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Issue #237 • Friday, February 6, 2015

Baltimore City’s history is full of remarkable stories that show the resilience of a people and of a nation. My administration has taken a variety of actions to preserve Baltimore’s past, from sustaining our city’s charming architecture to developing world-class programming that shares our heritage with visitors and residents alike. This week, we took another step to protect some of our most fragile and unique antiquities. Mount Clare in Carroll Park has been the site of some amazing archaeological discoveries—including the excavation of a number of antebellum artifacts representing a vital component of Baltimore's rich African American history. In celebration of Black History Month, we publicly displayed these artifacts for the first time ever—offering insights into the lives, labors, and culture of people enslaved during the 18th and 19th century. In partnership with the Commission for Historical and Architectural Preservation and the Maryland Historical Trust, we will continue to bring this collection up to top archaeological curation standards, with the goal of making it accessible for residents and visitors to explore. I am so proud of our work to preserve our past, and to ensure that we—and our children—will be able to learn from our collective history for years to come. But our work is not done. We also have a responsibility to nurture a more sustainable, healthy environment so that future generations can live, thrive, and grow in our city. This week we announced a new initiative that will make Baltimore a cleaner, greener city. We have already seen the massive success of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor Water Wheel—the world’s first hydro- and solar-powered trash interceptor. The wheel catches trash that has been washed downstream by the Jones Falls before it enters our harbor. This innovative technology has captured over 140 tons of trash to date—and has collected hundreds of headlines and over a million YouTube views. But why stop there? Baltimore City will soon become the first city in the world to use the trash and debris collected by our water wheel to generate electricity for our residents. This unique process will protect our harbor while simultaneously creating renewable energy out of our trash. In fact, each ton of trash collected will generate enough electricity to power about 400 Maryland homes for an hour! That is amazing, innovative, and exactly what a growing city needs. As Baltimoreans, we cherish our treasures—both past and future—and I am delighted to celebrate our city’s diverse, charming, and unique heritage. Together, we will continue our work to preserve that legacy and to foster a cleaner, healthier city for the generations to come.

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

Stories of a Growing City

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Hundreds show up to hear about Amazon jobs

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City to generate electricity from reclaimed trash

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Baltimore mayor to push for tougher police officer misconduct penalties

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Our Baltimore Cityscapes

Baltimore's Inner Harbor Water Wheel is part of the Healthy Harbor initiative.

"This innovative technology has captured over 140 tons of trash to date and has collected hundreds of headlines and over a million YouTube views."
(See Mayor Rawlings-Blake's message above.)

Photo by Mark Dennis.

Community Bulletin

Mayoral Fellowship Program

The Baltimore City Mayoral Fellowship is a ten week full-time placement in a mayoral office or Baltimore City agency. Through the program, mayoral fellows will complete projects that focus on public policy issues or challenges. The Office of the Mayor is now accepting applications for the 2015 program. The deadline to apply is March 2. For more information or to apply, visit mayor.baltimorecity.gov/fellowship.

Sock Drive

Warm, dry socks are hard to come by in the winter if you are homeless. Join the Baltimore City Youth Commission and help make a difference by donating. Bring your donations of new, packaged socks to City Hall, 100 N. Holliday Street, to the attention of Ms. Sabrina Sutton. For more information, contact kelsey.johnson@baltimorecityyouthcommission.org.

The Adventures of Captain Mercaptan

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company's Adventures of Captain Mercaptan, BGE Natural Gas Safety Hero Challenge is a creative and engaging way to educate school-aged children on the importance of natural gas safety. Through March 15, public and private elementary schools across BGE’s service area are invited to work with students in kindergarten through 5th grade to submit hand-drawn comic book covers featuring BGE’s natural gas safety hero, Captain Mercaptan, for the chance to win up to $10,000 to fund a school enrichment program. The downloadable entry kit is available online now at www.BGEGasHero.com. For more information on natural gas safety, visit www.bge.com.

Upcoming Affairs

Concert for Peace

Saturday February 7, 7:00 pm
Maryland War Memorial, 101 N. Gay Street

Join local Baltimore artists to advocate for peace, understanding, and equality at this concert hosted by Tia Price, the Baltimore City Department of General Services, and the War Memorial Arts Initiative. Featured artists include Sojourne, Never Bird, Marc Madoff, The Divine Voices of Praise of Ark Church, BSO Orchkids, and many more. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.

Learn How to Buy a City-Owned Property

Wednesday, February 11, 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Enoch Pratt Free Library Central Branch, 400 Cathedral Street

Join Baltimore Housing for the latest entry in the Baltimore Builds Workshop Series. Baltimore City offers a variety of properties for buyers interested in building or rehabbing for homeownership or investment. this workshop will offer a brief overview on the requirements for purchasing a vacant property from the City of Baltimore. For more information, or to register, visit www.vacantstovalue.org/events.aspx or call 410-396-4111. Seating is limited.

It’s More Than History! Exploring the Black Experience in Fell’s Point, 1730-1890

Friday, February 13, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
City Hall, Hyman Aaron Pressman Board Room (Board of Estimates), 100 N. Holliday Street

The Mayor’s Office and Baltimore National Heritage Area present It’s More than History!—a brown bag lecture series. Hear fascinating stories and more about Baltimore's history and personalities. Join Dr. Donna Hollie to discuss how the African American community (both enslaved and free) worked to improve the economic, religious, educational, and political climate in one of Baltimore City’s oldest neighborhoods.

Sprout Film Festival

Saturday, February 14, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm 
Towson University, West Village Commons, 424 Emerson Drive

Join the 3rd annual Sprout Film Festival, and screen entertaining and memorable films created by, and featuring people with, developmental disabilities. Tickets are $5 and can be purchased at door. For more information, or to purchase advance tickets, call the box office at 410-704-2244 or contact Lauren Seabolt at 410-296-2272 ext. 5210. More information can also be found at the event’s Facebook page.

Bundle Up, Baby!

Saturday, February 14, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Winans Meadow, Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, 4500 Franklintown Road

Bring your sweetheart out for a snowy day of cross country skiing, sledding, fire pits, and hot chocolate in the park! No snow? No worries! Enjoy a hike on the side trails. Advance RSVP is recommended, and a $5 donation is suggested. For more information, contact Molly Gallant at 443-984-4058 or molly.gallant@baltimorecity.gov.

Valentine's Day Sweetheart Hike

Saturday, February, 14, 6:30 pm – 11:00 pm
Rawlings Conservatory, 3100 Swann Drive

Bundle up and spend the evening under the stars with your sweetheart! Use your senses to enjoy the wonders of a crisp, cool, invigorating Druid Hill Park winter night. After the hike gather in conservatory's outside garden for steamy hot chocolate, a warm fire, a glass of wine, and delicious dessert. This walk is a roughly 5.5 mile loop on paved surfaces, with several steep hills. Tickets are $15 per person. Registration is limited. For more information, visit www.druidhillpark.org/sweetheart-hike.html.

TreeBaltimore Winter Gathering

Tuesday, February 17, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
The Vollmer Center at Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue

Come celebrate Baltimore's green successes with TreeBaltimore. Socialize, network, and celebrate with members of the community who are invested in our city's tree canopy. Dinner and drinks will be served. For more information, visit www.treebaltimore.org.

Black History Month Celebration at the National Aquarium

Friday, February 20, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
National Aquarium, 501 E. Pratt Street

Celebrate Black History Month with Ebb & Flow: The Story of the Chesapeake Bay, a special evening focused on Black History throughout the region. Enjoy music, dance, and theatrical performances; participate in interactive demonstrations; and much more. Be transported back to Baltimore’s legendary jazz clubs, with live jazz and a cash bar for those 21 and over. This event is presented as part of National Aquarium's Fridays after Five program, which offers discounted admission of $12. For more information, visit www.aqua.org/afterdark.

Design By Me Sewing Course

Saturdays, February 21 – April 11
School 33 Art Center, 1427 Light Street

Fashion designer and costume creator Curreda Sheppard shares the skills of sewing at School 33 Art Center. This eight-week program leads young designers and creative minds of various experience levels in completing a wearable project to display. Registration is open for students ages 9 – 17. A $40 registration fee is required, plus the cost of materials ($215). To register or for more information, call 443-263-4350 or email qpalmer@promotionandarts.org. To learn more about School 33 Art Center, visit www.school33.org or call 443-263-4350.

Fest-of-All

Saturday, February 28, 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Highway

Shake off the winter blues with the 8th annual Fest-of-All gala—a showcase of the best of Federal Hill, featuring fare from the area’s restaurants and taverns, live music and dancing, a silent auction, and a much-anticipated runway fashion show. Tickets are $75 in advance, $90 at the door, and include all the fine food & drink presented for the occasion. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.historicfederalhill.org.

Ongoing Adventures

Eat Healthy, Shop Smart

Tuesdays through March 10, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
All Baltimore City Community Action Centers

The Baltimore City Community Action Partnership presents this resource-filled food and nutrition program. Participants will receive budgeting help, shopping and nutrition tips, cooking demonstrations, and even free food. For more information or to register, visit humanservices.baltimorecity.gov, call 410-545-6958, or visit your local Community Action Center.

Community Action Centers

• Northern: 5225 York Road
• Northwestern: 3939 Reisterstown Road
• Southern: 606 Cherry Hill Road
• Southeastern: 3411 Bank Road
• Eastern: 1400 E. Federal Street

Your Money, Your Goals

Thursdays through April 2, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
All Baltimore City Community Action Centers

Join the Baltimore City Community Action Partnership to learn about financial literacy and planning. These workshops will cover topics ranging from household budgeting and debt relief to banking, credit, and savings. For more information or to register, visit humanservices.baltimorecity.gov, call 410-545-6958, or visit your local Community Action Center.

Community Action Centers

• Northern: 5225 York Road
• Northwestern: 3939 Reisterstown Road
• Southern: 606 Cherry Hill Road
• Southeastern: 3411 Bank Road
• Eastern: 1400 E. Federal Street