Dear Friends:

There's no better time to think about helping others than during the traditional season of giving. Each day, millions of volunteers make a statement that despite everything – despite poverty and hatred, despite apathy and the seeming intractability of some of the challenges we face – people can change their communities for the better. Below you'll find information on local volunteering opportunities here in Baltimore. Volunteerism is, of course, its own reward. But I express my sincere gratitude to all men and women who share their skills and talents with the world, and hope that many more will follow their example. For we never stand as tall as when we kneel to help someone less fortunate.

Volunteer Central
Volunteer Central is the primary resource for recruiting and organizing volunteers. Our organization is the one-stop shop for anyone interested in volunteerism. We help individuals find opportunities in over 500 community service organizations focusing on various community issues.

Corporation for National and Community Service
The Corporation is the nation’s largest grantmaker supporting service and volunteering. Through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, they provide opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to express their patriotism while addressing critical community needs.

Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS)
BARCS is a non-profit organization created in July 2005 to work directly with Baltimore City Animal Control, taking in homeless and unwanted animals in Baltimore City. BARCS' mission is to prevent cruelty to animals by: rescuing animals, finding homes for the neglected and abandoned animals, promoting the health and welfare of animals through education, advocacy and pet population control and working cooperatively with other animal advocacy groups, shelters, and community organizations to continually improve the lives of animals.

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
President, Baltimore City Council

Single Stream Recycling Coming January 8, 2008

Recycling in Baltimore is about to get a whole lot easier! Beginning in January all of your recyclables—paper, cardboard, glass bottles, plastic bottles and jars (with 1–7 on the bottom), metal, aluminum, and tin cans—can now go into one container, on the same day. No more complicated schedules to remember: your current paper recycling collection day will become your new single stream recycling collection day.

Another benefit of the new system is that there will be no recycling pick-up on Mondays, which had posed a problem for many residents as government holidays almost always fall on Mondays, disrupting collections. Single stream recycling will be collected on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays through Fridays, depending on your recycling zone. When setting out single stream recycling, citizens have 3 options: purchase and use a recycling bin; use a container of choice that is clearly marked as recycling material; or use a cardboard box.

More on Single-Stream Recycling in Baltimore

Come to the City's Recycling Bin Kick-Off Event This Weekend! 25-gallon recycling bins will be available for $6 (half-price) and 18-gal. bins for $5 (cash/money order only). Saturday, Dec. 15, 2007 10am-2pm Baltimore Polytechnic, 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane Montebello Elementary, 2040 E. 32nd St. Patterson High School, 100 Kane St. Edmondson-Westside Skill Center, 501 Athol Ave. Sunday, Dec. 16, 2007 10am-2pm Northwestern High School, 6900 Park Heights Ave. After Dec. 15 and 16, bins will be available at 111 Kane St., Mon-Fri, 8am-2pm. For more information, including drop off locations and recycling bins, please dial 311 or go to www.cleanergreenerbaltimore.org or www.baltimorecity.gov

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!

Saturday, December 15

Citizens of Pigtown Community Association Annual Holiday Party and Happy Hour 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
6 pm, St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church, 2013 St. Paul Street, 1-877-WE-SING. $15.

Skate With Santa
Dominic "Mimi" DiPietro Family Skating Center, 3pm, 200 S. Linwood Ave. , 410-396-9392, $4

Sock Monkey Saturday
American Visionary Arts Museum, 800 Key Highway, 11am-3pm, Free with 2 pairs of clean socks, www.avam.org.

Ornament Making Workshops
Corradetti Glass Studio, 2010 Clipper Park Rd., Experts will teach you how to make your own blown glass ornaments, $40, 410-243-2010. Space is limited.

Sunday, December 16

Holiday Ice Show
Mt. Pleasant Ice Arena, 6101 Hillen Rd., 7pm, Free, 443-984-4075.

Jewish Food and Life Expo
11am-5pm, MD State Fairgrounds Exhibition Hall, 410-358-6846. Ticket prices vary.

HONtastic Holiday Party & Crabs for Christmas Concert
12:30pm-5pm, Geppi’s Entertainment Museum, 301 W. Camden St., 410-625-7060. Ticketed admission or free with a toy to benefit the House of Ruth.