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March 22, 2013
In this issue:
Mayor's Hot Links
Baltimore Snapshot
Special Notices
Bromo Tower A&E District Crosswalk Project
Balancing the Budget
Upcoming Events
The Cloisters Open House Plus
Salvage: A Waste of Materials, A Wealth of Art
The Enchanted Forest Springs Again
Community Easter Egg Hunt
Historic Walking Tour of Druid Hill Park
Maryland Greek Independence Day Parade
Take a Hike!
Spring Eggstravaganza
Art Blooms
Scrabble Fundraiser for Literacy
Appalachian Spring Festival
Taxpayers Night
Urban Visionary Awards
Tour dem Parks, Hon!
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 On Tuesday, we hosted our regularly scheduled cabinet meeting in Cherry Hill. Normally, cabinet meetings take place in City Hall, but for the first time, we brought this meeting to the community so City Council Vice President Edward Reisinger and residents of the 10th City Council district could see the process and share their thoughts could and concerns with cabinet members directly. Cabinet in the Community advances our goal of increasing government transparency and encouraging citizen engagement in the growth of our city.
In 2010, we made it very clear that a transparent government would be a high priority for this administration. Immediately after taking office, we hired a new Inspector General and increased funding for that office; signed legislation to make the Ethics Board more independent and to strengthen the Ethics Code; and we launched OpenBaltimore, which has dramatically increased access to public information.
This commitment to transparency was recognized by the Maryland Public Interest Research Group. Maryland PIRG released a study of government transparency in the 30 largest cities in the United States. Baltimore was ranked as third most transparent. Maryland PIRG is an independent watchdog group, so their recognition of our efforts is noteworthy and a sign of real progress.
At Cabinet in the Community, residents received updates on public safety efforts from the Police and Fire Departments, updates on Vacants to Value from Baltimore Housing, and infrastructure improvement updates from the Department of Public Works. Following the meeting, residents had the opportunity speak with leadership from cabinet agencies and ask face-to-face questions. Cabinet in the Community was a tremendous success for residents of the 10th district, and we hope to bring the same meeting to other districts throughout the year.
Also this week, the Department of Finance presented the city’s Fiscal 2014 Preliminary Budget Plan. The budget closes a projected $30 million deficit with minimal service impacts by relying upon fiscal reforms outlined in the city’s first Ten-Year Financial Plan, Change to Grow. The Ten-Year Financial Plan includes a bold set of major reforms to help grow Baltimore by 10,000 families by eliminating a $750 Million structural budget deficit; increasing neighborhood infrastructure investments; and reducing homeowner property taxes by more than 20% over the next ten years.
The preliminary budget represents a significant step forward in implementing major fiscal reforms, as we proposed in the Ten-Year Financial Plan. Implementing the ten-year plan, starting with this year’s budget, will require tough trade-offs and major changes to past practices, but doing so will help us make smart investments that reward the future and help get Baltimore growing again.
The proposed reforms in the Fiscal 2014 Preliminary Budget Plan include increasing civilian pension contributions, creating a state-mandated storm water utility, vehicle fleet restructuring, employee leave reform, and previously-enacted health benefit changes, which are now generating an annual full-year savings of more than $20 million. The budget also proposes a 2% cost-of-living increase for employees to offset new pension contributions, provides a one-time funding surge of $10 million to support demolition of vacant homes, and increases capital investment in neighborhood infrastructure—including street resurfacing and recreation center upgrades—all while cutting the effective property tax rate for city homeowners to $2.168 per $100 of assessed value, representing a ten cent (4.5%) cut since Fiscal Year 2012.
More information about the Fiscal Year 2013 Preliminary Budget, the budgeting process, and materials about outcome budgeting can be found at the Finance Department’s site.
To learn more about Change to Grow: A Ten-Year Financial Plan for Baltimore, visit www.baltimorecity.gov/changetogrow.
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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
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun
The Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Snapshot
 Staff Photographer Mark Dennis captures one of winter's final brisk and quiet moments at Inner Harbor. As the season moves on, scores of locals and visitors will flock to Inner Harbor for celebrations like Baltimore's Fourth of July Celebration and attractions including Ripley's Believe it or Not! and the Maryland Science Center.
Bromo Tower A&E District Crosswalk Project
The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts is looking for artists to beautify the Bromo Tower Arts & Entertainment District. Artists will help replace old crosswalks in the area to offer something with a more artistic flair—that can also be compliant with traffic and safety regulations! Check out the RFP at www.baltimorearts.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.
The Cloisters Open House Plus
Various dates and times
The Cloisters, 10440 Falls Road, Lutherville
The Cloisters Castle was designed to highlight an extensive collection of medieval artwork and artifacts. This rental facility, owned by the City of Baltimore and managed by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts, hosts open houses throughout the year. Explore the facility and meet caterers, photographers, florists, DJs, and bridal shops for your upcoming event. For more information, visit www.cloisterscastle.com or call 410-821-7448.
Salvage: A Waste of Materials, A Wealth of Art
Fridays & Saturdays, March 23 – May 18, 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Baltimore Public Works Museum, 751 Eastern Avenue
Come explore Salvage: A Waste of Materials, A Wealth of Art and see over 30 works of art created from Baltimore’s curbside recyclable materials by local and regional artists. The event runs through May 18 and is sponsored by Waste Management. Admission to the museum is free. To learn more about the exhibition or Baltimore City's recycling efforts, visit publicworks.baltimorecity.gov or call 410-396-4511.
The Enchanted Forest Springs Again
March 23 – April 7
Sneak Peek: Friday, March 22, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens, Druid Hill Park
"The Enchanted Forest Springs Again" during this year's spring flower show, inspired by the historic Enchanted Forest in Ellicott City and presented in collaboration with Clarks Elioak Farm—current home to many original Enchanted Forest buildings. Thousands of spring blossoms will surround fanciful characters to bring back childhood memories. The flower show is free, with a suggested donation. Join the fun and share your Enchanted Forest memories on the Rawlings Conservatory Facebook page!
Community Easter Egg Hunt
Saturday, March 23, 12:00 noon – 4:00 pm
Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens, Druid Hill Park
Join Recreation and Parks, radio station 92Q, and Blockbustaz Social Club for a hopping good time at the annual Community Easter Egg Hunt. Food, games, music, and photos with the Easter Bunny guarantee an egg-citing time! Make sure to bring your own egg collecting basket. Photos with the Easter Bunny will be available for an additional cost. And this year, Twitter users can tweet with the Easter Bunny on Friday, March 22, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm (follow @RecNParks for details). The hunt is free and open to children ages 12 and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult 21 or older. For more information, visit bcrp.baltimorecity.gov.
Historic Walking Tour of Druid Hill Park
Sunday, March 24, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Druid Hill Park, Gwynns Falls entrance
Join the Friends of Druid Hill Park on a Historic Walking Tour of Druid Hill Park. This major 745 acre urban park of is one of the oldest urban parks in the country. Only Central Park in New York City (1858) and Fairmont Park in Philadelphia (1859) pre-date Druid Hill Park! Tours begin at the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory & Botanic Gardens, located at the Gwynns Falls entrance to Druid Hill Park. This tour includes significant walking. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online. For more information, contact the Friends at friendsofdruidhillpark@gmail.com.
Maryland Greek Independence Day Parade
Sunday, March 24, 2:00 pm
Greektown
Baltimore's Greek-American Community commemorates 129 years of Greek Independence with a festive parade in historic Greektown. The parade will feature performances, ethnic garb, and Orthodox Clergy from the Baltimore-Washington area. The parade proceeds from Haven Street, up Eastern Avenue, and onto Ponca Street. Delicious ethnic food will also be available. For more information call 443-267-4735, email info@greekparade.com or visit www.greekparade.com.
Take a Hike!
Wednesday, March 27, 12:00 noon – 1:00 pm
City Hall, 100 N. Holliday Street
Enjoy the Spring weather with a guided walking tour hosted by a Baltimore National Heritage Area urban ranger. The roughly-one-hour walk will cover highlights from the Heritage Walk and Cultural Walk heritage trails. The tour will begin in front of City Hall. Take a Hike! is part of the It's More Than History! lecture series, presented by Baltimore National Heritage Area. For more information, call 410-878-6411.
Spring Eggstravaganza
Saturday, March 30
Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Family Center Y, 900 E. 33rd Street
Celebrate all things Spring at the Y of Central Maryland! Enjoy breakfast with the Easter Bunny, an egg hunt, games, crafts, and much more! Space is limited, so advanced registration is encouraged. This event is free for Y members, $5 for non-members, and $10 for families. For more information, visit www.ymaryland.org or contact your local Family Center Y.
Art Blooms
April 5 – 7, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles Street
Each spring, Art Blooms enhances the Walters' collection with interpretive floral arrangements by over 30 regional garden clubs. This year, the display will be located in the museum's 19th-Century Galleries. In addition to the spectacular combination of flowers and art, Art Blooms will features an engaging speaker (April 5, 11:00 am – 12:15 pm, $40), the popular The Garden Shed pop-up store, docent-led tours, and more. For more information email wamwc@thewalters.org.
Scrabble Fundraiser for Literacy
Saturday, April 6, 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Roland Park Country School, 5204 Roland Avenue
Every year, more wordsmiths from across Baltimore gather in the spirit of fun and games to support Greater Homewood Community Corporation's (GHCC) Adult Learning Center. This delightful event features live music, delectable food and drink, a silent auction, and (of course) Scrabble! For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the event's site. To learn more about GHCC and its programs, head to www.greaterhomewood.org.
Appalachian Spring Festival
April 8-16
Various Locations
Appalachian Spring is considered one of the most important evocations of American art. Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA) is pleased to celebrate the iconic Martha Graham ballet and Aaron Copland score with a week-long festival that includes the first-ever high school performance of the ballet, a family fun day, a music concert, demonstrations and discussions, and free matinees for Baltimore City public school students. For more information about the Appalachian Spring Festival, visit www.bsfa.org.
Taxpayers Night
Wednesday, April 10, 5:30 pm
War Memorial Building, 101 N. Gay Street
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and the Board of Estimates invite you to participate in Baltimore City's annual Taxpayers Night. Learn about the Fiscal 2014 Preliminary Budget Plan and get answers to your questions or concerns. The Fiscal 2014 Preliminary Budget Plan is now available online.
Urban Visionary Awards
Thursday, April 11, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway
Join the Center for Urban Families for its annual Urban Visionary Awards, celebrating this year’s visionaries who have paved the path for lasting change nationally and in Baltimore. This year's honorees include Marion Wright Edelman, president and founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, Peter Edelman, Diane Bell-McCoy, and Shawn Dove. For more information, call 410-367-5691.
Tour dem Parks, Hon!
Sunday, June 9
Begins and Ends at Carroll Park
This annual bike ride through Baltimore's parks and neighborhoods offers a close-up view of large regional parks, as well as some quietly tucked away gems. Participants can choose from 4 routes different routes (14, 25, 35, or 64 miles). The ride concludes with a jazz BBQ. The ride is capped at 2,000 riders, so sign up early and save with early bird registration (until April 1: $35 for adults, $20 for kids 15 and under). Proceeds support Baltimore's parks, environmental programs, friends of parks, and cycling groups. For more information or to register, visit www.tourdemparks.org.
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