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BIKE TO WORK DAY REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

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APPLY TODAY: COMCAST NEIGHBORHOOD GRANT PROGRAM

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OPEN FOR REVIEW:  DRAFT 2009 PLANNING WORK PROGRAM

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STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE MD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

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MTA BUS ROUTE CHANGES NOW IN EFFECT

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UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS IN BALTIMORE CITY

Bike to Work Day 2008, sponsored by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, will be celebrated in the Baltimore region and across the nation on Friday, May 16, 2008.

Between 7 and 8:30 a.m. on May 16, bicycle commuters throughout the Baltimore region converged on five locations:

• Anne Arundel Co/Annapolis - City Dock, Annapolis

• Baltimore City - War Memorial Plaza at City Hall

• Baltimore County - Courthouse Square

• Harford County - Government Center

• Howard County - Downtown Columbia

Every year, the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board develops a work program for the coming fiscal year.

This program, called the UPWP - Unified Planning Work Program for Transportation Planning, identifies activities to be completed by staff of the BMC on behalf of the BRTB as well as local and state agency activities between July 1, 2008, and June 30, 2009.

The UPWP activities focus on issues such as:

• Bicycle and pedestrian access and safety

• Environmental planning for air and water quality

Each year, the Maryland General Assembly meets for 90 days in Annapolis to act on 2,000 or more bills including the State's annual budget.

The 2008 MD General Assembly session began on January 9 and will run through April 7, 2008. During the session, BMC publishes a weekly report on the status of transportation, air quality and community development related legislation introduced in the general assembly.

>>> View the latest report or sign up to receive weekly updates

Effective February 17, 2008 MTA will implement route modifications to 10 local bus lines throughout the Baltimore Region. In addition, a new line, the No. 6, will be initiated and the M-9 will be replaced with the Nos. 56 and 59 lines.

New timetables will be issued for the following local bus line #'s: 3, 11, 16, 27, 36, 55, 61, 77, and 98 (Hampden Shuttle).

Also, on this date, the Light Rail Yellow Line (Timonium to Cromwell Station/Glen Burnie) will begin making all weekday off-peak and weekend/holiday trips to Hunt Valley.

In addition, new timetables will be issued on the following lines to reflect schedule changes effective February 17, 2008:  local bus lines #'s: 5, 7, 10, 17, 20, 23, 35 and Light Rail.

The new timetables are now available on the MTA web site and will soon be available at MTA’s Downtown Transit Store and at regular timetable distribution points. Riders can also request that timetables be mailed to them by calling 410-539-5000.

>>> Visit www.mtamaryland.com to view the new schedule

Does your community dream of organizing a special event such as a parade, festival or block party for neighbors and friends? Do you need extra money to make the event a reality?

Comcast Neighborhood Program provides grants in amounts up to $1000.

The funds are available to Baltimore City neighborhood associations and community based, nonprofit organizations in need of extra money to fund activities such as festivals, fundraisers, street fairs and concerts.

>>> Learn more about the program and how to apply

"Neighbors Helping Neighbors" is a program designed by the Baltimore County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to teach ordinary citizens how to get through the first 72 hours after a disaster.

The next NHN program begins March 11, 2008 at 7 p.m. at the Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Co.  The program consists of five classes: Natural Disasters and Technological Hazards, Fire Safety and Extinguishers, Crime Prevention and Awareness, CPR/First Aid and Volunteer Opportunities.

Register online using the link below or call 410-887-5996. 

>>> Learn more or register at www.baltimorecountymd.gov/go/emergency

Mayor Sheila Dixon’s Neighborhood Conversation
February 20, 2008 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Ben Franklin Middle School
1201 Cambria Street, Baltimore, MD 21205
Registration opens at 5:30 p.m.

Join the first Neighborhood Conversation of 2008 with Mayor Sheila Dixon and members of her Cabinet. Share your thoughts and concerns about your neighborhood. Representatives from city agencies will provide information and address your specific concerns. This meeting is open to residents throughout Baltimore City.

Alley Gating and Greening Workshop
On Thursday, February 21, 2008, citizens of Baltimore City will have an opportunity to find out more information about the city’s policy on greening and gating alleys within residential communities. Kate Herrod from Community Greens will discuss the concept of “Shared Parks in Urban Blocks.”

The program begins at 6 p.m. and will be held at the Parks & People Foundation’s offices. For more information, e-mail info@parksandpeople.org.
 

TransForm Baltimore: The Zoning Code Rewrite
The City of Baltimore Department of Planning invites you to a Community Open House to learn more about TransForm Baltimore: The Zoning Code Rewrite, the ongoing process, and how you can get involved to help craft a vision for the future development of Baltimore City.

Upcoming TransForm Baltimore Community Open Houses are:

Saturday, February 16
Southeast Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Ave., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Tuesday, February 26
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, 1400 W. Cold Spring Lane, 6 to 8 p.m.

For more information, call 410-396-PLAN or plan@baltimorecity.gov.