Mayor Rawlings-Blake Announces 2014 Citizen Survey
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake has announced the launch of the 2014 Citizen Survey—a citywide initiative to allow residents to rate the quality of life in the city and their approval with City government. The 2014 survey will be conducted from September 2–29, online and via phone.
"The Citizen Survey is an annual report card for City government," said Mayor Rawlings-Blake. "I urge residents to take a little time out of their day to tell us how we are doing."
Baltimore City implemented the survey in 2009 to collect and utilize survey data to better understand what residents perceive as the top issues facing the city. This annual survey provides time-trend data that measures changes in residents' attitudes, behaviors, and quality of life indicators.
"It is imperative that we have a clear understanding of what issues are impacting our communities," added Mayor Rawlings-Blake. "This survey is an opportunity for residents to offer their full perspective on current conditions and what we as City leaders can do to improve."
City agencies will review the results and incorporate them into their budget proposals for the next fiscal year. Several data points from the survey, such as satisfaction rates will be used as performance measures for various services.
The phone survey, which will also be offered in Spanish, is a scientific study that requires complete answers. Therefore, residents are asked to stay on the phone for the duration of the survey. The online survey is also available in English and Spanish. For more information about the survey, visit bbmr.baltimorecity.gov
Announcements
Star-Spangled Spectacular Volunteers Needed
The Star-Spangled Spectacular begins soon, but there's still time to get involved in this once-in-a-lifetime celebration. Volunteers are needed to help out with various aspects of the event, especially the Family Fun Zone. Volunteers get a free Star-Spangled 200 t-shirt and a wonderful experience to share for years to come. Volunteers must be 16 years old or older. If you would like to volunteer, visit www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/ap?AP=1119232337.
Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year, from September 15 – October 15, America observes National Hispanic Heritage Month. Celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans whose forebears hail from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central or South America. September 15 marks the anniversary of independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua; while Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence on September 16 and September 18, respectively. Throughout the month, join events all over Baltimore in commemoration of Hispanic Heritage.
Call for Ceramic Artists
One of the mayor's duties is to provide ceremonial gifts for visiting dignitaries and officials. In order to show off Baltimore’s talented arts community, the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts and Baltimore Clayworks are seeking ceramic artists to provide uniquely designed artwork to serve as such gifts. The application deadline is September 30, and work must be completed by January 2015. Artists will be compensated for their work. For more information or to apply, visit www.promotionandarts.org or call 410-752-8632.
Community Calendar
Star-Spangled Spectacular: Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of our National Anthem
September 10-16, Inner Harbor. O Say Can You See! Star-Spangled Spectacular is a free festival that celebrates the 200th anniversary of our National Anthem. Tall ships, Navy gray hulls and the Blue Angels will come to Baltimore’s famed Inner Harbor to celebrate The Star-Spangled Banner. Landside festivals include living history demonstrations, a family fun zone, live musical performances, and Chesapeake food and beverage. Events crescendo on September 13 with a star-studded concert and extraordinary fireworks display over Fort McHenry and the Baltimore harbor, which will broadcast live on PBS. www.starspangled200.com
Rising Star Golf Tournament
Friday, September 12, 8:00 am (registration at 7:00 am), Pine Ridge Golf Course, 2101 Dulaney Valley Road, Lutherville. Resident Services, Inc. presents its 3rd annual Rising Star Golf Tournament. This fundraising event featuring four-person captain’s choice teams, benefits The Rising Star Scholarship Fund to provide college assistance for gifted and talented Baltimore City youth. For more information on how you can contribute or participate, contact Karen Kopp or John McDonald at 443-984-1896 or email risingstar@rsinc.org.
Move Up to Northeast Homebuyers Tour
Saturday, September 13, 8:30am-12:30pm, Morgan State University Center for the Built Environment and Infrastructure Studies, 5299 Perring Parkway. Join us for a free guided homebuyer's bus tour of Northeast Baltimore. Tour homes throughout three lovely Northeast neighborhoods, view a variety of community assets and schools and more. Limited seating. Light breakfast and lunch will be provided. For reservations call 410.319.7155.
Northwest Healthy Neighborhoods Community Festival
Saturday, September 13, 1:00-6:00pm, 2400 Longwood St. (corner of Longwood St. and Gwynns Falls Pkwy) Hosted by Garwyn Oaks (GO) Northwest Housing Resource Center. The Festival offers a fun and exciting day’s programming to introduce Baltimore residents and visitors to Hanlon Park, a gem in the Hanlon community, greatly underutilized over the years. Music, food, games, fitness activities, and so much more are planned throughout the festival for youth and adults, families, single adults and seniors. FREE EVENT!!!! Come for the Festival, stay for the neighborhoods!
MTA Red Line Open House - East Baltimore
Thursday, September 18, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Hampstead Hill Academy, 500 S. Linwood Avenue. Come to this first in a series of open houses to discuss the Red Line. This meeting will cover Canton, Brewer's Hill/Canton Crossing, Highlandtown/Greektown, Bayview Campus and Bayview MARC stations.
MTA Red Line Open House - West Baltimore
Saturday, September 20, 9:00 am-12:00 pm, Lockerman Bundy Elementary School, 301 N. Pulaski Street, Come to the second in a series of open houses to discuss the Red Line. This meeting will cover Edmondson Village, Allendale, Rosemont, West Baltimore MARC, Harlem Park, and Poppleton stations.
Free Community SHRED DAY!
Saturday, September 20, 9 am-1pm, Baltimore Polytechnic Institute (Parking Lot), 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane. Watch your document being shredded onsite. Shred cancelled checks, medical records, credit card information, utility bills, old tax returns, pay stubs. If it’s a sensitive paper document…SHRED IT! **Baltimore City Residents/Businesses ONLY! Residents must present Driver’s License/Proof of Residency. We invite residents to shred up to 2 trash bags of documents per household. Sponsored by Bureau of Solid Waste and Office of Recycling. For more information call 410-396-4511.
Baltimore Mueveton, por Tu Familia
Saturday, September 20, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm, Patterson Park, Pulaski Monument. Participate in this day full of healthy lifestyle activities for the whole family. Have fun and learn how you can help prevent diabetes and obesity. For more information, call 410-265-0075 ext. 4679 or email the Baltimore City Hispanic Commission at hispanic.commission@baltimorecity.gov.
Charm City Cyclocross
September 20-21, Druid Hill Park, 9 am-4:15 pm. Bicycle racers from Baltimore and around the country will be competing in the 10th annual Charm City Cyclocross in a course zig-zagging around Druid Hill Park. Great fun (and free) to watch in the beautiful setting of Druid Hill Park. Local food and other vendors on-site. For more information, check www.charmcitycross.com.
Hampdenfest
Saturday, September 20, 11:00 am-7:00 pm, The Avenue, 36th Street between Falls and Keswick. The Hampden Village Merchants Association and the Hampden Community Council invite you to celebrate Baltimore's Hampden neighborhood. Hampdenfest features live entertainment, activities for kids, an emerging artists exhibition, and a film festival, as well as four blocks of arts & crafts and wares from a wide range of vendors. hampdenfest.com
Baltimore Seafood Festival
Saturday, September 20, Noon-6pm, Canton Waterfront Park. Join B Scene Events & Promotions for the Inaugural Baltimore Seafood Festival, showcasing some of Baltimore’s favorite restaurants serving their signature seafood dishes! Add live music, cooking demos, and an area for families with toys, games, face painting and more, and you have the Baltimore Seafood Festival – the only large scale seafood festival in Baltimore City. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance. For ticket info, restaurant lineup and entertainment schedule, visit www.baltimoreseafoodfest.com
Dam Jam
Saturday, September 20, 10 am-4 pm, Cromwell Valley Park, 2175 Cromwell Bridge Road and Loch Raven Dam. Celebrate Baltimore's drinking water reservoirs at Dam Jam—a free event for the whole family! Learn the Baltimore region's water supply with educational exhibits, historical displays, guided tours, and wildlife interactions. Bring chairs and a blanket to enjoy a picnic as you listen to live music from Ultra Faux and Nelly's Echo. For more information, call 410-545-6541 or email publicworks@baltimorecity.gov.
Live Baltimore Six O'Clock Sessions: Getting Ready to Use Incentives
Tuesday, September 23, 6pm-7pm, Live Baltimore, 343 N. Charles St. Prepare for our next $5,000 homebuying incentive event! Find out which incentives can be combined, how the application process works, and much more! This is a free event. Register here
Baltimore Book Festival
September 26-28, Inner Harbor. The mid-Atlantic's premier celebration of the literary arts features more than 200 celebrity and local authors, readings, workshops, children’s activities, panel discussions, cookbook demonstrations, more than 100 exhibitors and booksellers, live music, food and more. www.baltimorebookfestival.org.
Greater Lauraville Fair
Saturday, September 27, noon-6pm, Heinz Park, Harford Rd. and Parkside Drive. Bring the family for an afternoon of food, live music, arts and crafts people and fun. Proceeds to benefit the neighborhoods of Greater Lauraville. www.greaterlauravillefair.com
Charles North Community Festival
Saturday, September 27, 20th and St Paul Streets. The purpose of this festival is to raise funds to benefit community programs that are run in throughout the neighborhoods and other private organizations in the Baltimore area. Live music, crafts, silent auction, flea market, food, beer and wine. For more information call 410-627-1221.
Buying Into Baltimore: $5,000 Homebuying Incentive Event
Saturday, September 27, 8:30am-3:30pm, Baltimore Polytechnic High School, 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane. Don't miss the biggest homebuying event of the year! Meet with real estate experts and community organizations, sit in on homebuying workshops, take our famous narrated bus tour of Baltimore neighborhoods, and preview homes for sale! Attendees become eligible for $5,000 in downpayment and closing cost assistance toward the purchase of a home, anywhere in Baltimore City! Visit livebaltimore.com for complete details and to register. $10 to attend
