Baltimore City Council website
"Better, Safer, Stronger" October 10, 2008

Dear Friends:

STRONGER NEIGHBORHOODS
LEGISLATION
  • Tougher Illegal Dumping Ordinance
  • Better Liquor Zoning Enforcement
  • Better Rat Control and Abatement

This week I introduced a series of legislative measures to improve quality of life in Baltimore's neighborhoods. The package of legislation seeks to address the chronic challenges of illegal dumping, liquor store zoning, and rat infestation.

The primary legislation is a comprehensive overhaul of Baltimore's illegal dumping ordinance. The legislation provides for stiffer penalties for illegal dumping; creates an illegal dumping hotline with potential cash rewards for citizens who report violations; and forces criminal violators to be subject to community service penalties in addition to fines and jail time. The measure also mandates that all city contracts contain an illegal dumping clause, where, if violated, a contractor doing business with the City will be considered to be in breach of contract. Illegal dumping is an ongoing challenge in Baltimore. Now is the time for a new, comprehensive overhaul of our strategy to deal with the problem.

In Baltimore City, state law prohibits new liquor establishments within 300 feet of a church or a school. I introduced a resolution that asks the Board of Liquor License Commissioners to report to the City Council on procedures used to enforce the current distance prohibition. The resolution also seeks to examine the feasibility of asking the Baltimore City Delegation to introduce state legislation to increase the distance of the prohibition. For example, in Montgomery County the prohibition is 750 feet.

Finally, I introduced a resolution calling for an informational hearing to brief the City Council on the effectiveness of Vector Control Bureau activity in controlling the rat population in City neighborhoods, the success of outreach efforts in enlisting the citizenry in rat eradication efforts and the methods used to measure the efficacy of rat control and abatement efforts.

Neighborhoods have always been the heart and soul of our city and when our neighborhoods thrive, Baltimore thrives. We need to do more to address some of the simple quality of life issues that our citizens deal with on a day-to-day basis. It is my hope that these new measures will help make Baltimore better, safer and stronger.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

Friendship Academy of Science and Technology Opens With A Grand Celebration

This fall, Friendship Academy of Science and Technology (FAST) officially opened its doors (in the former Canton Middle School) to the delight of nearly 300 students, parents, city officials and community members. FAST is one of six new Baltimore City Public School System (BCPSS) Transformation Schools, a new model combining grades six through twelve. Transformation Schools bridge the gap between middle and high school, build on the academic developments of children rising from middle school and hopefully reduce the number of students who drop out in ninth or tenth grade. FAST opened with a total of 300 sixth, eighth and ninth-graders, including a program for hearing impaired students. FAST will add grades 7 and 10 next year and an additional grade level each year thereafter.

Friendship Academy seeks to unify rigorous academic standards with relevant life and career skills with a student centered project-based focus in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to prepare students for high demand-high wage jobs in Information Systems Technology, Media and Communication Technology and Health Technology. As part of their Early College program, every student in eleventh and twelfth grade will be dually enrolled in FAST and in college, at no cost to themselves – earning both a high school diploma and either credits towards a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree or a certificate that meets industry standards. Starting in 8th grade, all students develop six-year plans demonstrating the pathways through their first year of college. Also, all students will begin college visits as early as sixth grade to begin exposure to college life.

Friendship Academy is seeking partnerships that can provide financial assistance to the campuses, volunteers, service learning/community service projects for students, mentors, and host of other needs that help make a strong school. For more information, contact A. Jerry Haley, Jr. at ajhaley@friendshipschools.org.

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

Information on 2008 Presidential Election in Baltimore

Important Dates

Last Chance Voter Registration Drives
Oct. 11, 10am-12pm, corner of Pennsylvania Ave. & W. North Ave., emphasis on former felons registration
Oct. 11-12, Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St., Sat-10am-5pm; Sun.-12pm-5pm, 443-263-1801

Tuesday, October 14 - Last day to register to vote at 9:00 pm
Tuesday, October 28 - Last day to request absentee ballots
Tuesday, November 4 - Presidential Election

Ballot Questions
Baltimore City Ballot Questions
Statewide Ballot Questions

Election Judges Needed
The State of Maryland and City of Baltimore are seeking volunteers to work November 4, 2008 during Baltimore City’s Presidential Election Cycle at Baltimore City Polling Places. Volunteers will be paid by the Board of Elections $150-$200 for working at a poll. If you are a registered Maryland voter and are interested in working to ensure that the General Election is handled in a professional, efficient and fair manner, contact electionjudge@baltimorecity.gov,

Knowing Where You Vote
In preparation for the presidential general election to be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2008 the Baltimore City Board of Elections will give voters the opportunity to verify that they are registered to vote and the location of their polling place. For more information please call 410-396-1444. Just let the election employee answering the telephone know that you are inquiring about "KNOWING WHERE I VOTE." The election employee will then ask for information that will permit them to assist you in knowing if you are registered and where.

You may also verify your voting registration and polling place location online.

Baltimore City Board of Elections 410-396-5580
Maryland State Board of Elections 1-800-222-VOTE

City Council This Week

Wednesday, October 15

Hearing: Public Safety and Health Committee, Bernard C. "Jack" Young - Chair
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0063R Public Information Campaign - "Dirt Bikes" - Unregistered Motorcycles and Similar Vehicles
This hearing will be broadcast live on TV25.

Community Events

TRAFFIC ADVISORY:
ROAD CLOSURES AND PARKING RESTRICTIONS
FOR BALTIMORE MARATHON -
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11

BALTIMORE MARATHON RUNNING FESTIVAL - OCT. 11
Russell and Camden Streets, 8am. The eighth annual Under Armour Baltimore Running Festival includes the marathon, half-marathon and team relay as well as the United Way 5K and Kids' Fun Run. www.thebaltimoremarathon.com

26th ANNUAL CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL - OCT. 9-11
Lexington Market, East Market Arcade, 10am-5pm, Chocolate eating contests, live music, magic show and more. 410-685-6169.

Saturday, October 11

Baltimore City Fire Department Thrill Show
BCFD Fire Academy, 6720 Pulaski Hwy, 11am-4pm. Fire engine rides, firefighter competitions, fire prevention displays, kids games and more. 410-396-5616.

Hampden Flea Market
 Roosevelt Park, 9am-3pm, $15 fee for vendors, contact Allen at ahicks6@verizon.net.

A Taste of Waverly Village
32nd Street Farmers Market Site, 32nd Street and Barclay Street, 4pm-9pm. Enjoy Southern American, Indian, and Middle Eastern delights, locally-made jewelry and crafts, a kids zone, music and more. 410-258-6295 or www.waverlymainstreet.blogspot.com.

Brooklyn and Curtis Bay Parade
Parade begins at 4th St. & Washburn, 11:30am-1pm. Sponsored by The Chesapeake Center For Youth Development Changz After School Program.

Festival on the Hill
Bolton St. & Lafayette Ave., Bolton Hill, 10am-5pm. A kids zone, food and arts & crafts.

Tales on the Trail Celebrating the 10th Year of the Windsor Hills Conservation Trail
Windsor Hills, Noon-3pm. Food, fun and storytelling, bring your chairs and blankets. 410-466-7672.

Sunday, October 12

Columbus Day Parade
Key Highway to Light Street to Pratt Street to President Street to Little Italy, 1:00pm. The annual parade features marching bands, costumed groups and the proud heritage of Spanish and Italian organizations. For more information, call 443-742-0238 or visit www.columbuscelebrations.com

Western High School Open House, 2pm-4pm, 4600 Falls Rd., 410-396-7040. www.westernhighschool.org.

Preston Mitchum, Jr. Foundation Story Book Reading
3pm-5pm, Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt St., www.africanamericanculture.org. Free.

Free Prostate Cancer Screenings
 Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, 6000 Radecke Avenue. Early detection helps beat the odds against prostate cancer, so don’t miss this life-saving opportunity. For more information or to schedule a screening, please call Nancy Cromwell at 443-738-8185.

Bent Twig: A Performance by the Municipal Opera Company of Baltimore
The Walters Art Museum Graham Auditorium, 600 N. Charles St., 2pm. Written by African-American composers Helen Williams and Arlene Straw. Free, but rsvp. 410-547-9000.

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

Monday, October 13: Columbus Day Holiday

HOLIDAY NOTICE - Baltimore City Public Works offices will be closed. No City trash pickup; parking meters will remain in effect. There will be no collection of trash, bulk or recyclables in Baltimore City. The Quarantine Road Landfill, the Northwest Transfer Station and the Eastern, Western and Northwestern Sanitation Yards will be CLOSED. Citizens whose regular trash collection day is Monday are asked to place their trash out on their next regularly scheduled collection day, Thursday, October 16, 2008.

Wednesday, October 15

Baltimore City Public Schools High School Dropout Resource Fair
Northwestern High School, 6900 Park Heights Ave., 2pm-8pm. 443-984-2000.

Community Health & Nutrition Day
Lexington Market Arcade, 10am-2pm. Hosted by Lexington Market, University of Maryland Medical Center and Maryland General Hospital. More than 20 free health screenings, medical information and more. www.lexingtonmarket.com

Parks & People’s Annual Greening Celebration
The Wind Up Space, 12 W. North Ave., 6pm-8:30pm. Meet and mingle with community greeners, foundation and corporate partners, representatives from government agencies, scientists, educators and neighborhood stewards to learn how Parks & People are working together to make Baltimore a healthier, cleaner and greener city. For more information on the event please call 410-448-5663 or email info@parksandpeople.org

Upcoming/Ongoing

Baltimore City Leaf Collection Begins

Baltimore City Department of Public Works will begin collecting bagged leaves from city residents. Leaves will be collected on the second trash collection day each week which falls on either Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Leaf collection season will continue through January 31, 2009. DPW will collect an unlimited number of bags during leaf collection season. Please do not place bagged leaves in the gutter or public right-of-way. For additional information, please call 311.

Baltimore City Heritage Area Now Soliciting Grant Applications

October 17, 2008 is the application deadline for the Baltimore City Heritage Area Small Cap Grant Fund. The Fund provides matching grants of up to $25,000 for capital projects within the Baltimore City Heritage Area. For application and instructions, visit www.baltimorecity.gov/government/heritage and click on "Grants" under the "Heritage Area Menu." For more information contact Jeff Buchheit at jeffrey.buchheit@baltimorecity.gov or 410-396-1954.

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.

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

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 breakdancing 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.

Neighborhood Housing Services of Baltimore offers Homebuyers Education Classes NHS Baltimore is a small non-profit organization that helps sustain and create homeownership opportunities through customized lending and consumer education in the Baltimore region. NHS is offering homebuyer education classes through December. For class schedules and registration call 410-327-1200, x135. www.nhsbaltimore.org

Thursday Night Nonviolence Film/Discussion Series begins Oct. 9, hosted by Light Street Presbyterian Church, 809 Light St., Thursday evenings, 6pm-7:30 p.m., Oct. 9-Nov. 13. Series is based on the six-part PBS documentary "A Force More Powerful." Light supper provided. 410-539-0125.

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.

Baltimore City Public Schools High School Dropout Resource Fair, Oct. 15: 2pm-8pm at Northwestern High School, 6900 Park Heights Ave.; Oct. 18: 10am-3pm at Success Academy, 200 E. North Ave.; Oct. 22: Southside Academy, 2700 Seamon Ave.; and Oct. 23: Edmondson-Westside High School, 501 Athol Ave. 443-984-2000.

Fall Mobile Collection Drive for the homeless. Help City Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake assist St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore, Oct. 17, 8am-1pm. Corner of Lexington and Gay Sts. Men’s, women’s and children’s clothes, coats, hats, gloves, shoes and blankets are needed. Just drive up behind the collection truck and a staff person will load the donations for you. New or gently used donations pleased. Marva.williams@baltimorecity.gov or 410-396-4699.

Greenscape '08, Oct.18, 11-3, Polytechnic Institute, 1400 West Cold Spring Lane. Are you a kid that cares about good schools, Clean and Safe Neighborhoods, Greater Opportunities, a Healthy Planet, and Your Future? Come to GreenScape ‘08! Have fun and let your voice be heard! Come share your ideas and your concerns about the environment, your neighborhood, your school, and your future.

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Open House, Oct. 18, 12pm-3pm, 420 S. Chester St., www.cristoreybalt.org

Russian Festival, October 17-19, Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Church, 1723 E. Fairmount Ave. A celebration of the Russian community, Friday & Saturday noon - 9 pm and Sunday noon - 6 pm, 410-276-6171. www.russfest.org

BARCStoberfest, October 18th, Patterson Park, 11-4 pm. The Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter's 4th annual BARCStoberfest fundraiser festival is a true community event that brings awareness to the causes of animal homelessness, educates the public about animal welfare, and raises money to support BARCS. Info: 410-396-4695 and www.baltimoreanimalshelter.org

Hispanic Heritage Month Culminating Celebration, Oct. 21, 6pm-8pm, Patterson High, 100 Kane St., food, music, a resource fair and more.

Baltimore CASH Campaign Financial Fitness Series, Tuesday, October 21, 6:30-7:30 pm, Poe Room of Pratt Library Central Branch, 400 Cathedral St. TOPIC: Consumer Protection Do you know the difference between phishing and vishing? Knowledge is the most important tool for consumers today. Learn how something as simple as good record keeping practices can protect you from common scams. Hear about how bankruptcy/foreclosure scams target people whose home mortgages might be in trouble. Light refreshments will be served. Free call 443-451-4076 to register.

Great Halloween Lantern Parade, October 25, Patterson Park's Pulaski Monument, Linwood & Eastern Ave. 7:30 pm. A fabulous Baltimore spectacle with more than a thousand candle-lit, paper and bamboo lanterns, Crazy Creative Floats, a Grand Finale Monster Raising Party, multiple bands, and a Ghost Town filled with goodies and games. www.creativealliance.org

Greek Heritage Festival, Nov. 7-9, Cathedral of the Annunciation, 24 W. Preston St.

Baltimore CASH Campaign Financial Fitness Series, Wednesday, November 12, 6:30-7:30 pm, Poe Room of Pratt Library Central Branch, 400 Cathedral St. TOPIC: Making Wise Insurance Decisions. Discover how to make the best choices today to ensure the brightest future for your loved ones tomorrow. Learn guidelines for deciding what kinds of insurance you want and how much you will need. Understand how short-term and long-term disability policies can fit into your protection plan. Light refreshments will be served. Free-call 443-451-4076 to register.

Baltimore's Thanksgiving Parade, November 22, 11:00am - 1:00pm. Pratt and Howard Streets, continues east on Pratt Street and disbands at Pratt Street and Market Place. Baltimore's Thanksgiving Parade kicks off the holiday season with spectacular floats, gigantic balloons, marching bands, and the official arrival of Santa Claus to Baltimore. After the parade, children can stop by Santa's Place, coordinated by Harborplace & The Gallery, to sit on his lap, share their holiday wishes, and have their picture taken.