:10 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0632 Building, Fire, and Related Codes - 2007 Edition

September 28-29

12th Annual Baltimore International Rhythm Festival
St. John's Church, 27th and St. Paul Streets, Friday 8pm, Saturday 10am-7pm.
Baltimore's grooviest festival, featuring drumming workshops, performances, and an all-day drum circle.
Details at www.drumtogether.net

September 28-30

Baltimore Book Festival
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 offers well-known authors, local bookstores, publishers, children's writers, storytellers, author signings, crafts,
refreshments and entertainment. Line-up includes poet Nikki Giovanni, White House chef Walter Scheib, soap actress Victoria Rowell and more.
Details at www.baltimorebookfestival.com.

Saturday, September 29

Greater Lauraville Fair and Parade
Herring Run Park, Parkside Drive and Sinclair Lane, 11am-6pm
The fair will feature a petting zoo, food, drinks, crafts and games, along with performances by Black Cherry Puppet Theater and local bands.

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

Actor Roscoe Orman (Sesame Street’s Gordon) reads his new book, Ricky & Mobo
Southeast Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Avenue, 11am

1st Annual Recovery Walk from Alcohol and Other Addictions
The walk begins at Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 3459 Park Heights Ave and ends at Pimlico Race Course, 8am-2pm, 410-664-4300

Sunday, September 30

Historic Federal Hill Street Beat Festival
S. Charles & Cross Streets in Historic Federal Hill, 11am to 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.

Beazer Homes Annual Wine, Art, and Jazz Festival
Sulgrave Ave. and Newbury St., Mt. Washington Village
Wine samples from local wineries and beer from local breweries, cheese and breads, and music by Coldspring Jazz Quartet, Rumba Club, and Greg Hatza. 410-561-0065.

March Funeral Homes Presents Family Day in the Park
"The Bowl" at Druid Hill Park, 1pm-6pm, 410-435-0500.

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

Tuesday, October 2

Triad SALT (Seniors & Law Enforcement Together) Conferences
Hatton Senior Center, 2825 Fait St. 9am-3pm
Conferences on Senior Gang Prevention Awareness, Senior Street Safety and other topics. Registration is required. Contact Ms. Collins at 410-396-7724 or Ms. Hall at 410-396-9025.

Movies in the Plaza
Center Plaza, Charles and Fayette Streets, 8pm
Enjoy an evening under the Downtown stars in Center Plaza. Bring a blanket or a chair and grab dinner to go from nearby Charles Plaza Food Court restaurants.
Featuring: Night at the Museum (2006) PG, 108 min.

Wednesday, October 3

10th Annual Walk to School Day
The purpose of the event is to promote good health, physical activity and pedestrian safety. Every year, nearly 25,000 child pedestrians are injured by motor vehicles.

Thursday, October 4

6th Annual Fall Apple Festival
War Memorial Plaza, 11am–4pm, 410-837-5424

First Thursdays Pepsi Lunchtime Concert
Hopkins Plaza, Charles Street and Baltimore Street, Noon-2pm
Featuring: Baltimore Islanders, Steel drum & bass Info: 410.224.1030 or visit GoDowntownBaltimore.com.

First Thursday Concert in the Park
West Mount Vernon Park, 5:30pm
Featuring: Willy Porter and Mike Errico. Details at www.wtmd.org

October 4-6

25th Annual Chocolate Festival & Chocolate Eating Contests
Lexington Market, 410-685-6169

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Baltimore '68: Riots and Rebirth A formal request for proposals has been issued for the University of Baltimore's 2008 national conference, "Baltimore '68: Riots and Rebirth." This public event, recognizing the 40th Anniversary of the city's extended period of unrest following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., will take place April 3-5, 2008 on the UB campus and sites near the campus. The RFP, available on the Baltimore '68 website invites scholars, organizers and the public to contribute original ideas and approaches to mark this singular event in Baltimore's history. The event is expected to include keynote speakers, panel discussions, roundtables, poster sessions, film screenings, art installations, musical compositions, and workshops. The RFP calls for a one-page abstract for each proposal. Deadline for submissions is November 1, 2007.

High Zero Festival of Experimental and Improvised Music
Through October 3. 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

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

Hispanic Heritage Month is Sept. 15-October 14 Pratt Library: Voces Latinas/Latin Voices Celebrating the literary and musical arts of Spanish-speaking communities here and abroad. See scheduled events for times and Pratt library branch locations Port Discovery Hispanic Heritage Celebration: We Are All Connected Port Discovery, the Children's Museum in Baltimore, 35 Market Place Hispanic Heritage Celebration runs from September 15 – October 14. National Aquarium Noche Latina (Latino Heritage Night) October 5, National Aquarium in Baltimore, 5pm-9pm, Enjoy live music dance demonstrations, and bilingual exhibit presentations. Aquarium admission only $8 after 5pm. www.aqua.org 410-576-3800

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.

ARTS & HUMANITIES MONTH: OCTOBER
Baltimore observes the celebration of arts and humanities with Artists at Work. Take a break in the day to visit with the area's most talented artists throughout October in Hopkins Plaza from 11:30am-1:30pm.

Free Fall Baltimore Returns In October
More than 200 free arts events in 31 Days. www.freefallbaltimore.com

The Harbor Ball
October 5, Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park, 1417 Thames Street, Fells Point 7pm-midnight
The Fells Point Resident's Association presents the Harbor Ball to honor and benefit The Preservation Society Details at www.harborball.com

41st Annual Fells Point Fun Festival
Fells Point, October 6 and 7, 11 am to 7 pm
The Festival showcases historic Fell's Point, Baltimore's original deep water seaport, area businesses and charming 18th and 19th century residences, and Baltimore City life. Including Arts and Crafts an International Bazaar and the Fun Fest Flea Market. Entertainment includes eclectic music on five stages, family and children's activities plus over 40 food vendors in 4 food courts with epicurean delights from around the world. 410-675-6756

Columbus Day Parade
October 7, Mt Vernon Place, Parade steps off at 2pm. A parade of marching bands, costumed groups and the proud heritage of Spanish and Italian organizations.

Waxter Baby Boomer Dancers “Time To Shine” Graduation Dance
October 7, Waxter Center for Seniors, 1000 Cathedral St., 3pm-6pm, $8, 410-396-1325

MTA Public Hearings on Proposed Bus Route Changes October 9, World Relief Headquarters, 7 E. Baltimore St., Noon-2pm, 410-539-5000

MTA Public Hearings on Proposed Bus Route Changes
October 10, Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary School, 1327 Washington Blvd., 5pm-7pm, 410-539-5000

Health and Nutrition Day
October 10, Lexington Market 10am-2pm, The Baltimore City Health Department with Univ. of Md. Medical Center and Maryland General provide health screenings and flu and pneumonia shots. Info: 410-685-6169

7th Annual Baltimore Running Festival
Saturday, October 13, Camden Yards
Register for the team relay, 5K or Kids Run. Join the finish line celebration, cheer from your neighborhood, or volunteer for a water stop. Details at www.TheBaltimoreMarathon.com

Walk to D'Feet ALS
Sunday, October 14, 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

15th Annual Komen Maryland Race for the Cure
Sunday, October 14, Hunt Valley
The Komen Race for the Cure Series raises significant funds and awareness for the fight against breast cancer, celebrates breast cancer survivorship, and honors those who have lost their battle with the disease. Details at www.komenmd.org/

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

Presentation: Learn the Signs of Gang Activity
October 20, State Center Auditorium, 300 W. Preston Street, 10:00am-noon
Hosted by Congressman Elijah Cummings. Is a gang trying to recruit your child? Learn how gangs talk, write and behave and learn how to report the activity without becoming a target for retaliation. Attendance is free. 410-685-9199

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.

The Great Halloween Lantern Parade
Oct 27, Patterson Park 8pm from Pagoda Hill, Pratt & Patterson Park Ave. Details at www.creativealliance.org