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Issue #246 • Friday, May 8, 2015

“Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” –James Baldwin Nearly two weeks ago, in one of Baltimore City’s darkest days in recent memory, our faith was truly tested. But we all know that Baltimore is a resilient city. I have been inspired by the remarkable generosity and spirit of community that has been shown over the last two weeks. During that time we have seen thousands of peaceful demonstrators join together. We have seen community members praying in solidarity and locking arms to face the front lines and protect one another. We have seen business leaders offering assistance to help their neighbors rebuild. We have seen officers protect our city with pride and distinction. But we have also seen the tension and frustration of a community that for generations felt disconnected. This week I announced OneBaltimore, a comprehensive and collaborative public-private initiative to support ongoing efforts to rebuild communities and neighborhoods. We all love our city. But one of the things I have learned as Mayor is that the desire to do better is not enough—it has to be complemented by deliberate, thoughtful, and innovative action. To leverage all of this energy, financial support, and good will, we need a coordinated, overarching effort. I am so blessed to be mayor of a city with so many community partners who want to help and are willing to step up and to move our city forward. OneBaltimore focuses on the immediate, short-term needs of those communities affected by our recent unrest and violence, and seeks to promote collaboration to focus on the systemic problems our city has faced for decades. While Baltimore’s challenges are not unique from many other urban areas, I believe that our unique strengths create an atmosphere that can foster real progress moving forward. With OneBaltimore, we will coordinate with leaders across our city to advance collective solutions to systematically promote an inclusive, competitive city. This is about more than government. This is a once-in-a-generation effort to engage anyone and everyone who wants to help strengthen our city. From our world-leading education and health care anchor institutions to our innovative business partners to our passionate community, faith, and philanthropic leaders, we will show the world what is possible when an entire city comes together. This is a unique opportunity that can only happen in Baltimore. Over the coming weeks, a framework for OneBaltimore will be announced, and a system of broad community engagement will be developed. For more information on OneBaltimore, visit ServingOneBaltimore.org. Though the past few weeks have been challenging, we will continue to show the resilience that sets Baltimore apart. This will be our legacy. We will use this passion to collectively lift us to be a better, stronger Baltimore. I know it will not be easy, and change will take time. But we will show the world ‪‎OneBaltimore‬.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at my website or by email at mayor@baltimorecity.gov. You can also follow the Mayor’s Office and be a part of the conversation on Facebook or Twitter.

Sincerely, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake Mayor, City of Baltimore

Stories of a Growing City

Rawlings-Blake announces 'One Baltimore' campaign 

The Baltimore Sun

Baltimore City seeks employers for Hire 1 Youth Program

WBAL-TV

The Baltimore Health Department is running a shuttle from West Baltimore to Giant, Walmart

Baltimore Business Journal

Justice Department to launch full-scale investigation of Baltimore police, sources say  

The Baltimore Sun

Our Baltimore Cityscapes

As we begin the journey toward healing and rebuilding our communities,
we will remain #OneBaltimore. To learn more, visit ServingOneBaltimore.org.
Photo by Mark Dennis.

Community Bulletin

Baltimore Neighborhood Basketball League Registration

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Baltimore City Recreation and Parks present BNBL—the Baltimore Neighborhood Basketball League. The league starts May 18, so register your team now! The league is open to youth ages 5 – 19, and registration is $20 per player. Games will be played at various sites throughout the city. For more information, email bcrpsports@baltimorecity.gov, call 410-396-7019, or visit bcrp.baltimorecity.gov.

Upcoming Affairs

Market Day at Cylburn Arboretum

Saturday, May 9, 8:00 am – 2:00 pm (free admission)
Preview sale: Friday, May 8, 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm ($25 admission, $20 for members)
Cylburn Arboretum

A Cylburn tradition, the 47th annual Market Day will offer great plants, garden accessories, and nature themed gifts. Many of the plants are grown on-site by the Cylburn Arboretum Association, Baltimore City Recreation & Parks, and UME Baltimore City Master Gardeners, while others come from area garden clubs, specialty growers, and nonprofits. This Mother's Day weekend pick up a gift for Mom—or yourself—all while supporting Cylburn! For more information, call 410-367-2217 or visit cylburn.org.

Buying Into Baltimore: $5,000 Homebuying Incentive Event

Saturday, May 9, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm
Edmondson-Westside High School, 501 N. Athol Avenue

Don't miss the biggest homebuying event of the year! Meet with real estate experts and community organizations, sit in on homebuying workshops, take Live Baltimore's famous narrated bus tour of Baltimore neighborhoods, and preview homes for sale all across the city! Attendees may become eligible for $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance toward the purchase of a home anywhere in Baltimore City! Registration is $10 per participant. For complete details or to register, visit livebaltimore.com.

Baltimore Red Line Support Summit

Various Dates and Locations

Join Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Congressman Elijah E. Cummings in support of Baltimore’s Red Line! This light rail transit project will create the Baltimore area's first east-west rapid transit connection, connecting Woodlawn, Edmondson Village, West Baltimore, Downtown, Harbor East, Fells Point, Canton, and the Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Campus. So come out and enjoy live music, free Red Line giveaways, food, and much more!

Date and location details:

• Tuesday, May 12, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
  War Memorial Plaza, 101 N. Holliday Street (in front of City Hall)
• Friday, May 15, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  Patterson Park, E. Baltimore Street and Milton Avenue
• Wednesday, May 20, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
  West Baltimore MARC Station, 401 Smallwood Street

Extending the Enjoyment of Flowers

Saturday, May 16, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens, Druid Hill Park

Join the Federated Garden Clubs of MD for a free floral preservation demonstration. Noted floral preservationist Joyce Stone and nationally accredited flower show judge Marilyn Potter will teach you how to preserve the flowers you've grown through methods like drying, hanging, pressing, microwaving, and even waxing. Take the ideas home with you and continue to enjoy your flowers long past their usual lifespan.

Y of Central Maryland Spring Fling

Saturday, May 16
Druid Hill Family Center Y, 1609 Druid Hill Avenue
Weinberg Family Center Y, 900 E. 33rd Street

Join your local Y Family Center to celebrate spring with a family fun event. Bring your imagination and welcome warmer weather with things that FLING! Catapults, fun rockets, and assorted flying crafts will be part of the fun. Bring a picnic, and your Family Center Y will provide the side items. This event is free for members, $5 for community members, and $10 for families. Event times and activities vary by location, so please call either the Druid Hill Family Center Y at 410-728-1600 or the Weinberg Family Center Y at 410-889-9622 for details.

Walk to Cure Arthritis

Saturday, May 16, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Druid Hill Park

The Walk to Cure Arthritis is the Arthritis Foundation's nationwide signature event. It unites communities across the country to put an end to arthritis. The event features a three-mile and a one-mile course, and includes arthritis information and activities for the entire family. Registration starts at 8:00 am, and the walk starts at 9:00 am. For more information or to register, visit walktocurearthritisbaltimore.kintera.org.

Vessel Safety Day & Boaters' Flea Market

Saturday, May 16, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
BMC at Lighthouse Point, 2736 Lighthouse Point East
BMC at Harborview, 500 Harborview Drive

Baltimore Marine Centers will kick off Safe Boating Week with the annual safety day on May 16. Come out for a boaters' flea market and engage with local vendors and exhibitors. Guests can also bring their own tables to barter or sell boat equipment and nautical gear (RSVP to jessicab@baltimoremarinecenter.com if you plan on participating in the flea market). Baltimore Marine Centers will also offer free dockage to all boaters for a vessel safety inspection from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. For more information, visit www.BMCMarinas.com.

Art Outside

Sunday, May 17, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Druid Hill Park

Art Outside recaptures the spirit of the historic outdoor festival that was held on Sundays around the Druid Hill Reservoir during the 1950s and 1960s, connecting communities and local artisans. This day-long arts festival will feature performing arts, strolling entertainment, a "Kids Art Adventure," some of Baltimore's best Food Trucks, and of course, Maryland artists showing and selling their artwork. For more information, visit www.artoutsidemd.org.

Community Action Day

Tuesday, May 19, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm 
All Baltimore City Community Action Partnership Centers

Celebrate Community Action Month with a morning-long resource fair! Residents will be able to receive information on a number of service providers, connect with services, receive health screenings, take workshops in financial literacy, food, and nutrition, and much more. For more information, visit humanservices.baltimorecity.gov, call 410-545-6958, or visit your local Community Action Center.

Community Action Centers

• Northern: 5225 York Road
• Northwestern: 3939 Reisterstown Road
• Southern: 606 Cherry Hill Road
• Southeastern: 3411 Bank Road
• Eastern: 1400 E. Federal Street

Baltimore Herb Festival

Saturday, May 23, 9:30 am – 3:00 pm
Leakin Park

It's the Year of Savory at the Baltimore Herb Festival! Browse more than 50 herb & plant vendors. Enjoy lectures, live music, exhibitors, and great food. There will even be free miniature train rides for the kids! The Baltimore City Department of Recreation of Parks' Horticulture Division will also be on-hand selling bulbs from the Conservatory's spring flower display. Admission is just $7 for adults, and children 12 and under are free. For more information, visit www.baltimoreherbfestival.com.

Big Truck Day

Saturday, May 23, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Highway

Bring the entire family to see the big trucks and other vehicles that keep Baltimore City running. Explore vehicles used by the Fire Department, the Police Department, the Department of Transportation, the Department of General Services, the Department of Public Works, and more. The event is free (museum admission not included). For more information call 410-545-6541 or visit publicworks.baltimorecity.gov.

Springtime Fresh Harvest

Saturday, May 30, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Under the Jones Falls Expressway at Holliday & Saratoga Streets
(site of the Baltimore Farmers' Market)

It's Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake's Springtime Fresh Harvest! Take home fresh produce provided by the Maryland Food Bank, while supplies last. Don't forget to bring a shopping bag! On-site registration is required—one registrant per family, one bag of food per registrant. For more information, contact marva.williams@baltimorecity.gov or 443-984-1650.

Ongoing Adventures

Waterfront Wellness Expands to Weeknights

May 23 – September 20
West Shore Park & Pierce's Park

The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore has expanded the Waterfront Wellness fitness series to Tuesday and Wednesday evenings at Pierce’s Park, along Pier IV. Registration for classes is open now. The Waterfront Wellness Series is free and open to the public, but registration is required. For more information or to register, visit www.waterfrontpartnership.org.

Eat Healthy, Shop Smart

Tuesdays through June 16, 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
All Baltimore City Community Action Centers

The Baltimore City Community Action Partnership presents this resource-filled food and nutrition program. Participants will receive budgeting help, shopping and nutrition tips, cooking demonstrations, MedStar Family Choice fitness tips, and a small food supplement box. For more information or to register, visit humanservices.baltimorecity.gov, call 410-545-6958, or visit your local Community Action Center.

Community Action Centers

• Northern: 5225 York Road
• Northwestern: 3939 Reisterstown Road
• Southern: 606 Cherry Hill Road
• Southeastern: 3411 Bank Road
• Eastern: 1400 E. Federal Street

Baltimore National Heritage Area Walking Tours

Daily, May 1 – October 31
See below for times and locations 

The Baltimore National Heritage Area offers guided walking tours throughout the summer and into the fall! Join in and explore Baltimore City's history and heritage. City employees and their families receive half-off the regular admission; just show your city issued ID when registering for your tour. Group tours are available with a reservation. For more information, visit www.explorebaltimore.org or call 410-878-6411 ext. 1.

• Heritage Walk: 10:00 am & 1:00 pm
  Baltimore Visitor Center, 401 S. Light Street
• Historic Fell’s Point: 11:00 am
  Fell’s Point Preservation Society, 1724 Thames Street

Dance Theatre of Harlem: Forty Years of Firsts

Through August 30
Wednesday – Saturday, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; Sundays, 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Reginald F. Lewis Museum, 830 E. Pratt Street

Explore a special exhibition highlighting the accomplishments of African Americans and other minorities who defied stereotypes to pursue their passion and pave the way for future generations of artists. Admission is $8; $6 for senior citizens (65+), youth (7 – 17), and students (with ID); and free for members, children under six, and Maryland public school teachers. For more information, visit www.rflewismuseum.org or call 443-263-1875.