Dear Friends:

For the past several days, I have had the extraordinary opportunity to participate in an East-West Seminar dedicated to "Education in the 21st Century." The Seminar brings together rising leaders from all over the world, providing a collaborative forum for participants to share the educational trends and challenges of their respective nations. I am extremely fortunate to have been one of only four leaders in the United States chosen for this opportunity. I am grateful to the organizers of the East-West Seminar and my fellow participants from whom I have learned a great deal.

Above all, I look forward to sharing the innovative ideas that have come from this seminar with the leaders of Baltimore’s School System. Recently, much of the public information and news about the school system in Baltimore has focused on an ongoing contract dispute. While a resolution is worked out, it is important to remember that teachers continue to teach, and students continue to require their education. Positive news of student accomplishment and extraordinary improvement continues to come out of Baltimore City Public Schools, and I remain committed to trumpeting this "good news" to the best of my ability.

Please continue submitting your recommendations and "good news" stories for the President’s SchoolSpot, a weekly feature in the Roll Call that highlights positive stories from our public schools. Today's SchoolSpot is an inspiring example: Synthia Betances of Mt. Royal Elementary/Middle School won an essay contest with her powerful entry, "Still I Rise." Now that Baltimore City's new school year is in full swing, it is vital that we focus on the accomplishments of our students regardless of what the media chooses to promote.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

City Council This Week

Monday, October 29, 2007

**SPECIAL SESSION OF MARYLAND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OPENS IN ANNAPOLIS**

Voting Session: Highways and Franchises Subcommittee, Ken Harris - Chair
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0733 Franchise - Methane Gas Line and Telecommunications Conduit Under and Across the Hawkins Point Road Right-of-way

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.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Hearing: Education Committee, Mary Pat Clarke - Chair
1:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0315R Investigative Hearing - Baltimore City Public School System Suspension Policies
**POSTPONED - TO BE RESCHEDULED AT A LATER DATE

Hearing: Housing, Health and Human Services Subcommittee, Ken Harris - Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0753 Animal Control and Protection - Feral Cats

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Hearing: Land Use and Transportation Committee, Ed Reisinger - Chair
1:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0756 Rezoning - 1654 East Pratt Street
06-0474 Rezoning - 1425 Ostend Street
07-0768 Zoning - Conditional Use Convalescent, Nursing, and Rest Home (Assisted Living) -3201 Windsor Avenue

1:20 PM
07-0803 Valet Parking
07-0804 Tow-Away Zones - Car-Sharing Programs

Thursday, November 1, 2007

Hearing: Public Safety Subcommittee, James Kraft - Chair
10:00 AM Curran Conference Room, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0651 Curfews - "Milk Bars"

Hearing: Taxation and Finance Committee, Helen Holton - Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0774 Sale of Property - A Portion of the Former Bed of Water Street

Hearing: Judiciary and Legislative Investigations, James Kraft - Chair
10:10 AM Curran Conference Room, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0318R Special Inter-Agency Police Training Initiative

Hearing: Taxation and Finance Committee, Helen Holton - Chair
10:15 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0643 Sale of Property - Former Bed of a 10-Foot Alley

Hearing: Taxation and Finance Committee, Helen Holton - Chair
10:30 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0801 Minority and Women's Business Program - Reauthorization

11:15 AM
07-0692 Sale of Property - A Portion of the Former Bed of Lancaster Street

11:30 AM
07-0737 Sale of Property - The Former Beds of Certain Streets and Alleys Lying Within the Area Bounded by North Avenue, Thomas Avenue, Presbury Street, and the CSX Transportation, Inc. Railroad Right-of-Way

11:45 AM
07-0833 Sale of Property - The Former Beds of Milliman Street, a 10-Foot Alley, and Portions of 2 Alleys

Voting Session: Taxation and Finance Committee, Helen Holton - Chair
12:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0302R Informational Hearing -Project SCOPE and Project 5000

Hearing: Taxation and Finance Committee, Helen Holton - Chair
1:15 PM
07-0790 Sale of Property - the Former Beds of Certain Streets and Alleys Lying Within the Area Bounded by 24th Street, Howard Street, 25th Street and Maryland Avenue

1:30 PM
07-0796 Sale of Property - Certain Streets and 3 Varying in Width Parcels Located in Hollander Ridge

1:45 PM
07-0793 Sale of Property - The Former Beds of Certain Streets Lying Within the Fells Point Urban Renewal Area

2:00 PM
07-0799 Sale of Property - The Former Beds of a Certain Street and Alleys Lying Within the Area Bounded by Pleasant Street, St. Paul Place, the Orleans Street Viaduct, and Calvert Street

Voting Session: Urban Affairs and Aging Committee, Agnes Welch - Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0592 Urban Renewal - Coldstream Homestead Montebello - Amendment

Hearing: Urban Affairs and Aging Committee, Agnes Welch - Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0660 Urban Renewal - Charles/North Revitalization Area - Amendment
07-0693 Baltimore City Landmark List - Dr. John E.T. Camper House
07-0758 Wyndhurst Historic District
07-0759 Baltimore City Landmark List - Senator Theatre

Friday, October 26

Halloween Skate
Dominic "Mimi" DiPetro Family Ice Skating Center, Patterson Park, 7pm-9pm, 410-396-9392.

Saturday, October 27

American Heart Association Greater Baltimore Heart Walk (5k Walk or Run)
Federal Hill Park, 8:30am, 410-637-4566, www.startbaltimoremd.org

Volunteer Central’s Make a Difference Day
Kick-off at Our Daily Bread, 725 Fallsway, 8am-3:30pm, 410-366-6030.

Washington Village Development Association’s 2nd Annual Christmas Gift Fundraiser
Shahrazad’s, 771 Washington Blvd., 7pm-10pm, $25, 410-322-7304.

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

October 27-28

Household Hazard Waste Drop-Off Days
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute parking lot, Falls Road and Cold Spring Lane, Saturday 9am-3pm Sunday 11am-4 pm.
Baltimore City residents can properly dispose of hazardous household materials such as bleach, pesticides, herbicides, car and household batteries, drain cleaner, pool chemicals and many other items. Proof of city residency is required to drop off items, and you must be able to identify the material. For additional information please call 311.

Sunday, October 28

Hallo Bike and Skateboard Contest
Carroll Park Bike and Skating Facility, 800 Bayard St., 12pm-4pm, 410-244-0833.

Monday, October 29

Mayor’s Cultural Town Meeting
Maryland Institute College of Art Brown Center, 1301 Mount Royal Ave., 7-9 pm
Residents and community leaders can find out the impact of the arts on Baltimore City at the Mayor’s Cultural Town Meeting presented by Mayor Sheila Dixon and the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts with support from the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance. The Mayor’s Cultural Town Meeting is free and open to the public. Seating is available on a first-come, first served basis. For more information, call 410.752.8632 or visit www.promotionandarts.com.