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"Investing
Where Baltimore Lives" |
December
7, 2007 |
Dear
Friends:
This week it was a great thrill to take the Oath of Office with my colleagues on the City Council. Such ceremonial occasions serve to remind us of our shared history and tradition, and we often get a renewed appreciation of the values and principles that guide us. Twelve years on the City Council and a lifetime connected with public service has taught me that power is never about me. My sole ambition is to make government work for the people it serves. I have already begun this process by re-establishing Council Committees dedicated specifically to Public Safety and Public Education—for I firmly believe that the citizens of Baltimore must be safe to have a present, and educated to have a future.
For ten years, I worked as a Public Defender, and I saw first-hand the young women ravaged by drugs; or the teenage boys who turn to violence as a way of life. And though it was my job to ensure that they had the same access to the legal system as any citizen, it may otherwise have been easy to write them off as lost souls. But if we ignore our duty to serve even those members of our society who seem intent on destroying it, then ours are the lost souls, not theirs.
As residents of Baltimore, you are not without power. For Baltimore to realize its truest potential, we need the energy, the ideas, and the dedication of all Baltimoreans—not just those of us in City Hall.
· Engage your elected officials.
· Come to a City Council meeting.
· Sweep your alley.
· Report crime in your neighborhood.
· Volunteer in your schools.
· Be responsible for your family, your children and your neighbors.
I ask that you help us write this new chapter in Baltimore's history, as we realize a bold vision for Baltimore, together. Identify your dreams for a better Baltimore, and tell us what you want for your communities. It’s far easier to give voice to your concerns and fears for the future, but I ask you today to envision your hopes for that future, and what it will take to bring your neighborhood a brighter tomorrow.
Stephanie
Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council
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Each
week in the President's
SchoolSpot,
Council President Stephanie
Rawlings-Blake highlights the outstanding
accomplishments of Baltimore City Schools students
and staff. |
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City College Choir Prepares For Annual Christmas Concert
 In celebration of the Christmas season, the Baltimore City College High School Choir will perform a varied repertoire of holiday classics, spirituals and gospel music, as well as traditional carols at its annual Christmas Concert. Choir Director Linda Hall said, “Each year, the annual concert leaves the audience in the spirit of the holiday and brings joy and warmth to every heart. Don’t miss it.”
The music presented will feature works by such composers as Johann Sebastian Bach, John Rutter and arrangements by Mack Wilberg. The concert is December 15 at 6:00 p.m. at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, 2013 Saint Paul St. Admission is $15. Proceeds will benefit the school’s choral music program and their upcoming trip to perform at Carnegie Hall. For tickets or more information, please call
1-877-4WE-SING (493-7464).
The Baltimore City College Choir has delighted audiences on television, radio, and stage locally, nationally and internationally. They have performed in Canada and Italy and has consistently received superior ratings and won numerous awards and trophies, for performances and competitions.
In March, the choir will travel to Carnegie Hall to perform Johannes Brahms: A German Requiem under the baton of Dr. Craig Jessop, director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The choir will have an opportunity to perform their own repertoire on the Carnegie Hall stage with director, Linda R. Hall. City is one of only four choirs selected nationally to perform at the National High School Choral Festival at the prestigious Carnegie Hall.
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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
The City Council has recessed until January 28, 2008.
 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. Baltimore is 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! |
December 8
Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards Dollar ($1.00) Admission Day & Holiday Blowout Sale
Reduced parking, 410-727-1539.
December 8-9
Mount Vernon Holly Tour
Friday, 6:30-9 pm;
Saturday, 11-5. Tour the restorations at Mount Vernon Place to see some of Baltimore's original architecture. $20. Details at www.hollytour.com or call 443-524-2370.
Top of the World Observation Level Dollar ($1.00) Admission Days, 410-837-VIEW.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Bowl-A-Thon
5-9pm, AMF Ritchie Lanes, 6608 Ritchie Highway. Proceeds benefit the Stork’s Nest Project. 443-804-4052.
Sunday, December 9
City Hall Holiday Open House - Celebrating the Jewels: Our Faith-Based Community
War Memorial Plaza, 12 –4 p.m. Join Mayor Dixon for City Hall’s Open House and to celebrate the diversity of Baltimore’s faith-based community, including a Hanukah Celebration, choirs, dancers and photos with the Mayor. This event is FREE and open to the public. For more information, please visit www.baltimoreinauguration.com
The Travis Winkey Fashion Show presented by Lexington Market, 1–2 pm, www.Lexingtonmarket.com
December 9-10
Downtown Dollar or Less Days
Come Downtown for a special treat, as many of Downtown’s attractions offer admission for $1 or less. For a list of participating attractions, call 410.244.1030 or visit www.GoDowntownBaltimore.com.
The National Aquarium in Baltimore Dollar ($1.00) Day Weekend, www.aqua.org.
D.I.Y. Holiday Art Mart
Lyric Opera House, 140 W. Mt. Royal Ave. 12-7pm. More than 40 vendors will be on hand for the best shopping event of the season. Details at www.squidfire.com
Upcoming/Ongoing
Parks & People Foundation to Hold Grant Workshop Training
The Parks & People Foundation will offer Grant Workshop Training for the Spring 2008 funding rounds of the Neighborhood Greening and Partnerships for Parks grant programs.
Tuesday, December 11 from 6-8 pm.
Thursday, December 13 from 6-8 pm.
Every organization applying for a grant MUST send at least one member to one of these workshops.
Location:
Parks & People Foundation Office
Stieff Silver Building
800 Wyman Park Drive, Suite 010
Baltimore, MD 21211
Please RSVP by Dec. 10 to 410-448-5663 x111 or grants@parksandpeople.org. |
Baltimore Main Streets presents Miracle on Main Street
As you are making your plans for festive fun and holiday shopping, don’t forget to support your local merchants. There is a lot to see and do on Baltimore’s Main Streets this season – bring the family, get some hot chocolate, and enjoy an old-fashioned holiday in our historic commercial districts. Details at www.baltimoremainstreets.com
The Woman’s Industrial Exchange has extended holiday hours – Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4pm to 8pm for the month of December! Come and support one of Baltimore’s oldest organizations. Shop for jewelry, baby items, toys, cards, pottery, blankets, scarves and hats all while supporting disadvantaged individuals in the Baltimore area. Networking Night at The Woman’s Industrial Exchange is the 3rd Tuesday of every month from 6 to 8pm. Please join us on Tuesday, December 18th for shopping, a presentation from a guest speaker and networking! It’s a great way to learn more about your city and networking with local professionals from a variety of backgrounds.
Info: 410-685-4388 www.womansindustrialexchange.org
Baltimore Public Works Annual City Mitten Tree Giving Campaign
Citizens and Baltimore City employees are encouraged to help decorate the tree with mittens, gloves, hats and
scarves through Friday, December 21, 2007.
Donations can be mailed to:
The Baltimore City Department of Public Works, Office of the Director, 600 Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 Holliday Street,Baltimore, Maryland 21202. All donations will be distributed to children in need through the Salvation Army. For more information
please call 410-545-6541.
Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks Holiday Display
December 8 - January 6, Purchase your perfect poinsettia. There’s an array of colors with many varieties of poinsettias, holly, pine roping and festive bows. Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Garden of Baltimore, 10am-4pm, 410-396-0008. Opens Tuesday through Sunday. FREE, but a $2 donation is encouraged.
Miracle on 34th Street
In Hampden between Keswick Rd. and Chestnut Ave. Baltimore's most unforgettable holiday light display. 6pm nightly through Dec. 31.
MTA Holiday Train Garden “Subway City” is on display at the Mondawmin Metro station mezzanine level through Jan. 2.
Citizens of Pigtown Community Association Annual Holiday Party and Happy Hour December 15, 2007, Shahrazad's, 771 Washington Blvd., 5-7pm. Donation $5. Please bring a dessert and/or a bottle of wine. For more information contact citizensofpigtown@gmail.com or call 410-982-5519.
Baltimore City College High School Choir Annual Christmas Concert
December 15, 6 pm,
St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, 2013 St. Paul Street, 1-877-WE-SING. $15.
Malcolm X Youth Center Basketball League is holding open registration until
January 5, 2008 for boys and girls ages 5-8, 410-961-7739.
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!
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.
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