Baltimore National Heritage Area Tours

Susan G. Komen for the Cure Grants

War of 1812 Exhibit at City Hall

ZooBOOO!

Walk for Maryland's Children

Harbor East Fall Harvest Fest

Great Big Halloween Parade of Light

Mums & Memories

Financial Fitness Series

Eureka! Jewelry Fair

Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower Open Studio Day

Reginald F. Lewis Museum Exhibits

A Time to Heal

Living Life Golden Kickoff

Gems of American Music

This week, I joined city agency heads, representatives of the United Way of Central Maryland, urban farmers, healthy food advocates, and residents of historic Reservoir Hill to commemorate the country’s first National Food Day. Standing at the site of one of Baltimore’s newest community gardens, I announced a series of events and partnerships to increase access to affordable and sustainable food in Baltimore City.

Food Day is a nationwide celebration to promote healthy, affordable, and sustainably grown food. The goal is to raise awareness for improved food policies—nationally, regionally, and locally. National Food Day is organized around six principles, which include expanding access to food and alleviating hunger, reducing diet-related diseases, promoting health by curbing junk-food marketing to kids, and supporting sustainable farms.

For the first time in many years, Baltimore is increasing the choices residents have for securing healthy, affordable food. We are supporting people and organizations that want to increase the number of urban farms, public markets, and farmers markets in our communities. By working collaboratively, we can begin to implement solutions to the challenge of improving the health of all Baltimore residents.

The new Baltimore Food Policy Initiative has received national recognition for its efforts to improve access to healthy, affordable foods in food deserts—areas where residents lack access to healthy food options. I am grateful for the many public-private partnerships created by the City’s Food Policy Advisory Committee (Food PAC), Baltimore’s equivalent to a food policy council.

In addition to our celebration of urban farming, we also announced exciting new partnerships to improve food access in Baltimore. The Howard Park community will receive $759,000 from the national Healthy Food Financing Initiative to help with the construction of a new grocery store. A new $1.7 million grant from the Federal Fruit and Vegetable Program will help 83 participating schools receive $50 per child to serve fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks during the school day. And, the United Way of Central Maryland recently announced a new Access to Healthy Food Initiative, which is committed to source, distribute, and increase access to 1.5 million pounds of healthy food for 60,000 central Marylanders.

On Tuesday, I was honored to travel to Chicago to join First Lady Michelle Obama and Mayor Rahm Emanuel at the Mayor's Conference on Food Access. It was a tremendous opportunity to share Baltimore’s progress with leaders from across the country and to learn what other cities are doing to improve access to healthy food and eliminate food deserts.

For more information on the Baltimore Food Policy Initiative, click here.

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 Twitter.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

WBAL-TV

WJZ

Monday, October 31 is the last day of the season to take advantage of free urban ranger-led walking tours. Take the opportunity to enjoy cooler temperatures, get some exercise, and learn more about Charm City. Both Heritage Walk and Mount Vernon tours depart from the Inner Harbor Visitor Center daily. Each tour is 90 minutes; feel free to walk the entire 1.2 miles or stop at any of the interesting sites along the way. Additionally, consider visiting the Pennsylvania Ave Heritage Trail and the Historic Fell’s Point Trail before October 31. For more information, visit the Baltimore National Heritage Area.

The Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure announces the release of its Request for Applications for grant funding in 2012-13. Last year, Komen Maryland awarded nearly $2.5 million to 29 breast cancer programs across the state. Grants will be made to support collaborative and innovative programs to reduce breast cancer disparities and mortality across Maryland. Nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, and educational institutions in Maryland are eligible to apply. The deadline for applications is November 14, 2011. Komen Maryland offers free grant writing workshops for those interested in applying. For more information or to obtain the Request for Applications, visit www.komenmd.org or contact Rebecca McCoy at 410-938-8990.

Large-format imagery and multimedia presentations bring to life a new traveling exhibit, “Defense of a Nation: Maryland in the War of 1812.” The exhibit will be on display in the City Hall rotunda and focuses on the 1813-14 Chesapeake Campaign, as much of the war occurred on Maryland soil and in Chesapeake waters. Photo ID must be presented to enter City Hall. For more information, call the Baltimore National Heritage Area at 443-984-2369.

Calling all ghosts, goblins, and friendly monsters! Come to the Zoo dressed to impress and enjoy trick-or-treating, costume contests, fun carnival games, crafts, live entertainment, delicious food, and more! Kids are encouraged to bring goodie bags and wear costumes. If you forget your costume, face painting will be available for a small additional cost. Some games may require additional fees. For more information, visit www.marylandzoo.org.

Come early for the 1 mile Kids Fun Walk and 5k Family Walk or enjoy the Family Fair from 10:00 am-noon. Entertainment and activities include football clinics from Ravens Director of Player Personnel Eric DeCosta, hula hoop activities, food, face painting, giveaways, and more. For more information or to register, visit www.familytreemd.org or call 410-889-2300.

Celebrate autumn’s bounty While strolling the streets of one of the City’s vibrant waterfront neighborhoods. Enjoy live music, come face-to-face with spooky strolling entertainers, and discover a few “tricks” to savoring the season. The distinctive retailers and award-winning restaurants of Harbor East will also offer a few “treats.” For more information visit www.harboreast.com.

Wear a costume, make a luminaria or a glowing float, and bring a lantern. The Parade of Light & Luminaria will feature glowing otherworldly wild-things, stilt walkers, illuminated floats, marching bands, surprise performances, and more. The theme for this year's parade is Wildlights Wildlife, celebrating wildlife in the park and beyond (including extinct and mythological creatures). Workshops will help you create their likenesses with glowing lanterns and illuminated costumes created from repurposed materials. For more information, or a schedule of workshops, visit www.creativealliance.org.

The Rawlings Conservatory presents this annual show, featuring exquisite Cylburn Arboretum-grown chrysanthemums and a history exhibit that takes a look at Baltimore's horticultural past. Conservatory hours are Wednesdays-Sundays, 10:00 am-4:00 pm. Admission to the Conservatory during regular hours is free, with a suggested donation. Mums & Memories will open with a special Sneak Preview on Friday, October 28, 6:00-8:00 pm. Enjoy hot cider, cold beer, and light fare; admission to the sneak preview is $20. For more information, call 410-396-0008.

It's getting cold outside, and heating your home is costly. Join the Fuel Fund of Maryland for a workshop on strategies and programs that help keep your energy costs low throughout the year. Gain insights on how to prevent turn-offs, eviction, and foreclosure due to unpaid energy bills. For more information, visit www.baltimorecashcampaign.org.

This 8th annual jewelry event will showcase 20 of America’s best jewelers. Pieces will vary in style from traditional to contemporary. The weekend will include lectures, a children’s jewelry making workshop, an opening night party, gallery talks, and a unique treasure hunt offering visitors the chance to take home a piece of jewelry hidden within the galleries. Admission is $15, and includes the entry fee to both the Jewelry Fair for the entire weekend and the Walters’ special exhibition Lost and Found: The Secrets of Archimedes. For more information visit thewalters.org or call 410-547-9000.

Get a sneak peek into the studios of professional artists and view their vivid artwork. Artists will showcase their talents with original art, including theatrical scripts, mixed media, paintings, photography, sculptures, dramatic performances, and more. For more information, visit www.bromoseltzerartstower.com.

The Reginald F. Lewis Museum hosts two intercultural exhibitions, Beyond Baseball: the Life of Roberto Clemente and IndiVisible: African-Native American Lives in the Americas. These exhibits document the connections between African Americans and other cultures. For more information and a list of events relating to the exhibits, visit www.africanamericanculture.org.

A Time to Heal will honor families who have lost a child or teen to violence. Featured speaker Dr. Lonise Boas and other invited guests will share experiences and offer remarks. This event is free to attend, but RSVP is required. For more information or to RSVP, visit atimetoheal.eventbrite.com or call 410-467-1605.

The 2nd annual Patricia and Arthur Modell Symposium on Domestic Violence will bring attention to the issue of domestic violence. The cost is $50 per person and includes the symposium, lunch, parking, and three continuing education credits with advance registration. Space is limited. For more information, or to register, visit www.ssw.umaryland.edu/modell.

Belvedere Assisted Living is undertaking the renovation of a commercial space into its latest project, Living Life Golden Senior Assisted Living Facility (LLG). Join Belvedere for an informative dinner and gain insight into Belvedere's history and mission. Tickets are available for a $25 donation. For more information, visit belvederefundraising.org or call 443-570-9064.

Handel Choir's Chandos Singers, conducted by Melinda O'Neal and James Houston, join for a concert of choral and organ selections to benefit the restoration of the historic Niemann organ. The concert features the music of Katharine E. Lucke, founder of Handel Choir and director of the Peabody Conservatory, along with a nod to the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812 and additional selections. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 410-685-2330 or email MusicCommittee@firstunitarian.net.