Councilman Bill Henry's 4th District Blog: April 2011

Monday, April 18

Household Hazardous Waste Day - Saturday, April 30th

This is a great opportunity for Baltimore City residents to dispose of household hazardous waste materials including pesticides, turpentine, latex paints, car batteries, disinfectants, car batteries and more!

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Falls Road & Cold Spring Lane

(Please use Cold Spring Lane entrance to the lot)

Saturday, April 30th - 9am to 2pm

Baltimore City residents ONLY - proof of residency WILL BE required!

Materials that WILL NOT be accepted include asbestos, medical or industrial waste, smoke alarms, and mercury thermometers.

For a complete list of acceptable and non-acceptable items, residents should go to www.baltimorecity.gov
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Wednesday, April 13

Planning Department's 2010 Annual Report

The Department of Planning’s Annual Report for 2010 is now on-line. As the City Council's representative on the Planning Commission, I'm especially proud to share with you details about the work which your Planning Department is doing to streamline the development process, revitalize neighborhoods, preserve Baltimore’s heritage, and promote a green and healthy City.

Click here to view and download - please be patient as this graphic-rich document downloads!
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Tuesday, April 12

York Streetscaping Design Phase Almost Complete!

The long-awaited Streetscape Project for York Road between Glenwood Ave. and 43rd St. is almost complete! The City's Department of Transportation is putting the finishing touches on design plans!

On Thursday, April 28th, the Department of Transportation will go over the plans as they now stand and take final public input with regards to the streetscaping project. Come and see how your ideas have taken shape!

York Corridor Streetscape Meeting

Homeland Vocational Center

4800 York Road

April 28th - 6pm to 8pm

If you have any questions, please contact Leslie Wietscher in my office at Leslie.Wietscher@baltimorecity.gov or 410-396-4830. Hope to see you then!
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Monday, April 11

City Closed For Good Friday - April 22, 2011

Good Friday, April 22, 2011 is a City Holiday and all City offices will be closed.

There will be no trash or recycling collections on Friday, April 22nd, but the make-up collection day will be the next day, Saturday, April 23rd.

Additionally:

There WILL BE NO BULK TRASH collection scheduled.
Citizen drop-off centers WILL BE CLOSED (all yards including Quarantine Road Landfill, the Northwest Transfer Station and the Eastern, Western and Northwestern Sanitation Yards).

Parking meters WILL BE IN EFFECT...

For further information about trash or recycling collection, please contact either Celeste Amato at Celeste.Amato@baltimorecity.gov (410-545-6541) or Robert Murrow at Robert.Murrow@baltimorecity.gov (410-545-6189)
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Monday, April 4

SAVE THE DATE - York-Belvedere Small Area Plan Community Meeting

The Baltimore City Planning Department is preparing to wrap up a planning process for the York-Belvedere commercial area, focusing on issues of traffic, parking and zoning. Please join us on April 18th to review the conclusions to date. Tell your neighbors and community association members - everyone is welcome.

York-Belvedere Small Area Plan meeting

Monday, April 18th - 6pm to 7:30pm

Junior League, 5902 York Road (enter off of Rosebank)

For more information, please contact either Leslie Wietscher in my office at Leslie.Wietscher@baltimorecity.gov or Katie Rose Imbriano, Northern District Planner for the Baltimore City Dept of Planning at Kathleen.Imbriano@baltimorecity.gov
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Welcome to Councilman Bill Henry's on-line calendar and newsletter!

** THIS WEEK **

Friday, March 7: Baltimore Police Department’s Annual Open House: 5:00pm-9:00pm

The Baltimore City Police Department will be holding an Open House on Friday, March 7th, from 5:00pm to 9:00pm at the BISHOP L. ROBINSON SR Police Administration Building (BPD Headquarters) at 601 E. Fayette Street. All are welcome.

• Tour Police Headquarters

• See Equipment Displays and Demonstrations

• Talk with Specialized Units

• Talk with Baltimore Police Recruiters

• Enjoy light Refreshments

WWW.BPDRECRUIT.COM #ASaferBaltimore

Saturday, March 8: Greater Homewood Community Corporation’s 7th Annual Neighborhood Institute: 9:30am-3:30pm

Greater Homewood Community Corporation (GHCC) is pleased to announce the 7th Annual Neighborhood Institute: Transforming Thought to Action at the Inn at the Colonnade.

Led by some of Baltimore’s best and brightest activists, artists, educators, and leaders, the Neighborhood Institute is a day-long series of free workshops focused on educating City residents about what they can do to help build and strengthen vibrant urban communities – and, this year, assisting them to take action on the issues they care most about.

Workshop topics will include block captain training, increasing community engagement, beautifying neighborhoods, healthy living, fundraising, marketing, and, at the end of the day, a collaborative problem-solving session led by Community Design Lab.

We are also thrilled to welcome The Baltimore Wake Up as a partner in this event, with actress Sonja Sohn (from HBO’s The Wire), as our guest speaker.

The Neighborhood Institute represents a great opportunity to gain a first-hand understanding of the strategies and skills essential to community organizing from Baltimore’s best! We encourage our neighborhood leaders to get involved!

**Tickets to the 7th Annual Neighborhood Institute on March 8 have SOLD OUT! If you would like to be placed on our waiting list, please email esimpson@greaterhomewood.org with the subject line “Neighborhood Institute Waiting List”**

Sunday, March 9: Green Baltimore! An Eco Event Expo: Noon-4:00pm

Sunday, March 9, Noon-4pm, The Vollmer Center at Cylburn Arboretum, 4915 Greenspring Avenue. Baltimore City Recreation and Parks, Cylburn Arboretum and The Rawlings Conservatory present Green Baltimore! An Eco Event Expo.

Let us show you how to turn any event-from workshops to weddings, meetings to Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, fundraisers to family reunions- into an event that makes a difference. Learn how to make ecologically smart, sustainable and economical choices regarding caterers, rental companies, florists and other meeting and event professionals. Enjoy sampling fresh, locally sourced culinary delights while learning about our area’s wealth of locally grown, farm fresh meats, produce and fruit. Get tips and advice from industry professionals on how to make your party posh without polluting the planet. Come and enjoy Baltimore’s greenest venue in Baltimore’s most beautiful garden environment.

Admission is free and open to the public!

Sunday, March 9: FRESH VEGGIES and FRUIT AVAILABLE this SUNDAY! 4:00pm-5:30pm

(Sponsored by Gather Baltimore and York Road Partnership)

Location: E. 43rd and St. Georges Avenue (Walter P. Carter Elementary/Middle Area)

Time: Food distribution starts @ 4:00pm (First Come, 1st Serve)

Cost: $6 donations ($5 donation w/IKEA bag already available)

Please take advantage of this opportunity and pass on to all whom it will be beneficial!

For more information: Nia Govans at ncgovan@gmail.com or Marie Anderson: memcsweeney@loyola.edu

* RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES *

The Horseshoe Legendary Academy: Are you ready to Work for the Legend?

Welcome to the Horseshoe Legendary Academy, a two-day academy developed to give you information about the Horseshoe Casino brand, hiring requirements, and endless career possibilities. Now is your chance to have a competitive edge, plus receive hands on practice.

“Special Hiring Consideration” will be provided to those who complete the Legendary Academy.

To RSVP for a Horseshoe Legendary Academy location near you, visit http://thehorseshoelegendaryacademy.eventbrite.com or call Pat Anderson at 410-396-9030

For more information visit www.oedworks.com or email casino@oedworks.com For ADA accommodations, please e-mail casino@oedworks.com or call Pat Anderson at 410-396-9030. Requests must be made 2 weeks in advance.

Industry workshops are a service of the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development, the Baltimore Workforce Investment Board and multiple workforce partners.

Saturday, March 15: 4th District Horseshoe Casino Job Fair: 9am-noon

1,700+ Jobs @ the Horseshoe Baltimore Casino!

Where: Community Action Center, 5225 York Road

Don’t miss this opportunity for employment! Apply right in your community! Pass the word to your family, friends and neighbors!

Low Income Senior Water Discount Program

The Low Income Senior Citizens Water Discount Program reduces water bills by 35% for eligible applicants. To receive a water bill discount, customers must:

• be residents of Baltimore City.

• be responsible for paying the water bill.

• be age 65 or older.

• have a gross household income of $25,000 or less.

Applications and more details are available by calling 410-396-5398.

Customers can also receive a copy of the application by visiting www.cleanwaterbaltimore.org. Click on the "Customer Care" tab and select "Senior Discount Application" from the drop down menu.

BGE Offers New Budget Billing Plan Options to Help Customers with High Bills

BGE is offering customers enrollment into its Budget Billing program, which spreads payments out over a 12 month period and reduces seasonal increases in energy usage. Customers can also find tips on saving energy and money at BGE.com/WinterReady and BGESmartEnergy.com.

BGE is providing billing options to help customers with current and future energy bills, in response to a significant increase in customer usage. Starting January 29, customers may contact BGE to discuss their Budget Billing and other special payment options. Customers who wish to enroll in Budget Billing should call BGE at 800-685-0123. Customers who have more than $500 in overdue bills are encouraged to call BGE to discuss their payment options as well. Limited income customers are strongly encouraged to apply for energy assistance before they are in crisis. For more information, call BGE or contact the Office of Home Energy Programs (OHEP) at

800-352-1446. Residents of Baltimore City should call 410-396-5555. Grants can help with past-due amounts and future payments. Learn more at bge.com/financialassistance.

MECU Neighborhood Event Grants Available for 2014

Funding is available to bring an exciting and valuable event or service to your neighborhood! The MECU Neighborhood Event Grants program awards cash grants to Baltimore neighborhood associations and community-based nonprofit organizations for the purpose of producing special events. New for 2014, MECU has increased their support to provide opportunities for more organizations. Eligible groups can receive up to $1,000 to produce an event for the community and residents they serve, such as art workshops, back-to-school rallies, block parties, book drives, food drives, health fairs and neighborhood clean-ups. The deadline for applications is Friday, March 21, 2014 at 5pm. Click here for eligibility information and application https://boparegistrations.wufoo.com/forms/mecu-neighborhood-events-grants-2014/

Summer Camps at Notre Dame of Maryland University Begin Registration

Notre Dame of Maryland University is offering an array of summer camps to meet a spectrum of ages and interests. They include Camp Notre Dame for children ages 5 to 11; A Child’s Place Summer Camp for children ages 3 through 6 (entering first grade); and STEM Day Camp focusing on science, technology and mathematics for students entering grades 3 to 5.

Registration for Camp Notre Dame, a summer weekday program for girls and boys ages 5-11, has begun. Camp will be held in four sessions beginning June 16 and ending August 8. The camp is located at College of Notre Dame of Maryland, 4701 North Charles Street in Baltimore.

Campers, in groups of 12-15 children of the same general age, will have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of activities including swimming, sports, music and drama, arts and crafts, nature activities and special events. The camp has an average camper-to-counselor ratio of 5:1 for younger campers and slightly higher for the older groups, leading to plenty of individualized attention.

The camp begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Campers may be dropped off at 8 a.m. and picked up until 5 p.m., while early drop-offs and late pick-ups are available for a nominal charge.

Camp session schedule:

• Session 1: June 16-27 ($500)

• Session 2: June 30-July 11; closed July 4 ($500)

• Session 3: July 14-25 ($500)

• Session 4: July 28-August 8 ($500)

Camp Notre Dame is fully certified by the State of Maryland. To register or for more information call 410-532-3584, log onto ndm.edu/campnotredame or email campnotredame@nmd.edu.

A Child’s Place Summer Camp runs in five sessions from June 9 to August 15. Camp hours are from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Extended day at no extra charge. Camp doors open at 7:30 a.m. and close at 5:30 p.m. Camp tuition is $500 for each two-week session.

The STEM Summer Day Camp makes Science, Technology and Math fun! This year’s STEM Summer Camp runs from July 21 to 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Each day, campers will be introduced to a new STEM concept focused on the Chesapeake Bay and will participate in hands-on learning. But it’s not all about science: there is also time for swimming, team building, crafts and lunch. Camp tuition is $500 and applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, go to ndm.edu/STEMcamp or call 410 532-5148.

Baltimore CASH Campaign:

Thanks to the Baltimore CASH Campaign (Creating Assets, Savings, and Hope), working residents will save money this tax season. The Baltimore CASH Campaign works to increase the financial security of low-income individuals and families by providing free tax preparation and asset-building services with a coalition of partners.

Now in its 13th year offering free tax services, the CASH Campaign is operating 11 free tax preparation sites in Baltimore City where IRS-certified volunteers will prepare and electronically file taxes for free for eligible workers.

Families and individuals making less than $52,000 qualify for free tax assistance. This means free professional tax advice, e-filing, and information about the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). To schedule your free tax appointment, simply call 410-234-8008 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. You can also schedule online at www.baltimorecashcampaign.org.

Your closest location:

Northern Community Action Center

5225 York Rd.

By appointment only

Online Pre-Registration for Baltimore City’s 2014 YouthWorks Summer Jobs Program

YouthWorks is also recruiting organizations to serve as worksites and employers to participate in Hire One Youth

Baltimore City residents between the ages of 14 and 21 can pre-register online for the 2014 YouthWorks summer jobs program: http://youthworks.oedworks.com.

Each summer, YouthWorks matches thousands of city youth to six-week summer jobs with private sector, nonprofit and city and state government employers throughout the city, where they develop familiarity with the workplace, become better prepared to meet employers’ expectations, and gain exposure to career opportunities in the Baltimore metropolitan area’s high growth industries. In 2014, YouthWorks summer jobs will begin June 23 and end August 1.

Pre-Registration for Youth:

Pre-registration for youth will run through Friday, March 14. Everyone who pre-registers must attend an in-person certification appointment to be eligible to be placed in a YouthWorks job. Certification appointments will be held through March 29.

Pre-registering online and attending an in-person certification appointment do not guarantee a placement in a YouthWorks summer job.

Final Urban Land Institute (ULI) Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) Report

Last June York Road stakeholders were invited to offer their insight, vision and wisdom with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) who studied and made recommendations to strengthen the York Road commercial corridor from 39th Street in the City to Towson University in the County. Over 200 area stakeholders were present for discussions and recommendations.

The ULI process was a collaborative project with Baltimore City and County, Govanstowne Business Association, York Road Partnership, Loyola University Maryland, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Baltimore Development Corporation, among others. We hope the ULI recommendations encourage enhanced partnership between our public and private partners.

If you have any questions and/or are interested in this information being presented to your organization, please feel free to respond back to YorkRoadPartnership@gmail.com. Your input and perspective is very much welcome and needed as we continue to move forward.

Please CLICK HERE for the ULI TAP Final Report.

Knock! Knock! BGE is installing smart meters in your neighborhood

These upgraded meters provide customers with tools to help manage your energy use and save on your monthly bills. Don’t miss out on energy and bill-saving benefits, including:

• Summer bill savings – BGE Smart Energy Rewards customers saved an average of $80 in 2012.

• Personalized energy efficiency tips

• Savings summaries – watch your savings grow!

BGE is encouraging customers with indoor or inaccessible meters (such as those behind a locked gate) to schedule your smart meter appointment by calling the installer who is working in your neighborhood; this number is included in postcards and letters you may have received. Meters are installed by BGE-authorized vendors who will carry identification. Convenient evening and weekend appointments are available. If a technician is on your street installing meters, they may knock on your door to see if they are able to upgrade your meter also. The work will take just a few minutes in most cases. If you have questions about any technician coming to your home, or wish to know which vendor is servicing your neighborhood, please call BGE at 800.685.0123.

If you do not wish to have a smart meter installed, you can request a temporary delay, or deferral, by contacting BGE in writing or via email. The Maryland Public Service Commission is in the process of determining the specifics, including monthly fees, for customers who do not want a meter. BGE will communicate any next steps when the PSC makes a final determination.

To request a deferral, please include your address, account number, phone number and email address and send request to smartmeterdeferral@bge.com or:

Smart Meter Deferral

BGE

P.O. Box 1475

Baltimore, MD 21203

For more information on smart meters and programs that help customers with smart meters save energy and money, visit bge.com/smartenergy

Family Saturdays @ The Senator Theatre:

Family Saturdays at The Senator kicked off December 28th! Admission is $5 for EVERYONE. Tickets are now available at the box office and www.thesenatortheatre.com. See the below calendar of upcoming shows…and mark your calendars!

All Shows Start at 10am and admission is only $5!

March 8 - The Muppet Movie (1979)

March 29 - BIG (1988)

April 12 - TBD

April 19 - The Princess Bride (1982)

See you at the movies

** UPCOMING EVENTS **

Saturday, March 15: 4th District Job Fair: 9am-noon

1,700 Jobs @ the Horseshoe Baltimore Casino!

Where: Community Action Center, 5225 York Road

Don’t miss this opportunity for employment! Apply right in your community! Pass the word to your family, friends and neighbors!

Wednesday, March 19: Northern District Community Council Meeting: 7:00pm

This month Commissioner Anthony Batts will be the featured speaker. This is an open, public meeting…all interested parties are welcome.

Meetings are held the 3rd Wednesday of every other month. Next meeting will be May 21, 2014.

The Northern District Community Council meets at the Northern District Headquarters, 2201 W. Coldspring Lane (just west of I83).

Thank you for your interest in making the Northern District and the City of Baltimore a safer place to live.

For more information: Officer Doug Gibson: Douglas.Gibson@BaltimorePolice.org or

Sgt Ron Morales: Ronaldo.MoralesJr@BaltimorePolice.org

Monday, April 18

Household Hazardous Waste Day - Saturday, April 30th

Wednesday, April 13

Planning Department's 2010 Annual Report

Tuesday, April 12

York Streetscaping Design Phase Almost Complete!

Monday, April 11

City Closed For Good Friday - April 22, 2011

Monday, April 4

SAVE THE DATE - York-Belvedere Small Area Plan Community Meeting

Welcome to Councilman Bill Henry's on-line calendar and newsletter!

THIS WEEK

UPCOMING EVENTS

Movie Nights and Presentations

Councilman Henry's District Office

Wanna know more about Bill?

Useful Links

Blog Archive

Monday, April 18

Household Hazardous Waste Day - Saturday, April 30th

Wednesday, April 13

Planning Department's 2010 Annual Report

Tuesday, April 12

York Streetscaping Design Phase Almost Complete!

Monday, April 11

City Closed For Good Friday - April 22, 2011

Monday, April 4

SAVE THE DATE - York-Belvedere Small Area Plan Community Meeting

Welcome to Councilman Bill Henry's on-line calendar and newsletter!

** THIS WEEK **

** UPCOMING EVENTS **

Movie Nights and Presentations

Councilman Henry's District Office

Wanna know more about Bill?

Useful Links

Blog Archive

Subscribe To Bill's 4th District Blog

THIS WEEK

UPCOMING EVENTS