SUMMERTIME... AND THE SHOPPING IS EASY!
Don't miss the bargains at the 3rd Annual Federal Hill Summertime Sidewalk Sale..
Saturday, July 11th, 11 am to 6 pm, on S. Charles, Light, and Cross Streets around Cross Street Market.
Great deals and refreshments at boutiques and shops in Baltimore's "Best Shopping Neighborhood."
Information: Federal Hill Main Street, www.historicfederalhill.org or 410-727-4500
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
9:00 - 12:30 p.m.
Meet at Cross Country Elementary School
Dear City Residents and Friends of the Environment,
We have fallen short of our goals of reaching enough volunteers to accomplish two missions:
1. Clean the entire Western Run Stream from Gulley Road to the Mt. Washington Village & behind Whole Foods
2. Label 50 storm drains with 1 of the messages above to reduce pollutants that are dumped in our storm drains
What will it take to get volunteers out on Sunday, June 14th @ 9A.M.? Here’s an idea, Baltimore is a great city full of people trying to do the right thing. Unfortunately, after 25 years as a community organizer I’ve noticed that Baltimore is also a city of residents that love to look out for their own streets and neighborhoods. Here’s the deal, every time someone dumps pollutants in a storm drain in Cross Country, Mt. Washington, Cheswolde, Glen, and Fallstaff, (my communities) those pollutants end up in our Jones Falls and our Baltimore Harbor. If you will volunteer for 2-3 hours on Sunday to label storm drains here I will label storm drains on your street/block sometime, before the end of the year. That’s a better deal then you’ll get from Chrysler or GM.
Please email or call me to volunteer this Sunday and help keep all those nasty chemicals from being pored into your storm drains on your street.
Barry Kaminetz, Community Development Coordinator
CHAI: Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc.
3809 Clarks Lane, Suite 1
Baltimore, MD 21215
phone 410-318-8311 ext.15
For more information about the new bus service, visit |
Mayor Dixon Announces Winner of “Your New Downtown Ride” Contest Baltimore, MD (June 10, 2009) – Mayor Sheila Dixon was joined by Councilman Edward Reisinger, Councilwoman Agnes Welsh, Councilman James Kraft, city employees, and business leaders to announce the winner of the “Your New Downtown Ride” contest. The name of the new free bus service will be the “Charm City Circulator.” From January 6, 2009 until February 6, 2009, over 2,700 entries were submitted by the public. Nine runner-up contestants were recognized and received prizes, and the winner’s creative name will be displayed on all new Shuttle buses. Plans call for 18 clean-energy buses operating on three routes in-and-around Downtown Baltimore, and an additional 3 buses to be used as spares. The Department of Transportation will designate bus lanes on Pratt and Lombard Streets and create other transit priority mechanisms in the bus service areas to facilitate passage and to maintain 10 minute headway between buses. “We are very excited about the level of response we have received from the public,” said Mayor Dixon. “It is our hope that residents, commuters, and visitors use the new service. It is a fast, convenient, cleaner, and greener way to move about Baltimore’s busy Downtown neighborhoods.” The winning name was submitted by Ms. Michelle C. Brand. For submitting the winning name, she will receive a citation from the Mayor and $1000 in prizes. Runners-up were given prizes valued at $200. The “Charm City Circulator” is an initiative led by the Department of Transportation in partnership with the Parking Authority of Baltimore City, Maryland Transit Administration, Downtown Partnership, Waterfront Partnership, and other community and business partners. The new buses will serve neighborhoods adjacent to the Inner Harbor. The “Charm City Circulator” will connect existing transit hubs such as Pennsylvania Station with the light rail, MARC, subway, and water taxi. Similar systems in cities across the country have helped to mitigate congestion growth and improve air quality. “The Circulator will provide an invaluable new transit option for people traveling within Downtown Baltimore, and will better connect the business and hotel district with existing mass transit,” said Kirby Fowler, president of Downtown Partnership of Baltimore. “It makes sense that if you reduce the need to have a car in Downtown, then you will ultimately reduce the number of cars on the road.”
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6/1209
“Pride Protecting People” |
From the Baltimore City Fire Service: Are you passionate about community service To obtain information |
5/6/09
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Take the kids out to the ballgame! Come celebrate summer's approach with a Baltimore tradition and enjoy the game with fellow downtown families in a section reserved especially for us. 1:35 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2009 Details and tickets available at www.dfam.org/orioles |
Community Greening Stewardship Program UpdatesFebruary 2009
Visit the Parks & People website for a complete list of all Parks & People Foundation events.
Subject areas include:
Grant Awards
Recreation and Parks Board Meeting
Baltimore Parks Meeting
Tree People Meeting
Watershed 263 Meeting
Federal Hill FEST OF ALL to be held at the Museum of Industry on March 14th
2nd annual Black History Month Celebration
PROPERTY TAXES PROPOSAL
Dr. Stephen Walters – Professor of Economics, LoyolaCollege in
Maryland will explain a proposal by he and Dr. Steven Hanke –
Professor of Applied Economics, Johns Hopkins University, that would
drastically cut property taxes by 50% over a 3-year period, as
presented to the Mayor and City Hall.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2009 MEETING
6:30 P.M. SOCIAL 7:00 P.M. MEETING
HARBORVIEW TOWER – JUST OFF THE LOBBY
for details please contact Keith Mitzner <keith.mitzner@verizon.net>
Baltimore City is looking for volunteers to assist with the formation of a City Animal Response Team. Volunteers are needed to take part in the free training on how to care for animals during a disaster and to join the team! The first training and orientation is this Saturday from 11am to 1pm at the University of Maryland School of Law.
1/22 09
Mayor Sheila Dixon Hosts "Mayor's Night In" Feb 25
1/14/09
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2009
CONTACT:
Ian Brennan
(410) 530-0459
Mayor Dixon Announces Details of President-Elect Obama’s Visit to Baltimore
Afternoon event will culminate three-city tour of East-Coast cities.
Baltimore, MD (January 14, 2009) – Mayor Dixon announced the time and location of President-Elect Barack Obama’s visit to Baltimore this weekend. The event will take place on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at 4:15 p.m., on War Memorial Plaza.
“I am elated that President-Elect Obama has decided to make Baltimore a part of his Inaugural celebrations,” said Mayor Dixon. “The people of Baltimore should be proud that we can share in this historic event.”
Since the President-Elect announced plans to visit Baltimore, Mayor Dixon’s staff has worked closely with the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) to ensure Baltimore is prepared for the visit. City agencies have worked closely with the Secret Service, the Department of Homeland Security, the PIC and other federal and state agencies.
“We are working at all levels of city government to ensure the visit by the President-elect is a memorable day for the City of Baltimore,” said Mayor Dixon.
War Memorial Plaza, selected by the PIC as the event site, was built in 1927 as a memorial to honor the Marylanders who died in World War I. The Plaza is between City Hall and the War Memorial Building, which are two of the most distinctive buildings in Baltimore.
Space will be limited at the War Memorial Plaza. Gates open at 1:00 pm at the public entry point at Baltimore Street and Guilford Avenue. Access to the Plaza and viewing area will be limited to a few checkpoints. People wishing to enter the Plaza will walk through a metal detector, and allow their bags to be searched.
As a security precaution, the following items will be prohibited from War Memorial Plaza: firearms, ammunition, explosives, weapons of any kind, aerosols, supports for signs and placards, packages, coolers, thermal or glass containers, backpacks, bags exceeding size restrictions (8"x6"x4"), laser pointers, animals other than helper/guide dogs, structures, bicycles and any other items determined to be a potential safety hazard. With respect to signs and placards, items must be made of cardboard, poster board or cloth and have dimensions no greater than three (3) feet in width, 20 feet in length and one-quarter (1/4) inch in thickness. Surrendered items will not be returned nor available for pick-up.
At the event, a canned food drive will take place as part of President-elect Obama and Vice President-elect Biden’s national service initiative. All event attendees are being asked to bring a can of food with them, which will be delivered to a local food bank.
Attendees are encouraged to use public transportation to the downtown area such as the Metro Subway, Light Rail or MTA Buses. Transit schedules and additional information are available by calling the MTA at (410) 539-5000.
People with disabilities can enter the Plaza at a special gate located at the corner of Hillen Road and the Fallsway. All mobility drop-offs should be at the corner of Hillen Road and High.
Those planning on driving to the event are asked to leave early to allow for extra travel time. To avoid downtown traffic, you are also encouraged to park at the M&T Bank Stadium or utilize parking immediately outside of the downtown vicinity.
Motorists are encouraged to the pay strict attention to the event parking restrictions. Violators will be relocated to the Edison Impound Lot (entrance at Fallsway and High Street). If your car has been towed, call 311.
At 8:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 15, the 100 block of North Gay Street will be closed to traffic.
Beginning at 4:00 a.m. on the day of the President-Elect’s visit, Interstate-83 will be closed from President Street to North Avenue in both the north and south directions. This closure will continue until 7:00 p.m. Orleans Street, from Gay Street to St. Paul Street, will be closed from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.
Temperatures on the afternoon of January 17 are expected to be well below freezing. Individuals planning on attending the event are strongly advised to wear clothing appropriate for spending hours in cold weather. In severely cold weather, children, seniors and those with disabilities are more vulnerable to hypothermia. They should be monitored closely. People are encouraged to bring water as well as lunch, snacks and medications.
The Baltimore City Fire Department will work in cooperation with the Baltimore City Health Department to provide medical assistance to attendees. There will be Medical Aid stations located at Holiday, Fayette and Lexington Streets. The stations will be manned by Fire Department and Health Department staff.
On Inauguration Day, January 20, Baltimore City will host an Inauguration-watching event at the Baltimore Convention Center. The event, which is open to the public, will have family-friendly activities and entertainment for all ages. Because so many people in Baltimore are unable to make the trip to Washington, D.C. for the Inauguration itself, Mayor Dixon thought it was important for the city to host its own event.
In anticipation of the visit by the President-Elect and the thousands of out-of-town visitors staying in hotels and houses throughout the city, Mayor Dixon is urging citizens to help beautify Baltimore. The Mayor asks people to call 311 to report problems that require attention to clean, green or repair.
“This is truly a profound moment in our nation’s history quite appropriate for the birthplace of our national anthem. Let’s scrub those front steps, sweep sidewalks and gutters, and make Baltimore shine for our new President and the nation,” added Mayor Dixon. “Let’s not hide our pride – help us welcome our new President to a clean and beautiful Baltimore.”
For more information about events surrounding the Inauguration of Barack Obama, visit the PIC home page at www.pic2009.org/content/home.
1/14/09
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2008
CONTACT:
Ian Brennan
(410) 530-0459
Mayor Dixon Announces Contest to Name "Your New Downtown Ride"
Baltimoreans Encouraged to Name New Service that is "Fast, Friendly & Free"
Baltimore, MD (January 6, 2009) – Mayor Sheila Dixon announced a month-long contest for the public to name the new free Downtown shuttle bus system that will begin in the summer of 2009. The contest will run from January 6 to February 6, 2009 and will be accompanied by a promotional campaign that will explain the many advantages of the new service and encourage the very people who may use it to help determine what it will be called.
"I am asking the public to help us come up with a name for our new, free transportation service because it really belongs to the public," Mayor Dixon said. "It will provide a huge benefit or everyone who wants a better way to get around the heart of our city."
Until a name is chosen, Mayor Dixon and City officials are referring to the system as "Your New Downtown Ride." A sample of the state-of-the-art vehicles that will be used for the system will be on display throughout the Downtown Baltimore area on January 6 and 7, 2009. Details about the vehicles and the service will be displayed at, www.YourNameYourRide.com.
The naming contest will run for one month, between January 6 and February 6, 2009. Entrants may submit names to the contest via the website, www.YourNameYourRide.com, or by filling out an entry form and depositing it in one of the many entry boxes placed throughout Downtown Baltimore. Nine finalists will be selected to appear at a naming ceremony to be scheduled later in the spring. One winner will be selected, but each finalist will receive valuable prizes.
When it begins operating in the summer of 2009, Your New Downtown Ride will serve the needs of residents, employees, and visitors by providing a fast, convenient, and energy-efficient way to move about Baltimore's busy Downtown area where, according to Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, there are approximately 160,000 people on an average day.
The fleet of zero-emission vehicles will not look like typical transit buses, and they will not function like busses, either. The vehicles will feature large windows and user-friendly technology that will send text alerts to riders when the shuttle is about to arrive at their chosen stop.
Your New Downtown Ride will connect with existing transit hubs such as Pennsylvania Station, and light rail, MARC, subway, and water taxi stops. Similar systems are in use in other cities around the country where they have contributed to a net decrease in congestion and improvements in air quality.
Plans call for 21, clean-energy vehicles operating on three routes in-and-around Downtown Baltimore. The Department of Transportation will create transit priority mechanisms in the system's service area to maintain a 10 minute wait between Your New Downtown Ride. If successful, routes would be expanded, or additional routes would be added, to better connect the Your New Ride to additional residential neighborhoods.
"People are looking for a fast, friendly, and convenient way to get around Downtown Baltimore," said Kirby Fowler, president of Downtown Partnership of Baltimore. "We hope everyone will embrace this new system, and having the public name it is just one way to get everyone excited for its launch this summer."
"Baltimore needs an efficient and convenient transportation system to move tourists around this city," says Tom Noonan, president & CEO of the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association. "This new shuttle service is key to taking the destination to the next level and making Baltimore more competitive."
10 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT "YOUR NEW RIDE"
1. FAST, FRIENDLY & FREE. Free is good. And, free is faster because you don't have to waste time looking for change or waiting in line for other riders to pay a fare.
2. CONVENIENT. Rides come every 10 minutes. Text alerts will let you know when Your Next Downtown Ride will arrive. All you have to do is step on and go.
3. COOL. Baltimore's never seen a ride like this one. It's sleek, comfortable, and green. With zero emissions it will even help keep the planet cool.
4. CONNECTED. Your New Downtown Ride will take you to all there is to do in the heart of the city, like business meetings or a ballgame. Or use it to connect between other forms of transit like Light Rail, MARC, the subway, even the water taxi.
5. CUSTOMERS ARE #1. Professional drivers are specially trained to make Your New Downtown Ride friendly, calm, and comfortable.
6. CHILD FRIENDLY. Your New Downtown Ride makes it easy and inexpensive to take the whole family to one of Downtown's museums, parks, and attractions.
7. CREATIVE USE OF TIME. Sit back and relax. Read the paper. Or get some extra work done. Anything's possible when you don't have to sit behind the wheel.
8. CONVENTION COVERAGE. Visitors can get from their hotel to the Convention Center, then take it to museums, shopping, and the area's best restaurants.
9. COST EFFECTIVE. Even if you drive to a garage you can take Your New Downtown Ride between appointments, eliminating the need to pay to park more than once.
10. CAR SAVER. Downtown residents will no longer have to suffer the expense and hassle of owning (and parking) a car. Your New Downtown Ride will get you where you need to go, whether it's the grocery store, the office, or back from a night out with friends.
12/31/08
TIPSY? TAXI! TO PROVIDE FREE CAB RIDES THIS NEW YEAR’S EVE
Maryland Department of Transportation, AAA Mid-Atlantic, and Yellow Cab Partner to Provide Safe, Free Cab Rides in Baltimore as Commitment to Reduced Impaired Driving Crashes Continues
TOWSON, MD (December 30, 2008) – AAA Mid-Atlantic, the Maryland Department of Transportation’s State Highway Administration and Yellow Cab announced the Second Annual Tipsy?Taxi! Campaign to run this New Year’s Eve. The joint project, which was launched on the 4th of July in 2006, is designed to combat drunk driving, particularly on holidays that have become synonymous with excessive alcohol-consumption. Last year, Tipsy?Taxi! provided more than 110 free cab rides to would-be impaired drivers.
The program will take place from Wednesday, December 31st from 10:00 p.m. through Thursday, January 1st at 4:00 a.m. The program provides a free taxi ride to those at least 21 years old, who have been drinking at a restaurant or bar in Baltimore City.
Those wishing to utilize the service must call 1-877-963-TAXI and Yellow Cab will provide a safe and free ride (up to $50.00) home within the Baltimore metropolitan area. Balances exceeding $50.00 must be paid for by the occupant. “We are again proud to be a part of this important safety program,” stated Erik Owings, Taxi General Manager of Yellow Cab. “New Year’s Eve is typically one of our busiest nights, but this is an important service that needs to be provided to keep our community and roads safe.”
“Keep Maryland roadways safe and bring in the New Year by choosing safety for life - it starts by buckling up and always driving sober," said Maryland State Highway Administrator Neil J. Pedersen and Governor's Highway Safety Representative. "Designate a sober driver, take mass transit or take advantage of a free cab ride courtesy of Tipsy?Taxi! - it's a simple choice that will avert tragedy and keep the holidays a time of celebration."
“Unfortunately, statistics have shown us that the holidays tend to be among the most deadly on our highways and the Christmas and New Year’s Holidays are no exception,” states Ragina C. Averella, Public and Government Affairs Manager for AAA Mid-Atlantic.
The daily death toll from drunk driving crashes during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday periods is significantly more than for the rest of the year. In December 2007, 992 people were killed in crashes that involved a drunk driver or motorcycle rider (operator) with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). For the entire year, there were nearly 13,000 fatalities nationwide, where a driver or motorcycle operator had a .08 or higher Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC).
Tipsy?Taxi! has provided nearly 1,000 free cab rides since the program’s inception. Tipsy?Taxi! will also be available on St. Patrick’s Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day in 2009.
Downtown Partnership of Baltimore’s Public Safety Guides and the Baltimore Police Department’s Inner Harbor Unit will once again help disseminate information on the program.
“AAA Mid-Atlantic continues its commitment to reducing impaired driving
fatalities on Maryland roads through the Tipsy?Taxi! Program. We are honored to be a part of this campaign, as saving lives on our roads is a priority, which requires all of our cooperation. Although the holidays are a time of celebration, there is no amount of good cheer that will save you from the consequences and tragedies caused by drunk driving,” adds Averella.
Those enjoying New Year’s Eve festivities in a Baltimore bar or restaurant are encouraged to call 1-877-963-TAXI for a safe and free cab ride home.
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The Department of Public Works today issued a reminder to citizens that Department of Public Works’ offices will be closedon Thursday, January 1, 2009, in observance of New Year’s Day. There will be no collection of trash, bulk or recyclablesin Baltimore City on this day. The Quarantine Road Landfill, the Northwest Transfer Station and the Eastern, Western and Northwestern Sanitation Yards will be CLOSED.
TRASH
Citizens, whose regular trash collection day is Thursday, are asked to place their trash out on their next regularly scheduled collection day, Monday, January 5.
RECYCLING
Thursday, January 1 is not a scheduled recycling collection day for city residents.
MONTHLY SCHEDULED BULK COLLECTIONS
There will be no monthly bulk trash collections on January 1, 2009. To schedule bulk pickups, citizens should call 311.
REMINDER: PARKING
Parking meters will not be in effecton New Year’s Day, January 1, 2009. All other posted regulations must be observed.
Free Event --Mayor Sheila Dixon’s 2008 Holiday Open House & Santa’s “Sock Drop”
Sunday, December 21, 2008 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Baltimore’s City Hall,
100 N. Holliday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
- Have your picture taken with the Mayor
- Holiday treats from around the world
- Stroll through our Winter Wonderland featuring holiday performances by local artists and an Arts & Crafts tent for the kids
- Enjoy warming winter refreshments
This entire event is free and open to the general public of ALL ages!
For more information, please contact Amira Garner at 410-396-5330 or openhouse@baltimorecity.gov
To participate in “Santa’s Sock Drop” please bring new socks, hats, or scarves and non-perishable food items to the Open House. These items will be donated to: Moveable Feast & the City’s 210 Guilford Avenue Homeless Shelter
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Effective January 2009, Baltimore City residents will be able to recycle MORE items. So fill up a recycle bin or two or MORE! Remember, if we all do our part, one person at a time and one home at a time; together as a City we can make a difference. Do your best to recycle and not trash the below material. Working together, we can minimize the damaging affects to our natural environment and the amount of energy needed to produce new products (everyday household items) from raw natural materials versus producing new products from recycled material.
Acceptable Recycling Material:
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Clean paper - all colors and types. - This includes catalogs, magazines, junk mail, newspapers and non-metallic wrapping paper
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Cardboard and paperboard boxes (including cereal boxes without liners and frozen food packaging)
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Books (including paperbacks, textbooks and hardbacks)
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Aerosol Cans (empty)
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Glass containers such as jars and bottles
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Metal food and beverage containers
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Narrow-neck plastic containers (other than for motor oil) which carry codes 1 through 7 on the bottom.
NEW (to be included in your curbside single stream recycling bin—January 2009):
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Wide-mouth plastic containers used for margarine, yogurt, cottage cheese, mayonnaise and sour cream. Empty prescription bottles (lids and caps do not need to be removed) and plastic drinking cups
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Aluminum foil and aluminum pie pans
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Clean milk and juice cartons
NEW (to be taken to the citizen drop-off center and placed in container marked "rigid plastics"—January 2009)
Rigid plastics which include milk/soda crates, buckets, laundry baskets, lawn furniture, totes, plastic drums, coolers, flower pots, water bottles, pallets, pet carriers, shelving, closet organizers, empty garbage/recycling bins.
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Traffic Advisory
Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Baltimore City Department of Transportation today announced traffic and parking modifications in effect for the Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers game on Sunday, December 14, 2008 at 4:15 p.m. at M&T Bank Stadium. Please be advised that all parking restrictions and residential permit parking regulations in the vicinity of the stadium will be strictly enforced. Ticket holders who do not have a parking permit for any of the stadium lots are strongly encouraged to use the metro, light rail or carpool. Fans choosing to drive to the game should park at commercial lots and avoid area neighborhoods. Parking Control Agents will enforce all posted parking restrictions for the safety of everyone, and vehicles parked in violation will be ticketed and towed. Impound lots will remain open 2 hours after the conclusion of the game. Citizens with questions concerning the location of their vehicle should contact a police officer or call (410) 396-3050. Patrons using lots G and H are urged to leave early, allow for extra travel time and pay strict attention to posted detours, traffic signs and Variable Message Signs (VMS). Traffic exiting lots G & F will be diverted north or south on Leadenhall Street to east on West Hamburg or Ostend Streets to gain access to Hanover Street due to the ongoing construction in the area.
In addition, Special Traffic Enforcement Officers (STEO’s) will assist Baltimore City Police with the movement of traffic in the downtown area.