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| Across this country, people suffer from ill health because of a poor diet and lack of exercise. Baltimore is no different. Heart disease, diabetes, and cancer caused by an unhealthy life-style lower the life expectancy in some of our communities to nearly 60 years. That is unacceptable, but there is something we can do about it.
This week, I was joined by Ray Rice of the Baltimore Ravens, Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot, and representatives from CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield and the University of Maryland Medical Center to announce the nation's first Healthy City Days, a new city-wide health initiative. Healthy City Days will take place from September 27 to October 1, 2010, offering free activities aimed at motivating residents to live healthier, smarter, and longer.
Healthy City Days is designed to encourage Baltimore City residents and workers to focus on healthy lifestyle choices and preventive care. The core message of this week-long education and awareness initiative is to get people eating right, exercising often, and participating in prevention-focused activities. The many free events that are part of the week will be offered in locations that are easily accessible, including multiple branches of the Enoch Pratt Library system, all of the City's Community Action Centers, downtown office buildings, and area hospitals.
Healthy City Days will provide people with the education and motivation needed to take better care of themselves and their families. We hope to demonstrate that you do not need lots of time or expensive equipment to live a healthy life. Rather, you need only a commitment to being smart about what you eat, when you exercise, and how you listen to signals from your body.
The week will begin on Monday, September 27 with a 12:30 p.m. walk with from City Hall to the Inner Harbor. I will be joined by my friend, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin and others for this demonstration of a first-step towards wellness.
On September 28th, I will be joined by Baltimore Ravens star Ray Rice for a workout. He hopes to show that anyone, not just professional athletes, can stay in shape, eat right and focus on prevention in order to live stronger and be their best.
Throughout the week of Healthy City Days, there will be screenings for a variety of diseases including heart disease and diabetes. Comprehensive, family oriented health fairs will be ongoing at Pratt Branches. Some of Baltimore's best known chefs will cook in downtown office building lobbies, and many area restaurants will showcase healthy menu choices.
For a full calendar of Healthy City Days events go to www.healthycitydays.com. |
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Sincerely,
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Mayor, City of Baltimore
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Help Save Baltimore's Hebrew Orphan Asylum The This Place Matters Community Challenge is on! Communities all over the country have identified historic sites worthy of support. Baltimore Heritage is working in partnership with Coppin State University to preserve the 1876 Hebrew Orphan Asylum, the oldest Jewish orphanage in the nation. Vote now to help them win this $25,000 grant and preserve one of Baltimore's historic treasures. |
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National Great Blacks in Wax Pepsi Refresh Grant The National Great Blacks in Wax Museum is one of the projects in the running for a $250,000 grant through the Pepsi Refresh Project. If awarded, the grant award will be used to revitalize and create a shared green oasis at the rear of the museum. Every vote counts. Help bring $250,000 to the Baltimore community. Visit www.refresheverything.com/greatblacksinwax daily to cast your vote. Voting ends on September 30. |
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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. |
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Counterbalance September 3-October 30, Wednesday-Saturday, 12:00pm-6:00 pm
School 33 Art Center, Members' Gallery, 1427 Light Street One of the "Best in Show" winners from this year's Lotta Art fundraiser, Kelly Walker presents a series of diptychs and triptychs. Drawing from her years of experience as a decorative painter, she uses a wide range of atypical materials in her work.
For more information, visit www.school33.org. |
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BSA: Labor of Love
Saturday, September 11, 8:30 am
Baltimore School for the Arts, 712 Cathedral Street Labor of Love is the Baltimore School for the Arts' annual call to the community for help cleaning up in preparation for the regular wear and tear of the coming school year. Parents, alumni, students, friends, and staff come together for a day of cleaning, painting, landscaping, and repairing the 110,000 sq. foot historic building.
For more information, or to RSVP for the event, visit www.bsfa.org or email jodiamiller@verizon.net. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Over the Edge for Recovery Wednesday, September 15, 8:00 am-4:00 pm
Silo Point, 1200 Steuart Street In recognition of National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, Gaudenzia Addiction Treatment and Recovery Services presents Over the Edge for Recovery, Baltimore's original rappelling fundraiser.
For more information, visit overtheedge.dojiggy.com. |
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Baltimore Marathon Kids Kickoff Saturday, Sept 18, 10:00 am-11:15 am
Western High School Stadium, 4600 Falls Road Marathon Kids is a free six month running/walking/nutrition and gardening program for K-5th graders who are most vulnerable to type 2 diabetes and sedentary lifestyles.
For more information, visit www.marathonkids.org. |
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Learn to Skate Saturday, September 18, 1:30 pm-2:30 pm
Mt. Pleasant Ice Arena, 6101 Hillen Road Attend the United States Figure Skating Association member skating school. Registration is $97 for a seven-week series. Recommended for ages 4-adult; beginner-expert.
Pre-registration is required. To learn more, call 443-984-4075. |
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Zappa Day and Sculpture Dedication Sunday, Semptember 19, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Enoch Pratt Free Library Southeast Branch, 3601 Eastern Avenue Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and the city of Baltimore honor innovative musician Frank Zappa with the Frank Zappa Sculpture Dedication. The event also marks the 25th anniversary of Frank Zappa's testimony regarding censorship, to the Senate in 1985. The dedication is part of day-long celebration honoring Frank Zappa. Immediately following the dedication, Dweezil Zappa and Zappa Plays Zappa will perform.
For more information and a listing of events, visit www.clearpathentertainment.com/#/Zappa. |
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Constitution Day Symposium: Marriage as a Civil Right Sunday, September 19, 3:00 pm-5:00 pm
MICA, Brown Center Falvey Hall, 1301 W. Mount Royal Avenue This Constitution Day, MICA and the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland (ACLU-MD) will delve into the hot topic of marriage equality for same-sex couples. The free symposium features a panel of experts, advocates, and artists. Included on the program will be syndicated relationship columnist Dan Savage and Columbia University law professor Dr. Kendall Thomas.
For more information, click here. |
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Moonlight Cruise Fundraiser Saturday, September 25, 11:30pm-3:00 am
Inner Harbor The David B. Wright Memorial foundation hosts its 2nd annual State of Restoration Baltimore Family Union Conference 2010. Proceeds from this cruise aboard Spirit of Baltimore will fund student scholarships and help family victims of crime.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.davidbwrightmemorialfoundation.org. |
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