 |
 |
"Investing Where Baltimore Lives" |
October 5, 2007 |
Dear Friends:
This week Mayor Dixon named Frederick Bealefeld III as Baltimore's police commissioner. Bealefeld has been serving as acting police commissioner since July and is a 26-year veteran of the Baltimore Police Department. In the coming days, the City Council will prepare for the police commissioner’s confirmation process. The appointment will be introduced at the October 15 City Council meeting, where it will be assigned to the Executive Appointments Committee for a public hearing.
The police commissioner has one of the most important positions in City government. The crime rate in Baltimore—and the public's perception of the City as a violent place—stands in the way of our progress. People in Baltimore are anxious about crime: it affects our economy, our job and housing markets, and our homes and families, wherever we live in the City. I have heard from many city residents who want to take their neighborhoods back, who want to see the City reach its promise. I urge city residents to contact their City Council members to make sure their community's concerns are addressed at the confirmation hearing.
I have known Acting Commissioner Bealefeld since his days in the Southern District. He is a dedicated officer and very personable, and I believe that he has begun to restore the public’s trust in the police during these past few months. Acting Commissioner Bealefeld deserves a timely confirmation process that is open and fair, and one that serves the people of Baltimore as well as his fellow police officers. I join Mayor Dixon in congratulating him on this appointment, and look forward to the confirmation hearing.
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. |
|
City Students Create "Pinwheels for Peace"
 |
| Click photo to enlarge |
Students at Federal Hill Preparatory School #45 participated in the Pinwheels for Peace project recently. Every student at the K-8 school participated by planting their message of peace. They created paper pinwheels decorated with their ideas and images about peace and tolerance. Teacher Noelle Kaler coordinated the activity. She said, "it was a great opportunity for our school to highlight the importance of community effort and the importance of tolerance and peaceful resolutions in our classrooms, school, and neighborhood. This was a wonderful activity that received a lot of wonderful acknowledgement from the parents and members of the community."
George Washington Elementary Named National Blue Ribbon School
The hard work of Principal Susan Burgess, students, teachers, and staff has paid off at George Washington Elementary School #022, located in South Baltimore's Pigtown. The U.S. Department of Education has named it a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, one of the nation's highest honors in education. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes and honors schools that show high performance or significant achievement in reading and mathematics. Schools must meet rigorous standards. GWES is one of seven No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools in the state and one of 287 in the country. When Principal Burgess arrived at the school in 2003, only 32 percent of third-graders had passed the state test in reading. By this spring, that pass rate had soared to 97 percent, with 63 percent of third-graders scored at the advanced level on the test. The schools will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC next month.
|
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
NOTE: Baltimore City government offices will be closed on Monday, October 8 for the Columbus Day holiday.
No trash or recycling collection. Parking meters remain in effect.
Tuesday, October 9
Hearing: Executive Appointments Committee, Robert Curran - Chair
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
EA07-0213 Hugh "Butch" Arnold
Member - Mayor's Commission on Disabilities - 3rd District
EA07-0214 Elease Brown
Member - Mayor's Commission on Disabilities - 7th District
EA07-0215 Mark Eric Huslage
Member - Mayor's Commission on Disabilities - 4th District
EA07-0216 Brian Knight
Member - Mayor's Commission on Disabilities - 12th District
EA07-0217 Sol Mogilinsky
Member - Mayor's Commission on Disabilities - 5th District
EA07-0218 Justina Pollard
Member - Mayor's Commission on Disabilities
Wednesday, October 10
Hearing: Land Use and Transportation Committee, Ed Reisinger - Chair
1:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0715 Zoning - Conditional Use Restaurant: Drive-In - 5711 Belair Road
RESCHEDULED FROM AUGUST 29, 2007
1:15 PM
07-0710 Zoning - Open Space Zoning District
RESCHEDULED FROM AUGUST 29, 2007
1:30 PM
07-0808 Rezoning - 2001-2031 and 2401-2417 Kloman Street
07-0809 Planned Unit Development - Designation - Westport Waterfront (2001, 2033, 2099, 2101-2121, 2201-2221-2301, and 2401-2417 Kloman Street)
1:50 PM
07-0770 Rezoning - A Portion of 1100 James Street
Hearing: Urban Affairs and Aging Committee, Agnes Welch - Chair
1:55 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0769 Urban Renewal - Washington Village Urban Renewal Area - Amendment
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Hearing: Taxation and Finance Committee, Helen Holton - Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0802 State Related Economic Development Projects
10:30 AM
07-0783 Supplementary Tax Increment Loan Fund Capital Appropriation - Department of Housing and Community Development - $85,000,000
07-0784 East Baltimore Research Park Phase II - Development District
07-0785 East Baltimore Research Park - Special Taxing District
07-0786 East Baltimore Research Park - Special Obligation Bonds
PLEASE NOTE: Bill Nos. 07-0783, 07-0784, 07-0785 and 07-0786 will be heard simultaneously at 10:30 AM.
11:00 AM
07-0781 Sale of Property - 1101 North Wolfe Street (Elmer Henderson Elementary School)
07-0782 Sale of Property - 1731 East Chase Street (Luther Craven Mitchell Elementary School)
Hearing: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee, James Kraft - Chair
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hal
07-0323R Neighborhoods At Risk - City Council Rapid Response Task Force
Hearing: Budget and Appropriations Committee, Jack Young - Chair
3:45 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0814 Bond Fund Capital Appropriation Transfer - Baltimore City Public Schools (Account #9904-129-086) to The Department of Housing and Community Development (Account #9910-587-037) - $1,500,000
07-0817 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - MR-Miscellaneous General Expenses - $300,000
07-0818 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - Department of Legislative Reference - $65,000
07-0819 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - MR-Miscellaneous General Expenses - $301,696
07-0820 Supplementary General Fund Operating Appropriation - MR-Miscellaneous General Expenses - $70,000
07-0824 Supplementary General Fund Capital Appropriation - Recreation and Parks - $1,000,000
Community Events
Friday, October 5
The Harbor Ball
Frederick Douglass-Isaac Myers Maritime Park, 1417 Thames Street, Fells Point
7pm-midnight Details at www.harborball.com
National Aquarium Noche Latina (Latino Heritage Night)
National Aquarium in Baltimore, 501 E. Pratt St., 5pm-9pm
Aquarium admission only $8 after 5pm. www.aqua.org 410-576-3800
Saturday, October 6
Heavy Metal: Big Truck Day
Baltimore Public Works Museum, Piers 6 & 7 Inner Harbor, 10am to 2pm
www.baltimorepublicworksmuseum.org Info: 410.396.5565
Port Discovery Free Fall Baltimore Day! Healthy First Saturday
Port Discovery Children's Museum, 35 Market Place, 10 am - 5 pm.
Big Bolton Hill Annual Community Yard Sale
Park Ave. medians between McMechen and Laurens, 9am-2:30pm
Opening Reception for Oh You Beautiful Doll: An Exhibit of African-American Dolls
Eubie Blake Center, 1pm. Runs through Oct. 27.
October 6-7
Fells Point Fun Festival
Fells Point, Saturday and Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm 410-675-6756
Sunday, October 7
Columbus Day Parade
Steps off at Key Highway and Covington St, 2pm
Parade is followed by a street fair in Little Italy. 410-529-6354
Waxter Baby Boomer Dancers "Time To Shine" Graduation Dance
Waxter Senior Center, 1000 Cathedral St., 3pm-6pm, $8, 410-396-1325
Baltimore Museum of Art Free Family Sundays
10 Art Museum Drive, 410-573-1700
www.artbma.org/families/sundays.html
Tuesday, October 9
MTA Public Hearing on Proposed Bus Route Changes
World Relief Headquarters, 7 E. Baltimore St., Noon-2pm, 410-539-5000
Whittier Monroe Community Neighborhood Association's "Take Back Our Streets and Alleys" Program. 7pm Douglass High School Football Field. Bring a flashlight!
Wednesday, October 10
MTA Public Hearing on Proposed Bus Route Changes
Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary School, 1327 Washington Blvd., 5pm-7pm, 410-539-5000
Health and Nutrition Day
Lexington Market 10am-2pm, Health screenings and flu and pneumonia shots. 410-685-6169
Upcoming/Ongoing
FOR TEACHERS AND EDUCATORS
Port Discovery: Free Grant-Paid Field Trips
Call (410) 864-2664 or e-mail kgulick@portdiscovery.org.
|
Mt. Vernon Ghost Tours
Beginning September 15, 7pm at the Belvedere Hotel. www.baltimoreghosttours.com
ARTS & HUMANITIES MONTH: OCTOBER
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
Friends of the Canton Library Book Sale
October 13 10am-3pm O’Donnell Square at Curley Street
Village Learning Place "Read Between the Wines" Fundraiser
October 13 Village Learning Place, 2521 St. Paul Street, 7 pm 410-235-2210
7th Annual Baltimore Running Festival
Saturday, October 13, Camden Yards Details at www.TheBaltimoreMarathon.com
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. Deadline for submissions is November 1, 2007.
|
Port Discovery Children's Museum: Five Friends from Japan!
October 13, 2007 - February 3, 2008, Port Discovery Children's Museum, 35 Market Place. No passport? No problem! Meet five special friends from Japan and learn about their similarities to and differences from you!
Walk to D'Feet ALS
Sunday, October 14, Druid Hill Park, 10 am
Phone: 866-348-3257 Details at www.ALSinfo.org
15th Annual Komen Maryland Race for the Cure
Sunday, October 14, Hunt Valley
Details at www.komenmd.org/
How To Pay for College Seminar
October 15 6pm-8pm, Pratt Central Library 410-685-9199
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. Attendance is free. 410-685-9199
Comcast Family Toon Day at Power Plant Live!
October 20, 10am-4pm
Port Discovery, Power Plant Live
410-244-1030
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
Project Reach One holds SAT Prep classes every Monday and Wednesday, 6pm-8pm, at Mt. Royal Recreation Ctr. Free 410-396-0848.
Greater Baltimore Leadership Association’s 5th annual Benefit Masquerade Ball
Nov. 10, Maryland Science Center, 410-523-8150.
The Baltimore Ravens are seeking nominations for the NFL’s Community Quarterback Awards. Nominations are accepted for community volunteers, 13 and older and are due by Oct. 31. www.baltimoreravens.com
The Best Buy Thanksgiving Parade
Saturday, November 17, 11am, Pratt Street.
Night of 100 ELVISes
Friday, November 30th & Saturday, December 1st
Lithuanian Hall, 851-3 Hollins Street 7pm-2am
|
|
|
