|
February 15, 2013
In this issue:
Mayor's Hot Links
Baltimore Snapshot
Special Notices
Baltimore CASH Campaign Tax Preparation
Balancing the Budget
Heart the Harbor Contest
Upcoming Events
School 33 Art Classes
Black History Month at the B&O
The Wiz
Great Conservatories of the 19th Century
Torn Asunder
African American Family Festival
Fest-of-All Gala & Fashion Show
Happy Birthday to the B&O
Receivership 101
Neighborhood Institute: Love Where You Live
Finding Your Path to Breast Health
|
Dear Friends:
 Our charge is to grow
Baltimore, to rebuild a thriving city where more families choose to live, but
we cannot build the foundation of a growing city on the mud of a fiscal swamp.
In Monday’s State
of the City Address, we proposed a bold set of major reforms as part of the
City’s first Ten-Year
Financial Plan to confront the serious financial challenges facing the City
over the next decade. The tough reforms—including proposed changes to City
employee pensions and benefits, the City’s tax structure, vehicle fleet, zoning
code, and overall municipal operations—would amount to the most significant
changes to the way the City does business in generations.
The Ten-Year Financial Plan
requires tough trade-offs and major changes to past practices, but it also
makes investments that reward the future. As a community, we must reject the
status quo and embrace a call for bold action.
If these bold reforms are
enacted, the City’s improved fiscal foundation would help achieve our goal to
grow Baltimore by 10,000 families by eliminating a $750 million structural budget deficit—protecting basic City services from
further cuts; allowing new investments in neighborhood infrastructure, including
repairing roads and City facilities and rebuilding ten recreation centers; and providing
a funding surge for the demolition of more than 4,000 vacant homes—all while
reducing homeowner property taxes by more than 20% over the next ten years.
The question for this
generation of city leadership is this: Will Baltimore cement a true turnaround
toward a future of growth? Or will we allow our hard-fought victories to become
just a momentary pause—a footnote—in a continuing story of decline?
Baltimore is on the cusp of a
proud renewal. Now is the time. We can
change to grow.
We will host a kick-off
presentation of Change to Grow: A
Ten-Year Financial Plan for Baltimore before an audience of hundreds of city
stakeholders, including community groups, business and institutional leaders,
elected officials, and others to provide even more specific details and
information about each initiative.
The event will take place on
Wednesday, February 20, at 10:30 am at the Walters Art Museum, Graham
Auditorium, 600 North Charles Street. Seating is limited. Attendees must
RSVP by Friday, February 15 to mayoreventrsvp@baltimorecity.gov.
For the full text of the State of the City Address,
visit www.baltimorecity.gov.
|
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
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun
WJZ
Baltimore Business Journal
WBALTV
Baltimore Snapshot
 Heavy equipment prepares to demolish long-blighted properties on Normal Avenue in Darley Park—an example of how Vacants to Value is working to bring change and growth Baltimore's neighborhoods.
Mayor Rawlings-Blake's Vacants to Value initiative encourages reinvestment in neighborhoods by strengthening code enforcement, promoting rehabilitation, streamlining the sale of vacant property, and providing incentives for buyers who invest in vacant properties.
Baltimore CASH Campaign Tax Preparation
The Baltimore CASH Campaign strives to provide working families access to the tools and services they need to maximize their earning dollars. Free services are provided to taxpayers with incomes under $50,000 and single taxpayers (no dependents) with incomes under $25,000. Visit a free tax preparation site to see what you may qualify for. Trained and certified volunteers will prepare and e-file your taxes for free, and even help you set up direct deposit for a faster refund. For more information, visit www.baltimorecashcampaign.org.
Balancing the Budget
The Baltimore City Finance Department's Bureau of Budget Management and Research has prepared an online worksheet, where you can work to "balance the budget." Provide your insight regarding the choices Baltimore City currently faces. How would you balance the City’s budget? Feedback from the exercise will be shared with Mayor Rawlings-Blake to help guide her decisions in the upcoming budget process. To learn more about Baltimore’s budget process, visit www.baltimorecity.gov/budget.
Heart the Harbor Contest
Love is floating along the Waterfront this Valentine’s season. Through February 28, hearts with the Waterfront Partnership’s logo will be scattered along the Waterfront, from Rusty Scupper to Bond Street Wharf. Visit the Harbor to locate a heart and show some love by taking a photo. Submit the picture to beth@waterfrontpartnership.org for a chance to win prizes from some of Baltimore’s most beloved organizations, including the Maryland Science Center, the National Aquarium, Landmark Theatre, Power Plant Live!, and restaurants like Phillips Seafood, Talara Baltimore, Lebanese Taverna, and Rusty Scupper. For more information, visit www.waterfrontpartnership.org.
School 33 Art Classes
Various dates and times
School 33 Art Center, 1427 Light Street
Artists of all skill levels can explore their talents. Instructors are experienced educators and renowned artists who offer one-on-one attention. Beginner to expert, hobbyist to pro, classes stay small to create a fun, low-pressure environment where you can grow as an artist. For more information, or a list of classes and fees, visit www.school33.org or call 443-263-4350.
Black History Month at the B&O
Throughout February, 10:00 am (11:00 am on Sundays) – 4:00 pm
B&O Railroad Museum, 901 West Pratt Street
Celebrate Black History Month with the B&O Railroad Museum as they reveal a new exhibit celebrating the contributions of African Americans to the railroad industry. Learn about these men and women who filled vital jobs along the B&O Railroad's line and understand how significant social issues, such as segregation, affected railroading. New exhibits also focus on African American passenger travel during segregation and the chefs and waiters who worked on B&O dining cars. For more information, visit www.borail.org.
The Wiz
Fridays and Saturdays in February, 7:00 pm
Cahill Performing Arts Center, 4001 Clifton Avenue
Artistic Director Charles Croxton and the Baltimore City Department of Recreation & Parks presents The Wiz: The Super Soulful Musical "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" at Cahill Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $5 for children, $10 for adults. Groups of 10 or more qualify for a group rate of $3 per person. For more information, call 410-396-0259 or email charles.croxton@baltimorecity.gov.
Great Conservatories of the 19th Century
Wednesday, February 20, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens, Druid Hill Park
Join Alan Stein, owner of Tanglewood Conservatories, to explore the rich history of great conservatories and their architectural significance. Revisit spaces that are gone but not forgotten—some in Baltimore City Parks. Learn about enduring gems worldwide that have influenced the design of conservatories from the 19th Century through today. Space at this lecture is limited; tickets are $20. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 410-396-0008 or visit www.rawlingsconservatory.org/conservatory-lecture.
Torn Asunder
Friday February 22, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm
City Hall, Hyman Aaron Pressman Board Room, 100 N. Holliday Street
In commemoration of Black History Month, the February installments of It’s More Than History, a brown bag lecture series on Baltimore's history, honor the legacy of African Americans. Torn Asunder: The Civil War, Mid-Stream is comprised of three ten-minute original plays focusing on the struggle for emancipation in the Border States, performed by students from the Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA). Bring your favorite brown bag lunch and a photo ID for entry.
African American Family Festival
Saturday, February 23, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
The Walters Art Museum, 600 North Charles Street
Join The Walters Art Museum to celebrate the music and culture of Africa. Explore the rhythm, harmony, and movement of a people, and travel Africa in search of mystical masks, jangling jewelry, and colorful costumes. At this annual festival, enjoy amazing performances, innovative art activities, and much more. For more information, visit thewalters.org.
Fest-of-All Gala & Fashion Show
Saturday, February 23, 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Highway
Beat the winter doldrums with the 6th Annual Fest-of-All Gala & Fashion Show. Fest-of-All showcases the best of Federal Hill, featuring fine food & drink from the area’s great restaurants and taverns, a runway fashion show with the latest attire from local boutiques, live music, and a silent auction. Tickets are $75 in advance, $90 at the door. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.historicfederalhill.org.
Happy Birthday to the B&O
Saturday – Sunday, February 23 – 24, various times
B&O Railroad Museum, 901 West Pratt Street
Celebrate the B&O's 186th birthday and the 129th birthday of the historic 1884 Baldwin Roundhouse. The B&O Railroad Museum will offer a special weekend of train rides and highlight educational programs on the birth of the oldest railroad in America. During the celebration, all visitors receive half-price admission. With paid admission, train rides are $3.00 for adults, $2.00 for children, and free for B&O members. For more information, visit www.borail.org.
Receivership 101
Wednesday, February 27, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Southeast Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Avenue
This workshop, presented by Baltimore Housing, is part of the Vacants to Value Baltimore Builds Workshop Series. Learn the basics about receivership and how it relates to Mayor Rawlings-Blake's Vacants to Value initiative. Admission is free, but seating is limited. Pre-registration is required. For more information or to RSVP, call 410-396-4111 or email V2V@baltimorecity.gov. To learn more about Vacants to Value, visit www.baltimorehousing.org/vacants_to_value.
Neighborhood Institute: Love Where You Live
Saturday, March 9, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
The Inn at the Colonnade, 4 W. University Parkway
Join Greater Homewood Community Corporation for the 6th annual Neighborhood Institute: Love Where You Live. Led by some of Baltimore’s best and brightest activists, artists, educators, and leaders, the Neighborhood Institute is a day-long series of free workshops focused on educating city residents about what they can do to help build and strengthen vibrant urban communities. This event attracts over 200 attendees each year, and proceeds benefit GHCC’s work in neighborhoods and public schools. For more information or to register, click here.
Finding Your Path to Breast Health
Saturday, March 9, 8:00 am – 12:00 pm (check-in at 7:30 am)
New Psalmist Baptist Church, 6020 Marian Drive
The Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure hosts this free symposium. Join master of ceremonies Kelly Swoope, co-anchor and health reporter for abc2news, and a host of expert presenters and panelists. Learn to make healthy choices to reduce your risk of breast cancer, hear from local survivors and breast health experts, and connect with valuable community resources. The event is free, but registration by Friday, March 1 is required. For more information or to register, visit www.komenmd.org or call 410-938-8990.
|
