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 On Wednesday, Ms. Wendy Hamlin, Principal of Brehms Lane Elementary School, welcomed me, state and city housing officials, business partners, and former NFL pro Antonio Freeman into her school to announce details for the 2011 Summer Food Service Program (SFSP). The program, which is administered by Baltimore Housing's Office of Community Services, will officially start on June 20 and will run though August 19. Children ages 18 and under will receive a nutritional breakfast and lunch five days a week during the summer months when schools are closed. Although the country is coming out of the Great Recession, there is no question that we are in challenging times. Many families that were struggling before are still fighting to survive. Many parents and caretakers are trying to figure out how they are going to feed their children while making ends meet. That's why this year's Summer Food Service Program is just as vital as ever. Across this country, nearly 14 million children depend on free and reduced-price school meals 9 months of the year. Baltimore City's Summer Food Service Program provides free breakfast and lunch to help children in working class and low-income areas get the nutrition they need to learn, play, and grow throughout the summer months. Good nutrition is essential to a child's growth and development, and thousands of children from families in Baltimore rely on the meals provided at school to get the nutrition they require. When schools close for the summer, children miss out on free or reduced-price school breakfast and lunch. Through the SFSP, these children can continue to receive nutritious meals while on break. The city estimates that it will serve 485,000 lunches and 370,000 breakfasts this summer at 450 sites. Over the 44-day period, the program will feed more than 20,000 children per day. The meals are freshly prepared and delivered daily by Martin's Caterers, Inc. Additionally, The Family League of Baltimore City is developing an innovative mobile meals program that will stop at three locations in Baltimore City and serve supper to children at 40 program sites. We held the announcement in early May to ensure that parents know there is plenty of time to register their child or children for the program. Just as learning does not end when school lets out, neither does a child's need for good nutrition. For more information about the 2010 Summer Food Service Program or to sign up, visit http://www.baltimorehousing.org/food/. |
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Sincerely,
Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Mayor, City of Baltimore
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2011 Walking Tour Season
The Baltimore National Heritage area and the Office of the Mayor present the 2011 walking tour season. Free guided walking tours, starting from the Inner Harbor Visitor Center, take place daily. Visitors can choose a Heritage Walk, which explores four centuries of American history, or the Mt. Vernon Cultural Walk, showcasing architectural history, philanthropy, and the expansion of a thriving city. On Sundays, Pennsylvania Avenue Heritage Trail is also offered. For more information, visit www.starspangledtrails.org or call 443-984-2369. |
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Red Line Open House
For the past six months, Red Line Station Area Advisory Committees have discussed community priorities and created a visioning plan for each station. This month, the MTA will host four Open Houses where the general public will have an opportunity to see the maps and documents each group has produced. SAAC members and MTA, City, and County representatives will be available to answer questions and accept comments. For more information, dates, and locations of open houses, visit www.baltimoreregiontransitplan.com. |
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Community Organization Funding Opportunity
The Mayor's Office on Criminal Justice will offer grants to community organizations to work on the CORPS Community Engagement Initiative. The grants should be used to support the immediate needs of youth involved with the Department of Juvenile Services who are returning to the community following out-of-home residential placements. The application deadline is June 1, 2011. Interested organizations should apply now. |
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stepUP! Baltimore VISTA Volunteer Opportunity The Office of the Mayor is recruiting full-time, one-year AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers to play an important role in establishing, coordinating, and building capacity for the Mayor's stepUP! Baltimore initiatives. VISTAs start this summer, serve for one year, receive a living allowance, medical coverage, and a choice of either an education award or stipend at the end of service. To apply, visit www.americorps.gov/about/programs/vista.asp and click Advanced Opportunity Search, then enter "AmeriCorps VISTA" for Program Type, "Maryland" for State, and "Office of the Mayor" for Program Name. Deadline is May 9. |
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Open City Challenge Through a joint sponsorship with MTA, Urbanite magazine, D center Baltimore, and MICA, the Baltimore City Department of Transportation (DOT) recently launched this unique project to encourage people to think differently about the Red Line. The Open City Challenge is a call for creative and innovative ideas to turn construction of the Red Line into a positive experience for the community. Awards for the best ideas include cash prizes totaling $10,000. Anyone with an engaging, creative, and unique idea can submit a proposal. For more information or to download the Request for Proposals (RFP), visit www.urbaniteproject.com. Submissions are due June 3, 2011. |
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I Know You're Looking, But What Do You See?
May 6-June 17
Opening Reception: Friday, May 6, 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
School 33 Art Center, 1427 Light Street This exhibition features six artists whose drawings, paintings and photographs force the viewer to unfold the narrative within each work. Curated by Lowery Stokes Sims of the Museum of Arts and Design in New York City, the exhibition features artwork with layers of meaning and possibility. For more information, visit www.school33.org or call 443-263-4350. |
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Kinetic Sculpture Race
Saturday, May 7, All Day
American Visionary Art Museum, 800 Key Highway
Kinetic Sculptures are amphibious, human powered works of art custom built for the race. Each May, the American Visionary Art Museum hosts the East Coast Kinetic Sculpture Race Championship on the shore of Baltimore's Inner Harbor. The eight-hour race covers 15 miles-mostly on pavement, but also including a trip into the Chesapeake Bay and through mud and sand. Come view the race and join in the festivities! For more information, visit www.kineticbaltimore.com. |
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Knight of Music
Saturday, May 7, 6:00 pm
Goucher College Kraushaar Auditorium, 1021 Dulaney Valley Road The Baltimore City College Choir presents its annual Knight of Music Gala Concert. The concert will feature a diverse repertoire, including the music of Nystedt, Faure, Tschenokoff, Hogan, Ellington, and Smallwood. Jazz, musical theater, music from the hit TV show GLEE, and spirited gospel selections will also be featured. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Proceeds from the gala will benefit the Baltimore City College Choir Scholarship Fund. For more information, call 1-877-4WE-SING (493-7464). |
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Historic Tax Credits & Preservation in Your Neighborhood
Monday, May 9, 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Open City MICA exhibit, 16 W. North Avenue Citizens Planning and Housing Association, Inc. (CPHA) presents this latest Activate Your Inner Citizen Workshop. Eli Pousson, Field Officer at Baltimore Heritage, will teach Baltimore community members about using historic tax credits to improve their home and how to preserve historic buildings. For more information, or to register, visit tinyurl.com/2011AYICWMay9. |
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Summer Sounds at the Square
Fridays, May 13-September 16, 6:00 pm-9:00 pm
Belvedere Square, York Road and Belvedere Avenue Let the concert season begin! Belvedere Square brings back Summer Sounds at the Square for its eighth season. These free, weekly outdoor concerts feature live music from Baltimore's favorite local bands. Concert-goers can also enjoy scrumptious gourmet food and beverages from Belvedere Square market vendors and restaurants! For a complete schedule of performances and dining options, visit www.belvederesquare.com. |
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ServeFest
Saturday, May 14
Various Locations
Hundreds of churches providing thousands of volunteers from the Baltimore area will team up to participate in a one-day, hands-on serving event. ServeFest aims to show kindness to others, build community, and increase levels of community involvement. Both skilled and unskilled volunteer opportunities are available. For more information, visit www.servefestmd.org. |
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Foreclosure Solutions Workshop
Saturday, May 14, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Poly-Western High School, 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane With the recent passage of Maryland's Foreclosure Mediation Act, homeowners now have a new tool in their fight against foreclosure. Volunteer lawyers are available to assist in the process and ensure the best possible outcome. Homeowners do not need to be in foreclosure to obtain a consultation with a volunteer attorney. Make sure to bring all related paperwork. For more information, visit www.probonomd.org/foreclosure.html. |
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Big Truck Day
Saturday, May 14, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Highway
Bring the whole family to see the big trucks that help build our city, save lives, and keep Baltimore running. For more information, call 410-545-6541. |
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Down the Stretch for SGK
Saturday, May 14, 10:30 am
Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Avenue
Pimlico and the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure have teamed up with Corrigan Sports to present a 5K race to benefit Komen Maryland. Kick off Preakness week with run on the actual Preakness track and past the historic stable area. The 5K will feature many horse-themed activities, including bibs designed to look like the racing silks worn by jockeys, and great prizes. For more information, visit www.corrigansports.com/Events/Preakness_5K.html. |
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MECU'S Pee Wee Preakness
Tuesday, May 17, 11:30 am
Federal Hill Park, Warren Avenue & Battery Avenue This annual event brings children 10 years old and younger together for a miniature race on bouncy hippity hops. Children can also enjoy arts and crafts projects, interactive games, and more. Local daycare centers, schools, and recreation centers should register children by Friday, May 13, 5:00 pm. To sign up for MECU's Pee Wee Preakness, email ttharrington@promotionandarts.com. Registration is suggested, but not required. For more information on MECU'S Pee Wee Preakness, visit www.promotionandarts.com or call 1-877-BALTIMORE. |
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Black-Eyed Susan Day
Friday, May 20, 10:00 am
Pimlico Race Course, 5201 Park Heights Avenue
Pimlico Race Course and the Maryland Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure will raise funds and awareness for breast cancer on Black-Eyed Susan Day. Supporters can purchase tickets to The People's Pink Party in the Turfside Terrace, the day's premier celebration. Pimlico will donate 10% of all Black-Eyed Susan Turfside Terrace ticket sales to Komen Maryland. Events throughout the day include Legends for the Cure II, the inaugural all-female Jockey Challenge, the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, and live musical performances. For more information, visit www.preakness.com/peoples-pink-party. |
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