Dear Friends:

During Monday's City Council meeting, I introduced a series of legislative measures to assist local small businesses in light of the current national economic crisis. Small businesses provide up to 80% of the total number of jobs in America's inner cities. The more we do to help small businesses, the more we can help our citizens obtain and retain employment during these difficult economic times. The package of legislation seeks to create new opportunities for small businesses in city contracts, develop a citywide plan to create "green collar" jobs in Baltimore and expedite city payments to small businesses for services rendered.

Creating New Opportunities for Baltimore Small Businesses
The primary legislation creates the "Baltimore Small Business Opportunity Program" and requires major city agencies to award at least 10% of the combined dollar value of contracts for goods, services, or construction to certified small businesses located in Baltimore City. This legislation will help buttress small emerging businesses in Baltimore and foster greater competition for city contracts. The legislation also mandates that major procurement agencies submit reports on the effectiveness of the program to the Board of Estimates.

Establishing Baltimore's 'Green Collar' Jobs Coalition
Experts on the economy and globalization believe that Energy Technology (ET)-related industries will be the next great industrial revolution. What is Baltimore doing to prepare to be a leader in this new "Green" economy? To help answer this question, I'm proposing that the City create a Green Collar Jobs Creation Coalition. The coalition, made up of city government, business and labor leaders, would be charged with developing a plan to help create green collar jobs in Baltimore City. Green jobs are the future of our national economy, and we need to make sure that Baltimore is prepared to take part in this new energy revolution.

Ensuring Prompt Payment for Small Businesses working with the City
Finally, I introduced a resolution calling for an investigative hearing to review CitiBuy, Baltimore's government purchasing system. The resolution calls on City agencies to develop a comprehensive plan to revise current policies to ensure prompt payment to small and minority businesses and subcontractors for services rendered. Often, these businesses do not have the capital to endure prolonged periods without receiving revenue for delivered goods and services. By making CitiBuy more efficient and responsive, we can encourage growth and potentially create new job opportunities for small companies doing business with the City.

With our economy in turmoil and with jobs at risk, now is the time to do what we can to create more opportunities for small businesses in Baltimore City. Again, it's my hope that these initiatives will help small businesses create jobs, which will make our great city better, safer and stronger.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

City Council This Week

Monday, November 3

Hearing: Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee, Helen Holton - Chair
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0073R Informational Hearing - TIFs and PILOTs
This hearing will be broadcast live on TV25.

Wednesday, November 5

Hearing: Land Use and Transportation Committee, Ed Reisinger - Chair
2:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0164 Planned Unit Development - Designation - Mt. Washington Mill

2:45 PM
08-0193 Valet Parking

Hearing: Public Safety and Health Committee, Bernard C. “Jack” Young - Chair
5:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0086R Investigative Hearing - Kenneth N. Harris, Sr. - Seeking Justice for a Fallen Comrade and All Baltimore City Victims of Homicide
This hearing will be broadcast live on TV25.

Thursday, November 6

Hearing: Taxation, Finance and Economic Development Committee, Helen Holton - Chair
11:30 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0060R Informational Hearing - XSPAND - Tax Lien Servicer

12:30 PM
08-0147 Sale of Property - 400 Saint Paul Street (Block 566, Lot 26)

12:45 PM
08-0180 Sale of Property - 3904 White Avenue

1:00 PM
08-0074R Approving the Submission of an Application to the State of Maryland for the Creation of a BRAC Zone to Include the Westport Redevelopment Area

Hearing: Education Committee, Mary Pat Clarke - Chair
4:00 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
08-0084R Allowing Students To Use MTA Bus Tickets and Transfers Until 8:00 P.M.

Community Events

Friday, October 31

Spooky and Safe Halloween fun at Rec and Parks
Looking for a little spine-chilling Halloween fun? Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks will be hosting a variety of creepy costume parties, ghostly tours, scary monsters and spooky tales, and haunted houses. Pick up your FREE “McGruff the Crime Dog” trick-or-treat bag from one of the 46 recreation centers with safety tips on how to have a safe and fun Halloween in your community. Vampires, witches, werewolves, ghosts, and ghouls are ALL invited. Most events are FREE and open to the public. For more information on safe and fun Halloween activities in your neighborhood, please contact your local recreation center or Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks at (410) 396-7900.
See complete list of Halloween events at Baltimore City Rec Centers

Old School Halloween Party
Station North Arts Cafe Gallery. 1823 N. Charles St., 9:30pm. Edgar Allan Poe readings, carnival games, BBQ, costume contest and more. 443-874-4917. Free.

7th Annual Halloween Party & Haunted House
St. Frances Academy Community Center, 501 E. Chase St. 5pm-8pm. Open to children 12 and under. Children under 5 years old must accompanied by an adult. Call 410-539-5794.

Halloween Fells Point Activities
4pm-6pm Thames St., 6pm-10pm Broadway Square. Storytelling, facepainting, adult & children costume contests and more.

10th Annual Youth and College Leadership Summit
Oct. 31-Nov. 1, Morgan State University. Hosted by the New Light Leadership Coalition. Speakers include Malik Zulu Shabazz Esq., founder of Black Lawyers for Justice (BLFJ); Stefanie Brown, national director of the NAACP Youth and College Division, and M.K. Asante Jr., activist and author of It’s Bigger Than Hip Hop. Free. Register at summit2008.nllc.org. 410-494-1588.

Saturday, November 1

** Daylight Savings Time Ends Sunday: Set back your clocks 1 hour! **

Public Moves Federal Hill Art Event
Federal Hill, 2pm & 4:30pm. A community performance atop Federal Hill featuring people representing all of Baltimore. It’s inspired by the everyday movement seen on the hill and each person will play a part in creating it! After the event, visit the Visionary Museum for free. www.publicmoves.net or contact karen@midatlanticarts.org

Sunday, November 2

Baltimore '68 Riots and Rebirth: Continuing the Conversation
Druid Hill Family Center, 1609 Druid Hill Ave., 6:30pm-7pm Gathering & Light Dinner; 7pm-9pm Conversation. Free, but you must pre-register at 410-889-9622 x2102 or kacyconley@ymaryland.org.

Tuesday, November 4 - ELECTION DAY

** CITY HOLIDAY - NO TRASH PICKUP; PARKING METERS REMAIN IN EFFECT. **

Wednesday, November 5

Mortgage Late? Mortgage Matters Free Workshops
Enoch Pratt Library, Northwood Branch, 4420 Loch Raven Blvd., 6:00-7:30 pm. 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. Information at 410-727- 0169 or visit www.preservehomeownership.org

Thursday, November 6

Public Affairs Symposium Series on Poverty
Baltimore Freedom Academy, BFA Auditorium, 1601 E. Lombard St., 6pm-7pm. Admission is a canned good for the school’s Family Support Center Pantry. 443-642-2158.

Upcoming/Ongoing

Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems Seeks Community Representatives Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems (BSAS) is the authority responsible for funding, strengthening and expanding substance abuse services for Baltimore city’s uninsured and underinsured residents. The Communications, Advocacy and Partnerships (CAP) Committee of BSAS designs strategies to communicate, advocate and partner with stakeholders and officials to develop comprehensive and accessible drug addiction treatment and prevention services. The committee is seeking two volunteers to serve as community representatives. on a committee comprised of several members of the BSAS Board of Directors, BSAS staff, and other non-board members who represent addiction treatment providers, treatment advocates, community organizers and business leaders. For more information and how to apply

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

Conserve energy, save money and protect the environment with BGE’s PeakRewards program. If you have central air conditioning or an electric heat pump, you could save up to 15% year round in energy costs. www.bgesmartenergy.com/peakrewards

Thursday Night Nonviolence Film/Discussion Series hosted by Light Street Presbyterian Church, 809 Light St., Thursday evenings, 6pm-7:30 pm, 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.

Baltimore Bioneers ’08: Cultivating Change. Inspiring Solutions, November 7-9, Maryland Institute College of Art, Brown Center. The 2nd annual Baltimore Bioneers Conference features some of the most insightful, inspiring innovators working to change the region and the world. Witness how the power of collaboration across all disciplines can promote practical environmental solutions and innovative social strategies for restoring the Earth and healing human communities. Featuring local keynote speakers, and over 30 workshop and panel discussions. Breakfast and lunch provided for registrants, catered by Woodberry Kitchen. More information and registration at www.cultivatingchange.org

First Fridays at the Walters with Free Admission to “Bedazzled: 5,000 Years of Jewelry,” Nov. 7, Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles St., 5pm-8pm. Enter through the Centre Street doors. 410-547-9000. Free.

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

Baltimore City Property Taxes 101, November 8, Pratt Central Library, Poe Room, 400 Cathedral St., 10:30am – 12:30pm. Are you confused about Baltimore City property taxes? Have you ever wondered how the property tax you pay relates to the services you receive from the City of Baltimore? To learn more about property taxes in Baltimore City, please register today for this education session. Register at www.LiveBaltimore.com/learn.

Pythias A. & Virginia I. Jones African-American Community Forum on Memory Loss, Nov. 8, Coppin University’s Tawes Center Ballroom, free, must pre-registration with the Alzheimer’s Association at 410-561-9099.

Health and human services vendors (free) needed for the 1st Annual Fall Health Expo hosted by Morgan Park Community Development Corporation, Nov. 8, 12pm-4pm, Waverly Elementary/Middle School, 3400 Ellerslie Ave., food demos, health screenings, children’s fun and more. 443-766-0203 or mnnusum@cvty.com

Baltimore CASH Campaign Financial Fitness Series, November 12, Pratt Central Library, 400 Cathedral St, 6:30-7:30 pm. 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.

American Lung Association of Maryland’s Casino Night, Nov. 13, Radisson Lord Baltimore Hotel, 20 W. Baltimore St., 6pm-9pm. Benefit to help raise money and awareness for lung disease with a silent auction, food, dessert, free valet parking and more. $50. Laura 410-560-2120 ext 232 or lgreen@marylandlung.org.

Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems "Community Conversation" Event, November 13, Virginia S. Baker Recreation Center, 2602 E. Baltimore Street, 5:30-8pm."Substance Abuse as a Family Disease" Learn together about the effects of substance abuse on the family; how families can cope with the addiction of a loved one;what support services are available for the families of addicted individuals; and more! No charge. Light dinner served. Seating limited. RSVP 410-637-1900, ext. 215 or email rpinder@bsasinc.org

College Fair sponsored by Enoch Pratt Free Library Herring Run Branch, Nov. 15, 1pm-4pm, talk to admissions officers about courses, tuition assistance and more. Call 410-396-0996 or pprasad@prattlibrary.org.

Free Legal Clinic for Artists sponsored by Creative Alliance, November 15, 3134 Eastern Ave. Meet with the MD Lawyers for the Arts (MLA). Bring your contract, copyright and other legal questions. To sign up for an appt. between 1:30-4pm, call 410-276-1651.

Volunteers needed to read to students during American Education Week, Nov. 17-21, 9am-2pm, James Mosher Elementary School, 2400 W. Mosher St.. Books provided. Contact Marvella.Gray@ic.fbi.gov

One-day Grant Writing Session, November 19, HUD Office, 10 S. Howard St. 5th floor, 9am-5pm. Free, but you must pre-register. Sherrell Parker at Sherrell.Parker@hud.gov, 410-209-6572.

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.