Baltimore City Council website
"Investing Where Baltimore Lives"
November 21, 2007

Dear Friends:

This week, many Baltimoreans are gathering with family, friends, and loved ones to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. With the downturn in the economy, more families are trying to figure out how to pay higher fuel and utility costs and still put food on the table. Food banks and shelters here in Baltimore and in cities all over the country are facing severe shortages while demand is being driven up by rising costs of food, housing, utilities, health care and gasoline. At the same time, food manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers have less surplus food to donate and government help has decreased. Food banks and homeless shelters are already grappling with reduced federal aid as fears grow that more people will need help just as charity giving starts to decline. Without the promise of increased federal help, charitable groups are urging people to give as much as they can.

I hope that this holiday you will not only give thanks for the blessing in your lives, but also reach out to a neighbor or fellow citizen in need, for that is the true spirit of Thanksgiving. For more information on how you can help, please contact the Maryland Food Bank. May you have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving.

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.

Baltimore Students Take Anti-Drug Stand in Chinese and French Language

How do you say "No" to drugs in Chinese or French? Just ask the students at Baltimore International Academy (BIA). During the annual National Red Ribbon Week October 23-October 31, students took a stand against drugs by participating in different activities, including "Red Sock Day," "Wear Red Day" and "Crazy Hat Day." Fifth graders hung a red ribbon on the school doors and handed out stickers to parents, students, faculty and staff with the words written in both French and Chinese: "We are the future: let's make it drug free!"

Baltimore International Academy also celebrated National French Week. A different activity was held each day and every class, including the Chinese classes, adopted a Francophone country and decorated their classroom doors with the country’s flag and other cultural symbols. BIA’s young ambassadors learned that the French language is not limited to France, but is actually spoken on five continents, in 55 countries by 200 million people. National French Week wrapped up with a special assembly full of song, poetry and drama.

BIA, located in Northeast Baltimore, is one of BCPSS' vibrant K-8 Choice schools. The new charter school opened this year for grades K-5. 135 students are currently enrolled in full language immersion in either French or Mandarin Chinese.

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

Monday, November 26, 2007

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, November 27, 2007

Hearing: Public Safety Subcommittee, James Kraft- Chair
10:00 AM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0329R An Invitation to Engage in Constructive Dialogue - Baltimore City Youth: Why Are Some of Your Pants Hanging So Low?

Hearing: Education Committee, Mary Pat Clarke - Chair
3:30 PM Du Burns Council Chamber, 4th floor, City Hall
07-0315R Investigative Hearing - Baltimore City Public School System Suspension Policies

Community Events

Help Bring HGTV to Baltimore!

Rebuilding Together Baltimore and Home & Garden Television have teamed up with the National Trust for Historic Preservation for the HGTV Change the World Start at Home campaign. We are competing to be one of five cities whose volunteer projects will be televised in 2008. Winners will be announced during HGTV coverage of the Rose Parade. Please Vote for Baltimore!

Thursday, November 21

Bea Gaddy's Thanks for Giving Dinner
Patterson Park Recreation Center, 2601 E. Baltimore St. 410-563-2749

Upcoming/Ongoing

Army-Navy Pep Rally
November 30, 12 pm, Harborplace Amphitheatre

March Over To 108th Army-Navy Game
December 1, 9:20 am, Thousands of Army Cadets and Navy Midshipmen parade through the Camden Yards Complex.

2007 Kwanzaa Celebration
December 1, 11 am – 4 pm, Morgan State University’s new Student Center, 443-885-4329. Registration is required. Free.

Army-Navy Light Boat Parade
December 2, 6 pm, Fells Point and the Inner Harbor

Malcolm X Youth Center Basketball League is holding open registration until
January 5, 2008 for boys and girls ages 5-8, 410-961-7739.

Night of 100 ELVISes
Friday, November 30th & Saturday, December 1st, Lithuanian Hall, 851-3 Hollins Street 7pm-2am

A Monumental Occasion: 36th Annual Lighting of the Washington Monument
December 6, Mt. Vernon Place, 6pm

Children's After School Art Program at School 33 Art Center
Is your child yearning for an outlet after a long day of school? Joining the after school art program at School 33 is your answer. Workshop sessions consist of one class for six weeks. Last day to register is November 23. Session 2 starts on Tuesday, December 4. See flyer for more details
www.school33.org or 410-396-4641

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!

Black Professional Men (BPM) Rays of Hope Scholarship Program is accepting applications through December 1. 410-377-1023 www.bpminc.org

Project Reach One holds SAT Prep classes every Monday and Wednesday, 6pm-8pm, at Mt. Royal Recreation Ctr., 120 W. Mosher St. Free 410-396-0848.

Sweet Thursdays-Dessert and Art Showings by Sculptor Herman Williams
130 S. Highland Ave., 410-732-1189, Free.