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To grow a city, we have to keep ourselves on a fiscally sustainable path. When I first became mayor, Baltimore City was burdened with a historic budget deficit. While some may have thought it was natural result of the Great Recession—which many major cities were facing—I was unwilling to kick the can down the road. I knew we had to make tough decisions and give the taxpayers the responsible government they deserve.
With urgency and vigor, we crafted Change to Grow, the City’s first Ten-Year Financial Plan. In the years since, we’ve made amazing progress. Under this plan, we wrote down the $750 million structural deficit by more than $300 million—and we’re just getting started!
Recently, we received additional confirmation that we are on the right track. This week, S&P upgraded Baltimore’s bond rating to AA from AA-. This is the first bond rating increase the City has seen in seven years! Our new AA rating signals a growing confidence in Baltimore as a hub for economic growth, and it affirms the economic progress the city has made since I became mayor.
Baltimore is also quickly becoming one of the nation's cornerstones for tourism. This week, I had the honor to join the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), who are holding their inaugural International Crown tournament in our region. This amazing competition features the best female golfers from across the globe.
And just yesterday, we learned that Baltimore was named as the host city for the NAACP’s 2016 Annual Convention! Baltimore’s rich African American heritage and culture is celebrated and laced throughout the fabric of our city, and the NAACP's own proud legacy is still thriving in Baltimore City today. Our NAACP branch is among the first established in the nation, and the NAACP's official headquarters on Mount Hope Drive has called Baltimore home since 1986. So, needless to say, we’re delighted to bring the 2016 NAACP convention home!
Events like these further showcase that Baltimore is truly a world-class destination. Our growing role as a top tourist destination also helps improve the quality of life for residents as well, by offering more fun, accessible, safe, activities while infusing our region with new jobs and other economic stimuli.
We will continue to make investments to expand tourism—such as the new Horseshoe Casino, which will open next month. Horseshoe Baltimore means more business for our local tourism and hospitality economy, more investment in Baltimore’s gateway community, a reduction in property taxes, increased investment in our children’s education, and most importantly, more jobs for our residents.
We will continue making the decisions that are necessary to ensure the financial future of Baltimore, while offering attractions for all ages and interests. By building on a sound foundation, I know we can continue to grow Baltimore.
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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The Baltimore Sun
This week, the beautiful Columbus School building was reopened as the Historic Columbus School Apartments. This transformative project is breathing new life into the building—which had fallen into disrepair and sat vacant for years—and giving it a renewed purpose in fighting blight and creating safe, affordable, healthy housing opportunities for Baltimore residents. Photo by Mark Dennis.
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New Vaccine Requirements
Parents and guardians of students entering kindergarten or 7th grade in Maryland should familiarize themselves with the state's new vaccination requirements. Kindergarten students now require two doses of Varicella vaccine. 7th grade students now require a single dose of Tdap vaccine and a single dose of Meningococcal vaccine. Visit with your child's healthcare provider to find out if your child is up-to-date. If your child does not have a healthcare provider, please call the Immunization Program at the Baltimore City Health Department for more information or an appointment, at 410-396-4454.
Electric Vehicle Survey
Do you drive an electric vehicle, or are you thinking about getting one? The Baltimore City wants to hear from you! Please take a few minutes and answer some questions to help us understand more about EV drivers—especially when it comes to charging and parking.
www.surveymonkey.com/s/BCEVCHARGERdemand
Summer Sounds at the Square
Fridays through August 29, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Belvedere Square, York Road and Belvedere Avenue
Belvedere Square brings back the summer’s hottest concert series! Enjoy a festive atmosphere with live music from the region's hottest bands and special offerings from the merchants of Belvedere Square. Concerts are free and open to the public. In case of rain, visit the website for more information. For a complete schedule of performances and dining options, visit www.belvederesquare.com.
Druid Hill Farmers Market
Wednesdays through September 24, 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Druid Hill Park, near the Rawlings Conservatory
The Druid Hill Farmers Market includes farmers, artists, craftspeople, and prepared food vendors. In addition, available programming includes family yoga, plant workshops, story hour, kid's crafts, nutrition workshops, walking tours, live music, fitness programs, and more. For more information, visit www.druidhillpark.org.
Waterfront Wellness
Saturdays through August—8:00 am: Boot Camp; 9:00 am: Zumba
Sundays through August—8:00 am: Yoga; 9:00 am: Parkour
Inner Harbor, West Shore Park
The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore’s Waterfront Wellness Series returns to West Shore Park this summer with free fitness classes, including Boot Camp, Zumba, Yoga by Charm City Yoga, and Parkour by Urban Evolution. Local professionals in the wellness industry will gather at the waterfront on weekends throughout the summer to provide instruction for participants of all skill levels. Classes will take place most weekends through August. Don’t miss the chance to break a sweat on Baltimore’s waterfront! Participants should bring their own mats and water. Registration is required. For more information, or to register for classes, visit www.waterfrontpartnership.org.
The Can Company Summer Concert Series
Thursday nights through September 11, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm (excluding first Thursdays)
The Can Company, 2400 Boston Street
If it’s a Thursday, there must be live music at The Can Company this summer! In 2014, The Can Company expands its free Thursday night outdoor concert series, with double the number of live performances from the region’s top bands. This year, the popular series runs through September 11 and features new offerings from The Can Company’s restaurants and retailers. Bring your chairs and celebrate the summer with live music, festival food, happy hour specials, and outdoor family activities. You’re sure to have a “Cantastic” time! All concerts are free and open to the public. For more information, visit www.thecancompany.com.
Liberty Reservoir Day
Saturday, July 26, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Liberty Dam, Liberty Dam Road
Join the Departmnt of Public Works to explore and celebrate our region's reservoir system. Enjoy live music, food, and activities for the whole family as you explore the beautiful Liberty Reservoir Watershed. Take the opportunity to check out the Liberty Dam observation deck, which will be open to the public. Activities include emergency vehicles on display, Chesapeake search dogs in action, and environment, wildlife, and history exhibits and talks. For more information, visit publicworks.baltimorecity.gov or call 410-545-6541.
Be Active, Live Well Baltimore: Park Heights Family Reunion
Saturday, July 26, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm (5k begins at 8:00 am)
Pimlico Racetrack, 5201 Park Heights Avenue
The Baltimore City Cross Agency Health Taskforce (CAHT) in partnership with Park Heights community organizations, presents Be Active, Live Well Baltimore: Park Heights Family Reunion. The day’s events will begin with a 5k run/walk. After the race, take part in a variety of healthy activities, including group fitness classes, cooking demonstrations, health education resources, and a farmers' market. For more information, contact Michael Jenkins at 410-396-4398.
Curfew Community Forum
Tuesday, July 29, 7:00 pm
University of Baltimore Law Center, Moot Court, 1401 N. Charles Street (entrance on Mt. Royal Avenue)
Join Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake for a Community Forum on Baltimore's newly amended curfew ordinance and the City's Youth Connections Centers. Find out what the curfew means for Baltimore's youth, and how parents/guardians may be impacted. Learn about the Youth Connections Centers and participate in a Q&A session with Mayor Rawlings-Blake and other City leaders. For more information or to leave a comment, email curfew@baltimorecity.gov.
Back to the Neighborhood: How to Succeed with a Criminal Record
Friday, August 1, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Humanim at the American Brewery, 1701 N. Gay Street
This free, fourth-annual resource event features food, prizes, resources, and more. Get direct expungement assistance, one-on-one legal advice, community information & resources, and employment training & resume building opportunities. For more information, call 410-367-1631 or email Marteka Hill and Mary-Denise Davis at Mhill@opd.state.md.us and Mdavis2@opd.state.md.us.
MD State Boychoir Welcome Home Concert
Monday, August 4, 7:30 pm
MSB Center for the Arts, 3400 Norman Avenue
The Maryland State Boychoir, Concert Choir, will hold its Welcome Home Concert to conclude its regional tour. This concert is free and open to the public. The MSB aims to foster the boychoir tradition by offering talented boys opportunities to sing, while building self-esteem, self discipline, and character. For more information, visit www.marylandstateboychoir.org.
Mayor's Annual Back to School Rally
Saturday, August 9, 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
War Memorial Plaza (in front of City Hall)
Immunizations: War Memorial Building, 101 N. Gay Street
The Mayor's Annual Back to School Rally is a community-wide event for Baltimore City Public School System students and their families. The event offers an exciting day of entertainment, fun, community resources including free backpacks and school supplies, and more to get students and their families ready for a successful school year! Visit mayor.baltimorecity.gov/back2school to learn more, or email Back2SchoolRally@baltimorecity.gov or call 443-984-1650.
Rising Star Golf Tournament
Friday, September 12, 8:00 am (registration at 7:00 am)
Pine Ridge Golf Course, 2101 Dulaney Valley Road, Lutherville
Resident Services, Inc. presents its 3rd annual Rising Star Golf Tournament. This fundraising event featuring four-person captain’s choice teams, benefits The Rising Star Scholarship Fund to provide college assistance for gifted and talented Baltimore City youth. For more information on how you can contribute or participate, contact Karen Kopp or John McDonald at 443-984-1896 or email risingstar@rsinc.org.
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