Winter Weather Advisory in effect - Code Blue has been activated

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According to an 11:43am bulletin of the National Weather Service, a Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect until 6 am Monday. Light snow has begun across the region and will continue during the afternoon and evening hours, with an expected snowfall of 2 to 4 inches. Temperatures should stay around 30 degrees today, falling to the lower to mid-20s tonight. Expect winds from 10 to 15 mph, increasing to 15 to 25 mph, with gusts to 35 mph this afternoon and 20 to 30 mph with gusts to 40 mph tonight.

A Winter Weather Advisory means that periods of snow will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibility; use caution while driving.

Because of predicted extreme cold temperatures and the potential danger to health, Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Oxiris Barbot has declared a Code Blue cold weather alert for Sunday, Dec. 26, 2010.  As a result of the Code Blue declaration, emergency shelters will keep extended hours. Emergency workers will conduct outreach for vulnerable residents.

Cold Weather Tips for Staying Healthy:

• Wear multiple layers of loose-fitting clothing.
• Always wear a head covering, like a hat and/or scarf, when outdoors.
• Keep space heaters and candles away from flammable materials, such as curtains, furniture and loose clothing.
• Drink plenty of fluids and avoid alcoholic beverages.
• Check on those who are elderly and/or chronically ill.
• Provide appropriate shelter for domestic animals.

Residents lacking heat are reminded of the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from using generators in enclosed spaces or burns caused by alternate heating sources. Energy assistance may be available to those who need it. For more information on energy assistance, contact the Office of Home Energy at 410-396-5555.

There are 10 emergency shelters currently operating in Baltimore City. For a complete listing with address and hours of operation or for more information on Code Blue, visit http://www.baltimorehealth.org/.

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Holiday (and Furlough Day) Closures and Service Impacts

Baltimore City Government Offices will be closed for Friday, December 24, Monday, December 27, and Friday, December 31.

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On Christmas Eve – Friday, December 24:

• Trash and recycling, both curbside and City containers WILL BE COLLECTED.
• 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).
• All City buildings WILL BE CLOSED.
• Parking meters WILL BE IN EFFECT.

 NOTE: Parking meters WILL NOT be in effect on Christmas Day, Saturday, December 25.

 

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On the Mandatory Furlough day – Monday, December 27:

• This is not a regular waste collection day.
• 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).
• All City buildings WILL BE CLOSED with the exception of the Police Headquarters complex. Citizens will be unable to pay City bills or obtain permits at City offices. City residents can pay some bills online; please visit www.baltimorecity.gov.

Parking meters WILL BE IN EFFECT on Monday, December 27.

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On New Year’s Eve – Friday, December 31:

• Trash and recycling, both curbside and City containers WILL BE COLLECTED.
• 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).
• All City buildings WILL BE CLOSED.
• Parking meters WILL BE IN EFFECT.

NOTE: Parking meters WILL NOT be in effect on New Year’s Day, Saturday, January 1, 2011.

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A Holiday Gift for Our Schools!

All rights reserved by bootupbaltimore

This morning, I had the pleasure of dropping off the first round of computers being donated to all of the schools in the 4th district, just before they closed for Christmas and New Year's.  Thanks to Bootup Baltimore, each of the following schools will be receiving a newly-reconditioned PC system with a 19" or 20" flat-panel monitor: Walter P. Carter Elementary/Middle, Guilford Elementary/Middle, Tunbridge Public Charter, Govans Elementary, Baltimore IT Academy, Leith Walk Elementary, and Yorkwood Elementary.

Bootup Baltimore is a computer volunteering organization affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University, under the auspices of the school's Center for Social Concern. They work in tandem with Baltimore public schools, providing free computers and computer instruction to students in need. Their members volunteer their time and expertise to repair recycled computers and train students in word processing, graphics design, hardware maintenance, web development, and other useful and marketable computer skills.

A special shout-out goes to Tom Smith, a senior at Hopkins and president of the organization.  While most of the group's members had already left town for the holidays, Tom took time away from his family - and his birthday! - to put together the seven systems and help load them into my van in time to get most of them delivered before schools closed this morning for winter break.  (The systems for Baltimore IT and Guilford Elementary/Middle will be delivered when schools re-open on January 3rd.)

Not only does Bootup Baltimore recondition the computers before

providing them to schools at no charge, but the organization also provides servicing for the computers going forward.  Based on the reaction of the principals I spoke with this morning,

I think that today marks the beginning of a beautiful partnership...

Have a happy holiday season and stay safe in the New Year!

Design Workshop for York Road and Cold Spring Lane

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The Department of Transportation will be holding a special design workshop for the intersection of York Road and Cold Spring Lane on December 16th, 5:30pm at Guilford Elementary/Middle School.

During previous York Road Corridor Improvement Project meetings, the community stated that this intersection is an important gateway for the York Road corridor, so DoT would like to explore additional ideas to enhance its appearance that fit within our budget. 

If you have any additional questions, feel free to reach out directly to Mark Brown at DoT - mark.brown@baltimorecity.gov

Hope to see you! - Bill

Christmas Eve & Mandatory Furlough Day Closings

Mayor's Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Commission

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On October 4th, the Baltimore City Council passed Bill 10-506, creating the Mayor's Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Commission. This commission will continue the work of the Mayor's Anti-Animal Abuse Task Force, which has functioned since July 2009, with a goal of eradicating animal abuse in Baltimore.

As Mayor Rawlings-Blake said upon enactment, “[W]e all have a strong and visceral reaction to news about animal abuse. Abused animals cannot speak for themselves, and if those of us who care about the humane treatment of living beings do not speak up on their behalf, no one will. Additionally, we know that there is a high correlation between animal abuse and other types of interpersonal violence.”

The commission will be composed to 33 members, 14 of which are to be chosen from each of the council districts. The Mayor has requested that each council member submit a resident of their district for consideration in accordance with Article IV, SS 6 of the Baltimore City Charter.

If you are interested in serving on the commission, please send a resume and a short (1-2 paragraph) letter of interest to my office. If emailing, please use MS Word format or a .pdf file for the attachments and use the subject line “Mayor's Anti-Animal Abuse Advisory Commission application”.

I share the Mayor’s confidence that through the diligent work of this Commission, we can begin to make progress addressing animal abuse in Baltimore. Thanks!

- Bill

(Image courtesy of Fox 45)

Thanksgiving Day & Mandatory Furlough Day Closings

Veterans Day - Thursday, November 11th

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City offices will be closed Veterans Day

Trash and recycling will not be collected. (Saturday, November 13th will be the make-up day for collection in those parts of our district regularly scheduled for Thursday recycling collection.)

No bulk trash collection will be scheduled for November 11, and citizen drop-off centers will be closed.

Parking meters will be in effect.

Emergency services will remain active.

Veterans Day Ceremony

The City's annual Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on Thursday, November 11th at 10:00 a.m. in the War Memorial Building, 101 N. Gay Street.

Activities will include a parade, ceremony and tributes to distinguished Maryland veterans. All are welcome.

Note: The original, full, and printable versions of this announcement can be found here:
http://cityservices.baltimorecity.gov/MOIT/VeteransDayFlyer_2010.pdf

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Community Conversation - Temporary Use Of Winston Middle School Building

Please Support GEDCO's ThanksGiving Tribute

For more details, go to http://www.gedco.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=430293

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DRAFT NEW ZONING MAP PUBLIC WORKSHOPS

The City's Department of Planning is now 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. Planning needs input on their early version DRAFT zoning maps from property owners, neighborhood associations, developers, business owners and anyone else interested in the physical redevelopment of Baltimore. After the workshops, they will prepare a revised draft of both the text and maps for release in spring 2011.

At each workshop listed below, there will be a brief presentation on the DRAFT new Zoning Code and the approach to mapping. Following the presentation there will be draft maps placed around the room for review and plenty of time for discussion, comments and questions. The DRAFT code is the result of over two years of work and numerous public meetings; now we can all discuss how this proposed Code might impact your property and other parcels in your neighborhood.

PLEASE JOIN US FOR ONE OF THE FOLLOWING WORKSHOPS. The PRESENTATIONS ARE ALL FROM 6-8 PM and will be repeated at all meetings, so please attend the most convenient date for you and forward this invitation to others.

NOVEMBER 16TH

Cristo Rey High School

420 South Chester Street

The school is located on Chester between Eastern and Bank Street

NOVEMBER 22ND

Department of Planning

417 East Fayette Street, 8th floor

NOVEMBER 30TH

Baltimore Polytechnic High School-Cafeteria

Cold Spring Lane and Falls Road - enter on West Cold Spring Lane and park in front of school and use main entrance

DECEMBER 2ND

Morgan State University

University Center/ Student Center Room 210

On Hillen Road, south of East Cold Spring Lane

Park in garage behind the building; enter from East Cold Spring Lane

No RSVP needed, but we would greatly appreciate it if you could let us know if you plan to attend by clicking here. This will help to ensure a more productive workshop for all.
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DRAFT NEW ZONING CODE COMMENT PERIOD EXTENDED

In June 2010 the Department of Planning released the DRAFT new Zoning Code text. Since then we have held eight major public presentations and discussions around the City. Hundreds of citizens have attended; read the document online or at a library and/or have sent us comments, concerns and suggestions. To broaden the opportunity for public input, we have extended the time to receive comments on the first draft to December 15, 2010.

To review the DRAFT code, previous presentations and other supporting material and to comment on the DRAFT text, please visit http://www.rewritebaltimore.org/. The DRAFT maps will also be available on the web later in December, after the public meetings.

For questions, email or call 410-396-PLAN

Copies of the text are available at the reference desk in all Enoch Pratt Libraries.

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