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November 16, 2012
In this issue:
Mayor's Hot Links
Baltimore Snapshot
Special Notices
Thanksgiving Day Service Changes
PNC Transformative Art Project
75 Journeys Home
Upcoming Events
It's a Waterfront Life
The League for People with Disabilities Benefit
Greater Mondawmin Community Luncheon
Baltimore Museum of Art Contemporary Wing Reopening
Public Forum with the Mayor's Advisory Council on MWBEs
Holiday Festival of Trains & Toys
Bazaart
FY 2014 Citizen Budget Workshop
Community Meeting on Disabilities
A Monumental Occasion
Holiday Poinsettia Display and Train Garden
TreeBaltimore Annual Meeting
Plants and People Sunday: Holiday Open House with Santa
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Dear Friends:
 This week, we revisited the 600 block of McCabe Avenue in North Baltimore for a special celebration. In May of 2010, McCabe was the sight of our first Vacants to Value demolition, which eliminated 34 vacant structures from the community. On Tuesday, we celebrated the work being done by Habitat for Humanity of the Chesapeake, which has begun the task of breathing new life into this neighborhood with 21 newly renovated homes.
For too many years, the City’s bureaucracy prevented groups like Habitat for Humanity from taking ownership of vacant and blighted properties. But in 2010, we removed many of the barriers that prevented groups from investing in our communities and helping people find housing in Baltimore’s wonderful, diverse neighborhoods.
In May of 2011, at the Vacants to Value demolition, this was a different community. Six decades of disinvestment left neighborhoods throughout the city with vacant and blighted properties. We knew that Baltimore needed to find a new, market-driven approach to eliminating blight that would create new opportunities for homeownership and stimulate growth throughout the city.
As part of our Vacants to Value strategy, we have launched targeted code enforcement efforts to ensure that all blighted, vacant buildings are rehabilitated, sold, or demolished. What’s more, Vacants to Value is bolstered by our Power In Dirt initiative, which hands over vacant lots to individuals and groups who want to remove blight from our communities by creating green space. In the first year of Power in Dirt, over 737 lots were adopted by residents. That is 1.4 million square feet, or 31 acres, of City land that now exists as a community farm, flower garden, park, or playground.
Change is never going to happen overnight, but thanks to innovative strategy and the perseverance of community leaders, change has come to the McCabe community. Our demolitions and new home construction will be the catalyst for further growth here and all over Baltimore. For more information, visit www.baltimorehousing.org/vacants_to_value.
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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
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Baltimore Snapshot
 Mayor Rawlings-Blake checks out an e-book from the Pennsylvania Avenue branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library using her mobile phone to access the new Pratt eLibrary. The branch celebrated its grand re-opening this week, after months of high-tech renovation. The Pratt eLibrary provides convenient, cutting-edge digital content to all of Baltimore's residents.
Thanksgiving Day Service Changes
City offices will be closed on Thursday, November 22, due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Please note the following changes to City services:
- All City buildings, with the exception of Police HQ, will be closed.
- Citizens will be unable to access City offices for bill payments or permits. Some bills can be paid online at www.baltimorecity.gov.
- Trash and recycling will not be collected. Saturday, November 24 will be the make-up collection day.
- No bulk trash collections will be scheduled.
- Citizen drop-off centers will be closed.
- Street sweeping will not take place.
- Parking meters will not be in effect.
PNC Transformative Art Project
For the second year, the PNC Transformative Art Project will distribute funds to qualified neighborhood associations and community-based nonprofit groups to strengthen neighborhoods through major art projects. Communities will partner with artists to permanently reinvent community spaces using art. Interested communities and artists must attend an application workshop. For more information, or to learn how to apply, visit www.promotionandarts.com or call 410-752-8632.
75 Journeys Home
In January 2013, the Mayor’s Office of Human Services – Homeless Services Program, in partnership with the Baltimore Home for Good campaign, will undertake an exciting new project: 75 Journeys Home. An extension of the annual homeless census, 75 Journeys Home will identify the most vulnerable homeless people and connect them to housing and services. Volunteers are desperately needed to help with the homeless census January 27-January 30. To sign up, or for more information, visit facebook.com/BaltimoreHomeForGoodCampaign or www.journeyhomebaltimore.com.
It’s a Waterfront Life
Through December 31
Inner Harbor/Harbor East
It’s the most wonderful time of year on the Baltimore Waterfront! Holiday activities for revelers of all ages include special events, discounted parking, dining specials, lantern parades, reindeer rides, carolers and more. This year sees the return of the Power Plant Holiday Light Show Spectacular, and Harbor East’s Window Wonderland with amazing window displays decorated by local artists. For more information and a list of upcoming activities and events, visit waterfrontpartnership.org.
The League for People with Disabilities Benefit
Saturday, November 17, 11:00 am-4:00 pm
The League for People with Disabilities, 1111 E. Cold Spring Lane
This 12th annual sale of gently-worn fur coats and jackets will support programs that help improve the quality of life for children and adults with a wide range of disabilities. Clothing and accessories in leather and fabrics, as well as holiday gift items, will also be available. For more information, visit www.leagueforpeople.org or call 410-323-0500.
Greater Mondawmin Community Luncheon
Saturday, November 17, 11:00 am-2:00 pm
Leonard E. Hicks Community Center, 2718 W. North Avenue
The Greater Mondawmin Coordinating Council (GMCC) hosts this fundraiser luncheon to recognize the many individuals that have supported the Greater Mondawmin community. Entertainment will be provided by the Frederick Douglass High School band, and a fashion show presented by Baltimore's renowned Travis Winkey. Tickets are $35 and must be purchased in advance. For more information, contact GMCC at 410-523-4500 or email GMCC.fundraiser@gmail.com.
Baltimore Museum of Art Contemporary Wing Reopening
Sunday, November 18, 11:00 am-5:00 pm
Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive
The 16 galleries of BMA's 35,000 sq. ft. Contemporary Art Wing are undergoing a major transformation, and two new exhibitions will soon make their debut! Large-scale color photographs by South African artist Zwelethu Mthethwa will inaugurate a new project space for works by international, regional, and local artists; and a black box gallery presenting the latest video and digital artworks will feature A Man Screaming is Not a Dancing Bear by acclaimed artist collaborative Allora & Calzadilla. For more information, visit www.artbma.org.
Public Forum with the Mayor's Advisory Council on Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises
Monday, November 19, 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
Vollmer Center at Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue
Express yourself, and make a difference for minority and women-owned businesses in Baltimore! Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and the Mayor’s Advisory Council on Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises invite you to help shape the future of Baltimore by sharing your personal experiences as a minority or woman business owner in Baltimore. Testimony will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, or if you wish to testify, call 410-396-3818 or email myra.blanchard@baltimorecity.gov by Friday, November 16.
Holiday Festival of Trains & Toys
Friday, November 23-Monday, December 31
Monday-Saturday 10:00 am-4:00 pm; Sunday 11:00 am-4:00 pm
B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt Street
Festivities abound at the B&0 Railroad Museum throughout the holiday season. Santa and Mrs. Claus make a grand entrance in the Roundhouse on November 23 at 10:30 am, and weekend train rides with Santa continue through December 23 (times vary). Visitors can marvel at a LEGO model train layout from WamaLTC (Nov 23-Nov 25), and tons more limited-showing model trains. Activities continue throughout the season, including crafts, an indoor carousel, holiday story time, and live entertainment. For detailed dates and times, or a complete list of upcoming events, visit www.borail.org.
Bazaart
Saturday, November 24, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway
The American Visionary Art Museum's annual holiday marketplace offers original creations by over 50 regional artists. During Bazaart, shoppers can also tour the entire Jim Rouse Visionary Center for free. For more information, visit www.avam.org.
FY 2014 Citizen Budget Workshop
Thursday, November 29, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Digital Harbor High School, 1100 Covington Street
It's time to roll up your sleeves and help Mayor Rawlings-Blake with the tough budget decisions for the upcoming fiscal year. Participants will discuss the City’s fiscal situation and prepare their own recommendations about which services to fund or enhance and which services to reduce in order to craft a budget that keeps Baltimore moving forward. For more information, or if you need special accommodations or special language access for limited-English speaking persons, call 410-396-4735.
Community Meeting on Disabilities
Wednesday, December 5, 9:00 am-3:30 pm
The Vollmer Center, 4915 Greenspring Drive
The Mayor’s Commission on Disabilities and the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) invite you to join an in-depth discussion on how the City and DDA can better serve people with disabilities. Featured speakers include Dr. Nollie P. Wood, Jr., Executive Director of the Mayor's Commission on Disabilities, and Dr. Stanley Butkus, Deputy Director of DDA. These and other guest speakers will address topics including employment, community law enforcement, housing, public transit, and accessible transportation. For more information, or to learn how to register, call 410-234-8262 or email donna.will@maryland.gov.
A Monumental Occasion
Thursday, December 6, 5:30 pm-7:30 pm
Washington Monument, 600 N. Charles Street
Mount Vernon Place celebrates the holiday season with the 41st annual lighting of the Washington Monument. Enjoy an evening of live music, refreshments from local vendors, strolling entertainment, and more! Pre-event festivities will be hosted by MIX 106.5, and the lighting ceremony begin will begin at 7:00 pm. The lighting will take place at approximately 7:45 pm, accompanied by a colorful fireworks and laser finale.
Holiday Poinsettia Display and Train Garden
Preview Event: December 7, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
December 8-30
Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens, 3100 Swann Drive
All aboard the Poinsettia Express! The conservatory's annual poinsettia show and train garden return for 2012. Poinsettias are the signature holiday "flower," and red is no longer the main attraction! The conservatory showcases poinsettias in orange, pink with splashes of white, multi-color, and more. And don't forget the fundraiser preview event! Join Conservatory supporters for light refreshment, music, and a sneak-peek of the show. For more information or to purchase tickets to the preview event, visit www.rawlingsconservatory.org.
TreeBaltimore Annual Meeting
December 7, 12:30 pm–2:30 pm
The Vollmer Center, 4915 Greenspring Drive
TreeBaltimore serves as a resource to increase Baltimore's Urban Tree Canopy. If your organization has an interest in greening the city, join TreeBaltimore at its annual meeting. Learn from tree experts how to get your community involved and discuss what your neighborhood is already doing! Topics will include record keeping, planting and maintenance, and the tree stewardship program. Attendees should RSVP to charles.murphy@baltimorecity.gov. For more information, visit treebaltimore.baltimorecity.gov.
Plants and People Sunday: Holiday Open House with Santa
Sunday, December 9, 1:00 pm-4:00 pm
Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens, 3100 Swann Drive
Join Santa Claus and the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory for a holiday open house! The conservatory is fun for the whole family. Elementary-aged children will enjoy the Exploration Station as they experience educational, hands-on gardening and create a holiday project to take home. For more information, visit www.rawlingsconservatory.org.
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