|
February 22, 2013
In this issue:
Mayor's Hot Links
Baltimore Snapshot
Special Notices
Balancing the Budget
Seeking Nonprofit 2013 YouthWorks Sites
We Are the Dream Nominations
MECU Neighborhood Event Grant Applications
Baltimore TreeKeepers
Upcoming Events
The Wiz
African American Family Festival
Fest-of-All Gala & Fashion Show
Happy Birthday to the B&O
Receivership 101
Stormwater Utility Fee Information for Businesses
Neighborhood Institute: Love Where You Live
Finding Your Path to Breast Health
Cylburn Arboretum Events Open House
Friends of Fort McHenry Bull & Oyster Roast
Monk's Moods: A Tribute to Thelonius Monk
Spring Into Action
|
 On Wednesday, we presented Change
to Grow: A Ten-Year Financial Plan for Baltimore. Change to Grow is a
first-of-its kind, long-term fiscal road map to help achieve our goal to grow
Baltimore by 10,000 families over the next decade. It is born from a belief
that our work to get Baltimore growing again must be grounded first in stable
city finances.
In order for the city to grow, our city government
must end the chronic cycle of annual budget deficits that erode city services
and lay a strong fiscal foundation that allows us to work together to plan for
Baltimore’s renewal.
Make no mistake, Baltimore faces serious fiscal
challenges. That’s why this plan includes a bold set of major reforms to
fundamentally change the way the city does business. These proposed reforms
will help get Baltimore growing again by:
- Eliminating the
serious structural deficit and protecting basic city services from devastating
cuts.
- Making modern
investments in neighborhood and civic infrastructure while reducing vacant
blight.
- Further reducing
the property tax burden on city homeowners.
Implementing the plan will require tough trade-offs
and major changes to past practices, but doing so will help us make smart
investments that reward the future. In addition, the capital infrastructure
investments outlined in the plan—totaling more than $370 million over ten years—will
help support job creation in Baltimore.
The Ten-Year Financial Plan is the product of more
than a year of careful study assisted by national financial experts, outreach
and meetings with dozens of key stakeholders, and unprecedented collaboration
between city agencies. Over the course of the next year, my administration will
work in partnership with the City Council, city employees, the residents of our
communities, and others to implement the strategies outlined in the plan.
This plan is not a panacea that will solve every
city challenge—no realistic plan is. But it will show with greater confidence
that Baltimore, more than any other city in America, is taking responsibility
and getting its own fiscal house in order. It sends the clear message that
Baltimore can change to grow.
Visit my YouTube page
to view the Change to Grow presentation, and learn more about the plan by reading our summary of the plan.
|
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
WJZ
WJZ
Baltimore Business Journal
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Snapshot
 Mayor Rawlings-Blake adds her signature to a mural at Furley Recreation Center. This week, the center celebrated its new partnership with the Youth Sports Program (YSP). Since becoming mayor in 2010, Rawlings-Blake has promoted community partnerships to improve the quality of recreation for families in the community.
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.
Seeking Nonprofit 2013 YouthWorks Sites
YouthWorks, Baltimore’s summer jobs program, is seeking nonprofit organizations and community groups to serve as work sites in 2013. Eligible sites are not responsible for paying YouthWorks participants, but they must provide close supervision and mentoring and ensure that workers are fully engaged. Youth participants work 25 hours per week (five hours per day, excluding lunch, five days per week) for six weeks (Monday, June 24 through Friday, August 2). To apply to become a YouthWorks 2013 work site, visit youthworks.oedworks.com by Friday, March 15. Site eligibility requirements are outlined on the site. Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake challenges local employers to join in creating valuable employment opportunities for Baltimore’s teens by hiring at least one young person through YouthWorks.
We Are the Dream Nominations
The Baltimore City Youth Commission will present We Are the Dream, honoring young professionals in Baltimore City who embody the dream of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Nominees should be between the ages of 18 and 30, live in the City of Baltimore, and have exceptional character. To nominate a young professional, please email a picture, along with the nominee's name and organization, and reason for nomination to youthcommission@baltimorecity.gov by March 18.
MECU Neighborhood Event Grant Applications
MECU Neighborhood Event Grants award up to $1,000 to neighborhood associations and community-based nonprofit organizations in Baltimore City for the purpose of producing special events for the community and residents they serve. Events might include art workshops, back-to-school rallies, block parties, book drives, food drives, health fairs, and neighborhood clean-ups. The application deadline is March 22. To apply, an organization must be a 501(c)(3) based in Baltimore City. Proposed events must be free and open to the public. For detailed information, or to download the application, visit www.promotionandarts.org (click on the “Grants” tab).
Baltimore TreeKeepers
Join Baltimore TreeKeepers, a citywide tree stewardship program, and get straight answers about urban trees and how to care for them. Through training and education, citizens can become tree advocates and share the opportunity to plant and care for trees in their neighborhood and throughout the City. TreeKeepers classes begin in March and range from purely educational to hands-on training. Anyone interested in Baltimore's trees can join Baltimore TreeKeepers. Come learn how you can help sustain Baltimore's urban forest. To register for TreeKeepers, visit www.baltimoretreetrust.org, call 443-827-4201, or email amanda@baltimoretreetrust.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.
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.
Stormwater Utility Fee Information for Businesses
Tuesday, February 26, 10:45 am – 11:45 am
Enoch Pratt Free Library Waverly Branch, 400 E. 33rd Street
Wednesday, February 27, 8:15 am – 9:15 am
War Memorial, 101 North Gay Street
In November, Baltimore City residents voted to create a stormwater utility to protect the revenues of a stormwater remediation fee. Revenue from this fee will be used to improve water quality, rehabilitate aging storm drain pipes, and decrease the potential for property damage and public danger. DPW invites business owners and managers to one of two meetings to discuss the impact stormwater has on their businesses and about proposed legislation for a stormwater remediation fee. For more information about stormwater’s impact on Baltimore City, visit www.cleanwaterbaltimore.org and click on the “Surface Water” tab.
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.
Cylburn Arboretum Events Open House
Sunday, March 10, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The Vollmer Center at Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue
Stop by The Vollmer Center at Cylburn Arboretum to learn about venues at the arboretum, including the Vollmer Center, the historic Mansion, and the enchanting gardens, as well as options at The Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens in Druid Hill Park. Vendors will be on hand to discuss your needs for catering, florals, hotel accommodations, music, and equipment rentals. Event coordinators will discuss making your event unforgettable at Cylburn Arboretum and The Rawlings Conservatory. For more information, call 410-396-4860 or email laurie.boswell@baltimorecity.gov.
Friends of Fort McHenry Bull & Oyster Roast
Wednesday, March 13, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Frederick Douglass - Isaac Myers Maritime Park, 1417 Thames Street
Join the Friends of Fort McHenry for their 9th Annual Bull & Oyster Roast. Support the fort and its educational programs & activities. Feast on Ryleigh's Oysters, pit beef, chowder, and more. Enjoy refreshments including soft drinks, wine and Heavy Seas Beer. The event also includes a silent auction and raffle. Tickets are $55 in advance or $60 at the door. For more information, visit www.friendsoffortmchenry.org.
Monk’s Moods: A Tribute to Thelonious Monk
Friday, March 15, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Germano’s Trattoria, 300 South High Street
Cold Spring Jazz Quartet blends traditional jazz with contemporary panache. The group’s latest show, does just that with a tribute to the work of Thelonious Monk, one of jazz’s true eccentrics and greatest composers. Tickets are $10 per person. Doors open at 6:00 pm for pre-show dining. Call 410-752-4515 to make a reservation or purchase tickets in advance. For more information about Cold Spring Jazz Quartet, visit www.coldspringjazz.com.
Spring Into Action
Saturday, April 20, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Your Neighborhood
Join Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and "Spring Into Action" with the annual Mayor's Spring Cleanup. Communities wishing to participate should call 311 to register and confirm their designated pick-up point. A limited supply of tools will be available, so register early. Clean streets and clean neighborhoods mean a cleaner Baltimore for everyone! For more information, call 311.
|
