MAYOR'S HOT LINKS

Gold Card for Seniors

Vote for Baltimore: DeWees Recreation Center

Star-Spangled Sailabration Volunteers Needed

BGE to Provide Exelon Rate Credit

FlowerMart

Ciclovía 5

Kinetic Sculpture Race

Books for Kids Day

Good Neighbor Day

Blue Grass BARCS Fundraiser

BCCC Community Open House Week

Ukrainian Days in Baltimore

Grants 101 Workshop

Big Truck Day

Employ-ABLE

Milestones Awards and Advocacy Dinner

Yesterday, Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld announced his retirement after 31 years as a member of the Baltimore Police Department and five years as Commissioner. He has been a great public servant for the people of Baltimore throughout his entire career.

While I am saddened to announce his retirement, I respect his decision to retire after decades of service to spend more time with his family. Please join me in wishing him the best retirement.

At my request, Commissioner Bealefeld has agreed work on a transition and succession plan during the course of the next several weeks. His retirement is effective August 1. A professional, national search process for the Commissioner’s replacement will commence immediately. In the meantime, our mission to build on our successes reducing violent crime continues.

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

The Baltimore City Health Department’s Office of Aging & CARE Services recently announced new resources available to seniors and persons with disabilities. The Gold Card is a new form that seniors can fill out. It lists key information an emergency responder would need to know in a medical emergency. The form can be displayed in the home and includes a wallet size card for an individual to carry. The Gold Card can be obtained at dozens of sites across the city, including senior centers, libraries, health centers, Social Security offices, and senior high-rise residential buildings. For more information, call 410-396-CARE (2273).

To inspire hope and bring change to struggling communities, Maxwell House is launching the second year of “Drops of Good: The Maxwell House Community Project” to help revitalize crucial community centers. This year, Baltimore's DeWees Recreation Center has been chosen to compete. Three of the participating centers will receive up to $50,000 in renovations. Vote now, and vote daily for the DeWees Recreation Center.

The Star-Spangled Sailabration is an international parade of tall ships and naval vessels. These ships sail into Baltimore June 13-19 for the national launch of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812. Volunteers are needed to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime maritime event. Volunteer opportunities include cooking demonstration assistance, volleyball refereeing, hosting the guest services table, teaching people about the visiting ships, and much more. Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. To register as a volunteer, visit www.starspangled200.com/volunteering.

Residential BGE customers with active gas and/or electric distribution accounts on May 1, 2012 will receive a rate credit in the amount of $100. The credit is a result of the Maryland Public Service Commission’s (PSC) review and approval of the merger of Constellation Energy and Exelon, which was completed on March 12, 2012. Customers do not need to take any action to receive the rate credit, which will be applied automatically. Most customers will receive the credit by the end of May. For more information regarding the Exelon Rate Credit, visit www.bge.com.

FlowerMart is back with food, fun, flowers, and more in beautiful Mount Vernon Square. Enjoy live entertainment as you browse over 130 vendors. This year's contests include a pet mascot contest, wildflowers costume contest, dance contest, and of course, the Grand Hat Contest. This year, kids can play and create at the Beehive Children's Camp (Saturday, May 5, 12:00 pm-5:00 pm). For free and easy transportation, ride the Charm City Circulator. For more information, visit www.flowermart.org.

Bike or stroll between Roland Park and Druid Hill Park along three miles of car-free streets as you pass through some of the City’s most beautiful neighborhoods. Local bike shops will be on hand to tune bikes and instruct children on cycling safety. Bike Maryland will organize bike safety rodeos. Stop by Tunes @ The Tower at the Roland Water Tower (Roland Ave. and West University Pkwy.) from noon to 3:00 pm for food, drinks, live music, and a bike decorating workshop for kids. For more information, visit www.rolandpark.org/ciclovia.html.

The American Visionary Art Museum presents this 14th annual Baltimore tradition. Wacky, imaginative, totally human-powered works of art, constructed from used bicycles, gears, and parts, race on land, through mud, and over deep Harbor waters. Pilots (Kinetinauts) compete for the most coveted Mediocre Award (finishes right in the middle) and the highly prized Next-to-the-Last Award. For more information, including past race photos and a handy Spectator's Guide, visit www.kineticbaltimore.com or www.avam.org.

Baltimore Reads hosts its 17th annual Books for Kids Day. Donate new or gently used books to be redistributed through Baltimore Reads' Book Bank. Suggested donations include picture books, children’s fiction and nonfiction, young adult books, comics and graphic novels, and infant board books. Books written for adults are also welcome. For more information, call 410-752-3595 ext. 1118 or visit www.baltimorereads.org or www.booksforkidsday.org.

Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc. (CHAI) hosts a day of community giving to beautify northwest neighborhoods and help low-income neighbors with disabilities enhance their homes for the summer. Projects include stream cleanups, block beautification, community gardening, and non-skid safety strip installation for seniors. For more information or to volunteer, contact Shelley Weinreb at 410-500-5330, 410-241-8362, or sweinreb@chaiblatimore.org.

Sunday, May 6, 10:00 am-9:00 pm

Blue Grass Restaurant, 1500 S. Hanover Street

Blue Grass Restaurant hosts this all-day fundraiser for the Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS). Blue Grass will donate 10% of their daily sales to BARCS! For more information, visit www.bluegrasstavern.com or call 410-244-5101.

Baltimore City Community College invites members of the community to enjoy a variety of activities and learn about the school. Activities include a spring fashion show, community job fair, campus visits, and more. For a list of events or for more information, call 410-462-8300.

Throughout the month of May, Baltimore's Ukrainian community celebrates and shares its culture and heritage with Ukrainian Days in Baltimore. Events include a reception and photo exhibit at City Hall, art and live music at St. Michael's Ukrainian Church, a networking event, pysanka (Ukrainian Easter egg) demonstration, and more. For a list of events or more information, click here or contact Anna Yankova-White at 410-396-1034 or anna.yankova-white@baltimorecity.gov.

Citizens Planning and Housing Association presents the latest installment of Activate Your Inner Citizen, CPHA's free leadership training series. Learn the skills needed to find and write small grants, hosted by Abby Cocke of the Baltimore Office of Sustainability. Register at cphabaltimore.org/grants or call 410-539-1369 ext. 104 for more information.

Bring the whole family to see and explore the big trucks that Baltimore City uses to serve its residents. Vehicles such as the City’s largest tow truck, fire engines, police cars, rescue vehicles, dumpsters, and fire boats will be on display. Citizens can citizens to see, touch, and learn about nearly 20 different vehicles. The BMI will offer special admission rates to families who attend the event. For Big Truck Day only, admission is just $2 for Adults, and FREE for Children 12 and under. For more information, call 410-545-6541.

This World of Possibilities Expo and career fair is open to job seekers with disabilities. Employers representing a variety of positions will be on hand. Professional dress is required. Bring sufficient resumes. Admission is $3, or FREE for individuals who pre-register or who show a resume at the entrance. If special accommodation is needed, please make it known on the registration form. For more information, or to pre-register, visit expo.caringcommunities.org.

The League for People with Disabilities will partner with the Rotary Club of Baltimore to celebrate major milestones in the organizations’ histories and honor local residents. The Milestones awards and advocacy dinner will benefit The League’s Camp Greentop, a pioneering recreation program for children and adults with disabilities, based in the heart of Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains. Enjoy gourmet food, live entertainment, and a silent auction. Tickets are $100 and must be purchased in advance. For more information, call 410-323-0500 ext. 311 or buy tickets online at www.leagueforpeople.org.