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| "Better, Safer, Stronger" | October 17, 2008 | ||||
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Dear Friends:
During these tough economic times, it is now more important than ever to do what we can to help our neediest citizens. The Mayor and City Council have worked together to provide more resources to our neighbors who are struggling in this tough economy. As part of this year's budget process, we worked to secure additional funding for the Maryland Food Bank which, as a result of the national economic downturn, has reached an all time low in food inventory for local soup kitchens, food pantries and emergency shelters. If you are able to help, please visit www.mdfoodbank.org to learn how to participate in the Maryland Food Bank Virtual Food Drive or to learn more about volunteer opportunities. Earlier this week, Mayor Dixon opened Baltimore's first 24-hour year-round homeless shelter. The temporary facility, located on Guilford Avenue near City Hall, will shelter nearly 300 single men and women until a permanent facility is ready. And last month, the City Council held an investigative hearing to explore ways to expand employment opportunities in Baltimore's hospitality industry for homeless individuals. Times are tough and news about the national economy has only gotten worse in recent weeks. In Maryland, our state's leaders were forced to make painful budget cuts to important state programs and services in order to balance the budget. In Baltimore, we do not yet know how severely the national economic crisis will impact our local budget and the critical city services that our citizens depend on. However, the City Council will do everything possible to continue to protect priorities, including our investments in public safety and public education. I'm confident that with the right leadership on the national, state and local levels, together, we can make it through the storm and our great City will emerge: Better, Safer and Stronger. Stephanie Rawlings-Blake |
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City Council This Week Monday, October 20 Voting Session: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee, James Kraft - Chair Hearing: Highways and Franchises Subcommittee, Sharon Green Middleton – Chair 10:05 AM Wednesday, October 22
Hearing: Education Committee, Mary Pat Clarke – Chair Thursday, October 23
Hearing: Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee, Helen Holton - Chair Community Events
Saturday, October 18
BARCStoberfest Amazing Youth Day Flag House Free Family Festival Young Audiences At The Lyric Baltimore City Public Schools High School Dropout Resource Fair Cristo Rey Jesuit High School Open House Sunday, October 19 Free Prostate Cancer Screenings Bocce Tournament for City Springs School Family Workshop: Drumming in the Pacific Islands Tuesday, October 21 Hispanic Heritage Month Culminating Celebration Baltimore CASH Campaign Financial Fitness Series Wednesday, October 22 Workshop: Battling Bad Bars in Your Community Baltimore City Public Schools High School Dropout Resource Fair Thursday, October 23 Baltimore City Public Schools High School Dropout Resource Fair Upcoming/Ongoing
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 Speaks Out! Program, a great opportunity for children ages 11-15 to learn about video/film production. Offered at Enoch Pratt Free Library’s Herring Run branch, 3810 Erdman Ave. 410-338-0947. Free. The Reconnect Project hosted by New Shiloh Baptist Church, 2100 N. Monroe St., Oct. 21, 11am-6pm. Only for persons whose gas and/or electric has been turned off. For application requirements, contact Community Action Centers. Oct. 25 is Make a Difference Day 2008, an engaging day of volunteer service at city schools. Starts at 9am at various schools and parks, then a celebration at 1pm at the Living Classrooms Foundation. Must pre-register at 410-366-6030 or www.volunteercentral.net 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 New Old Theater’s Staged Reading of “The Vampire,” hosted by the Preservation Society, Oct. 25, 7pm, Time and Tide Theater @ Fells Point Visitor’s Center, 1724 Thames St. Money Management & Career Fair, presented by the Coppin Heights Community Development Corporation, Oct. 25, 10am-2pm, Coppin Dining & Meeting Hall. Complimentary light breakfast and lunch. Maryland Hispanic Workforce Council Job Fair and Contractor Expo, Oct. 30, 1-6pm, Quality Inn, One 2nd St., Laurel, MD. This is a free event providing opportunities for job seekers, bilingual professionals and contractors. www.mdhcc.net or call 410-558-3515 McCain versus Obama Book Discussion, Oct. 30, 7pm-8:30pm, The Park School, Ries Conference Room, 2425 Old Court Rd., open talk on the books, Faith of My Fathers and Dreams From My Father. Rsvp 410-339-4132. Mortgage Late? Mortgage Matters Free Workshops Mortgage Matters is a series of free workshops presented by the Baltimore Homeownership Preservation Coalition and sponsored by Baltimore Housing. Find out what to do if you’ve already missed a mortgage payment or think you might fall behind. Hear how you can improve your chances for avoiding foreclosure and what to do if foreclosure seems inevitable.
Wednesday, November 5,
Enoch Pratt Library/Northwood Branch,4420 Loch Raven Blvd., 6:00-7:30 pm. Wednesday, December 3 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. A Monumental Occasion, December 4, 6:00pm, Mount Vernon Place, 600 block of North Charles Street. Celebrate the holiday season with the 37th annual lighting of the Washington Monument. Pre-event festivities begin at 5:30pm in Mount Vernon. The evening includes performances, strolling entertainment, refreshments, and the official lighting by Mayor Dixon. The event ends with a colorful fireworks finale choreographed to music. Info: www.godowntownbaltimore.com or contact 410-244-1030. |
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This week I would like to take this opportunity to thank City employees and others who joined me today to provide donations to the St. Vincent de Paul Fall Mobile Clothing Drive at City Hall. Your generosity will go a long way to help those in need in the Baltimore area. The 
The Department of Planning is 
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