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Last week, our neighbors in Northeast Baltimore were struck by a tornado. Thankfully, no one was killed or seriously injured, but hundreds of individuals and families were uprooted from the comfort of their homes in the middle of the night. Some were forced to start over in a new home.
 At any time of year, this would be a significant burden to bear. During the holidays, it is even more of a challenge. That is why on the day of the storm, my office established the Northeast Baltimore Disaster Relief Fund for residents affected by the tornado. I am very grateful that Catholic Charities agreed to serve as the designated social service agency to manage the fund. Survivors of last week's tornado can contact Catholic Charities at 443-986-9042.
Sawyer Realty, the owner of Pleasant View and Dutch Village-the apartments hit by the tornado-donated $10,000 to start the relief fund. In the past week, donations have been sent in by some of the caring and thoughtful residents of this great city. However, the fund is still in need of additional contributions.
Any Baltimore-area businesses or individuals interested in donating to the disaster relief fund can do so through Harbor Bank of Maryland:
Northeast Baltimore Disaster Relief Fund
c/o Harbor Bank of Maryland
Mall-04
25 West Fayette Street
Baltimore, MD 21201-3702
Tomorrow, thanks to the generosity of the Classic Catering People and the American Red Cross, those affected by the tornado will be served a gourmet Thanksgiving dinner. Organized in conjunction with the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management, the dinner will be held in the cafeteria of W.E.B. DuBois High School at 2201 Pinewood Avenue starting at 1:00 p.m.
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 Twitter. |
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Sincerely,
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Mayor, City of Baltimore
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Thanksgiving and Furlough Closures
City offices will be closed Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26 due to the Thanksgiving Holiday and a mandatory furlough day. Please note:
- Trash and recycling will not be collected on Thursday, but will be collected on Friday.
- No bulk trash collection will be scheduled for either day. Citizen drop-off centers will also be closed.
- Parking meters will not be in effect on Thursday, but will be in effect Friday.
- Residents will be unable to pay city bills or obtain permits at city offices.
- Emergency services will remain active.
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Christmas Gift Campaign Each year, the Baltimore City Health Department and the Commission on Aging and Retirement Education (CARE) donate new gift items to grandparents raising grandchildren living in Baltimore City. Last year, more than 85 families benefited from the effort, and this year's goal is to reach more than 100 families. Donations of toys, household goods, clothing, and personal hygiene products are needed. Gifts will be accepted November 18-December 19. For more information or a list of drop-off locations, call Ivan Forney at 410-396-4932. |
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Contacting the Mayor
The official Baltimore City website has been updated to make contacting the Mayor's Office even easier. If you have a question, comment, or concern you can now visit baltimorecity.gov/OfficeoftheMayor.aspx and click on "Contact the Mayor." Find forms to submit your comments, apply for ceremonial documents, request city services, and more! |
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DRAFT Zoning Map Public Workshops
Tuesday, November 30, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Baltimore Polytechnic, Cold Spring Lane and Falls Road
Thursday, December 2, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Morgan State, Student Center Room 210, 1700 East Cold Spring Lane The Baltimore City Planning Department is ready to launch the next phase of the citywide zoning update, the release of DRAFT zoning maps. These maps accompany the DRAFT new Zoning Code released in June 2010. Input from property owners, neighborhood associations, developers, and business owners is needed. The DRAFT code is the result of over two years of work and numerous public meetings. To RSVP, click here. For more information, call 410-396-7526 or visit www.rewritebaltimore.org. |
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Bed Bug Response
Tuesday, November 30, 6:00 pm-7:00 pm
Herring Run Branch Pratt Library, 3801 Erdman Avenue Bed bug infestations are on the rise in Baltimore City. The Baltimore City Health Department will hold a series of community meetings to help residents get answers. Learn about avoiding bed bugs, detecting and identifying bed bugs, treatment steps, and city services related to bed bugs. For more information about bed bugs, visit www.baltimorehealth.org/bedbugs.html. |
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Baltimore World AIDS Day
Wednesday, December 1, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
Mt. Vernon Place United Methodist Church, 10 E. Mount Vernon Place Come remember the 47 million people worldwide, the 1.7 million in the United States, and the thousands in the greater Baltimore area who have AIDS or who have died from AIDS. Join us for remembrance, speakers, dancing, singing, and poetry. Following the program, visit the Walters Art Museum for a reception and exhibition created by members of the community who are living with HIV or AIDS. For more information, visit facebook.com/BaltimoreWorldAIDSDay. |
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A Monumental Occasion
Thursday, December 2, 5:30 pm
Mount Vernon Place, 600 Block of N. Charles Street The 39th annual lighting of Baltimore's Washington Monument will feature local entertainers, food, and holiday activities. Sesame Street's Elmo will appear between 6:00 pm and 6:30 pm to greet the crowd and sing a special song. Baltimore native Kevin Clash, performer of Elmo, will be this year's Celebrity Lighter. Shortly before 7:30 pm, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake will join Clash to flip the switch to light the Monument and start the fireworks display. For more information, visit www.godowntownbaltimore.com or call 410-244-1030. |
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Downtown Dollar or Less Days
Saturday, December 4-Sunday, December 5
Various Locations Visitors and residents can enjoy downtown with reduced admission to more than a dozen of Baltimore's most popular attractions and cultural venues. This event, presented by the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, includes deals at attractions like the Top of the World Observation Deck, Maryland Science Center, National Aquarium in Baltimore, and many more. For more information and a complete listing of locations, visit godowntownbaltimore.com and click on Events. |
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Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower Open Studio Day
Saturday, December 4, 12:00 noon-6:00 pm
Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower, 21 S. Eutaw Street See visual and performing artists, visit their work studios, and purchase original artwork. More than a dozen artists showcase their work, including mixed-media, paintings, photographs, and sculptures. The Shop at Bromo, a newly added retail store that sells artwork by regional artists, will have extended hours. For more information, call 410-752-8632 or visit www.bromoseltzerartstower.com. |
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Uncommon Voices Series: The Future of Baltimore
Sunday, December 5, 4:00 pm
Bolton Street Synagogue, 212 W. Cold Spring Lane Dan Rodricks from WYPR will moderate this roundtable discussion, featuring an eclectic group of distinguished leaders from the Baltimore area, including Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. From the economy and education to social services and sports, Baltimore leaders will discuss and forecast their predictions for Baltimore's future. For more information or to RSVP, contact Debbie Barnes at 410-235-5354. |
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Komen for the Cure Focus Group
Thursday, December 9, 6:30 pm-8:00 pm
Enoch Pratt Free Library Cherry Hill Branch, 606 Cherry Hill Road Susan G. Komen for the Cure will conduct this relaxed discussion on various topics related to your community, breast cancer, and breast health programs and services. Light refreshments will be served and participants will be eligible for a grocery or restaurant gift card. Women between the ages of 40 and 64 who live in Baltimore and have or have not had a mammogram are needed. Please call 410-938-8990 to register, or for more information. |
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Baltimore Reads Holiday Fair
Saturday, December 11, 11:00 am-3:00 pm
Baltimore Reads Book Bank, 501 N. Calvert Street Kids who attend this free fair will be invited to take home free books and have the opportunity to choose holiday gifts for family members for free or at kid-friendly prices. The day will feature story time and information on volunteering and community service projects for teenagers. For more information, visit www.baltimorereads.org or call 410-752-3595. |
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Kwanzaa Family Day
Sunday, December 12, 1:00 pm-5:00 pm
The Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive Join the BMA for a celebration of family, community, and culture. Learn about the seven Ngozu Saba, or principles of Kwanzaa, enjoy hands-on art activities such as making an African headdress or fly whisk, and see live family performances by DishiBem Traditional Contemporary Dance and Jali-D. For more information, call 443-573-1700 or visit www.artbma.org. |
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