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Pet Adoption Olympics

Breast Cancer Funding Opportunities

RFQ: Waverly Branch Library Art Project

Baltimore CityView

Grace Beauty Speed Organization Registration

Druid Hill Farmers' Market

After Hours with the Animals

Flicks from the Hill

Belvedere Square Summer Sounds

Public Art Commission Meeting

NEC FUTURE Public Scoping Open House

Family Music Jam & Movie Festival in the Park

LGBT Cookout and Talent Showcase

Mayor's Back to School Rally

Come Home to Baltimore

Today, I testified before the House Ways and Means Committee in support of the bill to expand gaming in Maryland. This legislation will help us establish a world-class, competitive gaming and entertainment destination that will create more jobs, provide additional education funding to the State, help reduce property taxes for city homeowners, and fund school construction with local revenue.

As we recover from the Great Recession, it is important that we do everything we can to help create jobs. Expanding gaming in Maryland to allow for table games means more job opportunities at a time when we need them most. In Baltimore, we estimate that allowing table games will create an additional 500 job opportunities.

When you look at all Baltimore has to offer—our beautiful harbor, hotels, restaurants, major league sports stadiums, and other attractions—you can see that our casino project will only add to and strengthen the city’s existing assets. With a more competitive product, the new site will attract thousands more visitors to Baltimore and support our tourism economy.

Table games will also bring additional revenue to the State’s Education Trust Fund, which provides the majority of Baltimore City Public Schools funding. My father helped establish the City-State partnership for our schools. If not for funding from the State’s Education Trust fund, Baltimore’s Schools would not have achieved the great progress they’ve made.

Finally, the success of the project is an important component of our goal of growing Baltimore’s population by 10,000 families. When you ask families what they need to come to Baltimore and stay in Baltimore, lower property taxes are of the utmost importance. We have put forward a smart and responsible plan to cut property taxes for homeowners 20 cents by 2020. A profitable facility is one of the only tangible ways that Baltimore will be able to lower property taxes for city homeowners.

Today, I asked our leaders in Annapolis for their support of the legislation so that Baltimore can create jobs, strengthen our public schools, and lower property taxes. This legislation recognizes the need to make Maryland’s gaming program as competitive as possible while giving the voters of Maryland the final say on the issue.

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

Now through October 31, the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) will waive all adoption fees. BARCS needs your help to win the ASPCA Rachel Ray 100k Challenge by saving the most homeless animals over a three month period. Visit BARCS today and take home a champion! For more information, visit baltimoreanimalshelter.org.

The Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen has released their Request for Applications (RFA) for the 2013-14 grant cycle. Grant awards up to $150,000 will be made to support collaborative and innovative programs that increase mammography screening rates and decrease late stage diagnosis, especially among those who are disproportionately affected by this disease. Komen Maryland will offer free grant writing workshops in August and September for those interested in applying for funds. For more information about workshops, or to obtain the RFA, visit www.komenmd.org or contact Rebecca McCoy at 410-938-8990.

The City of Baltimore and the Baltimore Public Art Commission are seeking artists to create a permanent display as part of the Waverly Branch Library. The commissioned artist(s) will work closely with building staff, the project design team, and the local community association to propose a site and develop a public art design concept. The deadline for submissions is Monday, September 3, 2012. For more information, visit www.promotionandarts.org or call 410-752-8632.

Looking for City Services near you? CityView is Baltimore’s mapping portal, providing information on a variety of topics of interest for citizens, visitors, researchers, and businesses. The site is updated regularly. Simply enter your address to locate services such as city pools, cooling centers, parks, schools, and much more. To start your search, visit cityview.baltimorecity.gov.

Grace Beauty Speed Organization builds healthy lifestyles, self-awareness, self-image, and self-esteem in young girls through distance running. GBS is currently registering for its Youth USA Track & Field club level cross country season. This middle/long distance running club for ages 7-18 is a great way for participants to stay healthy and active through the school year. Registration is $75. For more information, visit www.gracebeautyspeed.org.

At the farmers market, there's something for everyone! Browse local produce, fresh baked goods, free range eggs and meats, arts & crafts, and more. Activities include, but are not limited to, family yoga, live music, kids’ crafts, hay rides, and workshops. For more information, call 443-469-8274 or 410-396-0008. A list of events can be found at www.rawlingsconservatory.org or druidhillpark.org.

Experience an evening at the zoo with a cool summer stroll among the animals. Every Thursday in July and August, the zoo is open late! Bring the family or someone special for a rare chance to explore the exhibits after hours. After 4:00 pm, enjoy half off regular admission rates. For more information, visit www.marylandzoo.org.

Grab a blanket, picnic under the stars, and watch a great film selection inspired by AVAM's current exhibition ALL THINGS ROUND: Galaxies, Eyeballs & Karma. The Hughes Family Outdoor Theater features seating for more than a thousand on the natural amphitheater formed by Federal Hill. Enjoy a twinkling view of the city and an amazing FREE community experience. Admission to the museum is free between 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm on movie nights! For more information, visit avam.org or call 410-244-1900.

Belvedere Square's ever-popular Friday night outdoor concert series is back! Enjoy gourmet food and drinks from the restaurants and market at Belvedere Square while listening to the sounds of summer with some of Baltimore’s hottest bands! For more information, visit www.belvederesquare.com.

The Baltimore Public Art Commission is responsible for administering the City’s 1% For Public Art Program, as well as the review and approval of all gifts of permanent public art to the City of Baltimore. The first Baltimore Public Art Commission meeting of the year is open to the public. For more information, visit www.promotionandarts.org.

NEC FUTURE is an initiative of the Federal Railroad Administration to develop a passenger rail solution for the Northeast Corridor (NEC). The Baltimore City Department of Transportation, in partnership with NEC FUTURE, will host one of nine East Coast public scoping meetings to provide information and discussion regarding the project. Residents with questions about the meeting in Baltimore can contact Mary Colleen Buettner, DOT Planning Division, at mary.buettner@baltimorecity.gov or 443-984-4095. For more information, visit www.necfuture.com.

Featherstone Music hosts this open mic jam session, including instrumental music, singing, and poetry. All ages are encouraged sign up and share their talent. Following the open mic jam session, enjoy an outdoor movie in the park. This month's movie is Happy Feet Two. Don’t forget to bring a chair. For more information, visit musicjamparkmoviefestival.org.

Join the Baltimore City Health Department, the Status Update Campaign, and 3 the Hardway at the annual LGBT Community Cookout. The evening includes a card tournament, giveaways and raffles, free HIV testing, and a talent show with prizes. Talent sign-up closes at 6:00 pm, so arrive early to sign up. For more information contact Keith Holt at (443) 690-5044 or keith.holt@baltimorecity.gov.

Do you know a Baltimore City Schools student or parent? Monday, August 27 is the first day of the new school year! Join the entire City Schools community for live music, performances, and surprise guests! Obtain free school supplies, and ensure that students' immunizations are up to date (make sure to bring current health records to the rally). For more information, call 443-984-1650, email back2schoolrally@baltimorecity.gov, or visit www.baltimorecityschools.org/backtoschool.

Join the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for this ice cream social, and learn more about homebuying incentives. Find out about Baltimore's Vacants to Value and Healthy Neighborhoods incentives, and get information on low mortgage rates and closing cost assistance available through the Maryland Mortgage Program. For more information, contact Catherine Howard at 410-514-7507 or email howard@mdhousing.org.