Baltimore City Website
The Rawlings-Blake Review
In This Issue
Early Voting
iHeART Creative Arts Contest
It's All About the Children
League of Women Voters Candidate Forums
The Temporary Nature of Ideas
Pennsylvania Avenue Homecoming Festival
Cylburn Nature Story Hour
Ukrainian Festival
Run to Remember
Buying into Baltimore East
Rally for Recovery
11th Annual Bug Fest
A Family A Fair
Activate Your Inner Citizen: University
Dear Friends:
One year from now, on Labor Day weekend 2011, thousands of racing enthusiasts will descend on our great city for the Baltimore Grand Prix. Hotels and restaurants will be full, and the streets of Baltimore will host some of the most exciting auto racing in the world. I am excited to have the opportunity to welcome drivers and race fans to Baltimore.
 
This week, we announced that the American Le Mans Series will join the IZOD IndyCar Series in the Festival of Speed on Labor Day Weekend 2011. The American Le Mans Series, based in Braselton, GA, includes multiple classes of cars-Prototype and Grand Touring-which race on the track at the same time to create compelling race action and constant passing. The series has more automobile marquees involved than any other major race series in the world, as manufacturers develop relevant technologies on track, which transfer directly to the customer showroom.
 
The Baltimore Grand Prix will be a combination of racing and festivities, which will begin Friday morning and culminate on Sunday with the IZOD IndyCar Series race. The event is billed as a "three day festival of speed," and organizers are now in the process of planning a variety of non-racing activities such as a family fun zone, go-karting, beer gardens, extreme sports demonstrations, and professional beach volleyball. Live music will be available all weekend, from local artists performing throughout the day to nationally-known acts in the evenings. The event offers something for all Marylanders, and organizers intend for the event to be very family-friendly.
 
The Baltimore Grand Prix is expected to attract more than 100,000 people to the area and have an estimated economic impact of $70 million, based on visitor spending on hotel nights, meals, tickets, and other purchases. Over five years, we expect that $250 million will be injected into the local economy, and 2,000 full-time equivalent jobs will be created.
 
By adding the American Le Mans Series, one of world's leading sports car series, we are greatly enhancing our offering to fans during the Baltimore Grand Prix weekend. The Le Mans Series will attract more racing fans to Baltimore and will make the Grand Prix an even greater success for the city.
Sincerely,

Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Mayor, City of Baltimore
Special Notices
Early Voting
This election, the first choice you'll make is which day to vote.  Instead of having only one day to vote, you can now choose any one of seven days!  Early Voting Centers will be open 10:00 am-8:00 pm, Friday, September 3-Thursday, September 9 (closed Sunday, September 5).  Voting is convenient and accessible.  To find Early Voting Centers near you, or for more information, visit www.mdearlyvote.com.
iHeART Creative Arts Contest
Are you Creative?  Artistic?  Use your talent to tell Baltimore how important safe sleep is for infants.  Winning entries will be used as part of the B'More for Healthy Babies Sleep Safe campaign and should promote the message "Sleep Safe:  Alone. Back. Crib. No Exceptions."  Deadline for submissions is Friday, September 17 at 5:00 pm.  Winners will be announced at an Infant Mortality Rally on Saturday, September 25.  For guidelines and more information, visit www.healthybabiesbaltimore.com/news.
Upcoming Events
It's All About the Children
UPDATE:  Date and time to be announced
Carroll Park, Washington Boulevard & Monroe St.
This no cost event is for children in foster care and their families.  The 5th annual "It's All About the Children" day serves as a fun-filled day for children in foster care and an opportunity to recognize foster care and kinder-care parents.
 
To volunteer, or for more information, call 410-362-3758 or visit www.iflp.org.
League of Women Voters Candidate Forums
The League of Women Voters of Baltimore City will be holding forums for candidates for State Senate and House of Delegates in the 2010 Primary Election.  Forums will be held in each of Baltimore's six Legislative Districts.  Both Democratic and Republican party candidates will attend and the audience will have the opportunity to ask questions.
 
DISTRICT 41
Thursday, September 2, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Forest Park Senior Center, 4801 Liberty Heights Avenue
DISTRICT 43
Thursday, September 2, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Good Samaritan Hospital, Parker Rooms 3 & 4, 3601 Loch Raven Boulevard
DISTRICT 44
Thursday, September 2, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
Union Baptist Church, 1219 Druid Hill Avenue
DISTRICT 40
Tuesday, September 7, 7:00 pm-9:00 pm
St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 1900 St Paul Street
DISTRICT 46
Thursday, September 9, 6:30-8:30 pm
Virginia S. Baker Patterson Park Rec. Center, 2601 East Baltimore Street
The Temporary Nature of Ideas
September 3-October 30, Wednesday-Saturday, 12:00pm-6:00 pm
School 33 Art Center, Main Gallery, 1427 Light Street
Artist Melissa Webb presents The Temporary Nature of Ideas, a series of large-scale "living" installations.  Participants are invited to delve into the process of making with her.  An opening reception will be held September 3, 6:00 pm-9:00 pm.
 
For more information, visit www.school33.org.
Pennsylvania Avenue Homecoming Festival
Friday-Sunday, September 3-5
Pennsylvania Avenue
Join elected officials, community leaders, and members of the neighborhood for a weekend of activities celebrating Baltimore's famous Pennsylvania Avenue.  On Friday, Baltimore National Heritage Area will unveil permanent displays, completing the nationally-designated Pennsylvania Avenue Heritage Trail.
 
For more information on the festival, visit www.royaltchc.com.  For information on the Pennsylvania Avenue Heritage Trail, visit www.pennsylvaniaavenuebaltimore.com.
Cylburn Nature Story Hour
Thursday, September 9, 11:00 am
Cylburn Mansion, 4915 Greenspring Avenue
Enjoy an hour filled with books and activities related to the natural world, led by a Cylburn staff member.  A local reptile hobbyist will show a bull python and red-toe tortoise.  Recommended for ages 2-5.  This event is FREE.
 
For more information, call 410-367-2217.
Ukrainian Festival
Saturday & Sunday, September 11-12, 12:00 pm-9:00 pm
Patterson Park, Linwood Avenue and Eastern Avenue
Enjoy the sights and sounds of Ukraine with traditional dancers, live music, crafts, customary foods and more at the 34th annual Ukrainian Festival.  Admission to the festival is free.
 
For more information, call 410-687-3465 or visit www.ukrainianfestival.net.
Run to Remember
Saturday, September 11, 8:46 am
Baltimore Police Headquarters, 601 E. Fayette St.
This annual 5k/1m race is sponsored by Charm City Run.  The Run to Remember supports the Baltimore Police Foundation and the Baltimore City Fire Foundation to assist families that have lost a loved one in the line of duty.  Entry fees are $25 until September 1 and $30 thereafter.
 
For more information, visit www.charmcityrun.com.
Buying into Baltimore East
Saturday, September 11, 9:00 am-2:00 pm
Mervo High School, 3500 Hillen Road
Attend workshops, tour neighborhoods, view homes for sale, and meet homebuying experts at this homebuying fair in Baltimore's eastern region.  Homebuyers also have a chance to receive $3000 toward their new home in Baltimore City.
 
To register for this free event or for more information, visit www.livebaltimore.com/bib or call 410-637-3750.
Rally for Recovery!
Saturday, September 11, 8:00 am-1:00 pm
Druid Hill Park, Sun Dial Pavilion
Join the voices for recovery from alcohol and other drugs.  The 4th Annual Recovery Rally & Walk  raises awareness about drug and alcohol addiction and will take place rain or shine.
 
For more information, or to register, call 410-664-4300.
11th Annual Bug Fest
Saturday, September 11, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Carrie Murray Nature Center, 1901 Ridgetop Road
Enjoy a day of cockroach races, insect cuisine and insect displays.  Admission is $5, $1 for children under 3.
 
For more information, call 410-396-0808.
A Family A Fair
Saturday, September 11, 11:00 am-4:00 pm
The League for People with Disabilities, 1111 East Cold Spring Lane
Enjoy appearances by Batman and popular magician The Great Zucchini.  Carnival games, rides, boutiques and much more will make it a delight to dive into support of this one-of-a-kind community pool.  This fundraiser event will launch the $1 million "Be a Lifesaver" campaign for the renovation of The League's pool.  Admission, which includes 25 activity tickets for games and food, is $25 per family.
 
For more information, call 410-323-0500 or visit www.leagueforpeople.org/fair/home.html.
Activate Your Inner Citizen: University
Saturday, September 11, 8:30 am-12:30 pm
Morgan State University, 5200 Perring Parkway
Get the tools you need for community building.  This series of workshops, presented by Citizens Planning and Housing Association, will help community leaders accomplish more, increase funding, and expand membership.
 
For more information, visit www.cphabaltimore.org.