B'More Involved: March 14, 2008

Serving Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard Counties and the Cities of Annapolis and Baltimore. 

In This Issue:  March 14, 2008
 

DON’T PUSH YOUR LUCK—DESIGNATE A SOBER DRIVER   INPUT SOUGHT ON CARROLL COUNTY 2009 BUDGET
  BIKE TO WORK DAY IS FRIDAY, MAY 16th - REGISTER NOW!   LEARN ABOUT BICYCLE TOURING AT MARCH 24 WORKSHOP
  FREE SEMINARS ON DEVELOPMENT AND ZONING PROCESSES   "YOU CAN RIDE HARFORD TRANSIT" TRAIN THE TRAINER
 

SPRING WAKING TOUR SERIES FROM BALTIMORE HERITAGE

  NONPROFIT SECURITY GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

DON’T PUSH YOUR LUCK—DESIGNATE A SOBER DRIVER

Every year on March 17th - St. Patrick’s Day - many Americans, particularly younger adults, head out for a big night of green beer and Irish celebrations. But it is also a very dangerous night out due to drunk and buzzed drivers.

Too many people still don’t understand that alcohol, drugs and driving don’t mix. Impaired driving is no accident—nor is it a victimless crime.

In 2006, 42,642 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Out of that number, 13,470 people were killed in traffic crashes that involved at least one driver or motorcyclist with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher.

In Maryland alone, 268 people were killed in 2006 in alcohol related crashes. That's approximately 41% of the total traffic deaths in the state!

RELY ON A SOBER DRIVER, RATHER THAN YOUR LUCK!

Drunk driving is no accident. It is a serious and deadly crime that kills every 30 minutes. Whether you are just meeting a few friends at the corner pub or attending a big local parade or party, if you plan on using alcohol, here’s some things you can do to stay safe:

  • Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys; rely on a sober driver, rather than your luck!

  • If impaired - or even buzzed - don’t even think about getting behind the wheel. Ask a sober friend for a ride home; call a cab, friend or family member to come and get you, use mass transit, or stay where you are until you are sober.

  • If you think a friend is about to drive while impaired, take the keys.

  • Remember, Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. Whether you’ve had way too many or just one too many, it’s not worth the risk. Don’t ever drive impaired.

>>> For more information, visit www.StopImpairedDriving.org

BIKE TO WORK DAY IS FRIDAY, MAY 16th - REGISTER NOW!

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 will converge on locations throughout the region - including Annapolis, Bel Air, Baltimore City, Towson, and a new location in Columbia!

Registration Now Open!
The first 500 registrants will receive a free T-shirt and the first 225 registrants will receive a free T-shirt and mussett Bag.

All participants will also receive an on-the-go snack with java, and the chance to win bike accessories or the grand prize: a bicycle tour for 2 on the C&O Canal/Great Allegheny Passage from our sponsor, Adventure Cycling. You must be registered and attend a rally to win prizes.

>>> Learn more or register  for Bike to Work Day 2008!!

FREE SEMINARS ON DEVELOPMENT AND ZONING PROCESSES

Interested in development or zoning in your community?

Want to make sure your voice is heard?

Confused by the intricacies of the development process?

Attend a free evening seminar on "How to Participate in the Development and Zoning Process"

Baltimore County citizens and advocates who are interested in learning about how to participate in development and zoning decisions in their community are invited to attend a series of free informational seminars sponsored by the Baltimore County Office of Planning.

>>> Download a flyer at www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/planning

SPRING WAKING TOUR SERIES FROM BALTIMORE HERITAGE
Baltimore Heritage, Inc. is excited to present its Spring Walking Tour series. These tours will provide thought-provoking guided strolls that uncover the buildings, stories and places that weave the cultural fabric of Baltimore's historic neighborhoods.

Upcoming tour dates include:

  • The Backs of Baltimore:  Alley Houses of Patterson Park
  • Queen Anne Architecture Atop the Jones Falls Valley:  Mount Royal Terrace
  • Academic Architecture Galore:  College of Notre Dame
  • Baltimore's Lake District:  Homeland
  • From Mill Village to Planned Community Circa 1830:  Franklintown

Tours are held every spring in April and May. Call 410-332-9992 for tour availability and tickets.

>>> Visit www.baltimoreheritage.org/Walking.html for a full list of tours

INPUT SOUGHT ON CARROLL COUNTY 2009 BUDGET

The Carroll County Board of County Commissioners will start discussions on the fiscal year 2009 budget with a series of work sessions later this month.  A public hearing is also scheduled for 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13th, at Carroll Community College’s Scott Center.

More work sessions will be held after the public hearing before the budget is adopted.

 

All meetings will be open to the public, broadcast on the County’s cable channel (CCG24), and streamed from the County’s web site.

>>> Visit ccgovernment.carr.org for a full schedule

LEARN ABOUT BICYCLE TOURING AT MARCH 24 WORKSHOP

Learn what you need to know about bike touring from three speakers who have toured the United States and internationally at a Bicycle Touring Workshop on March 24.

The speakers will discuss equipment, planning, expenses, and day-to-day life on the road. The skills learned at this workshop can be applied to any tour, whether it is self-supported, supported, or a metric century.

 

Bicycle Touring Workshop

Date:

 

Monday, March 24, 2008

Time:

 

7 to 9 p.m.

Location:

 

Velocipede Bike Project
4 W. Lanvale Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

>>> Visit www.velocipedebikeproject.org for more details
 

"YOU CAN RIDE HARFORD TRANSIT" TRAIN THE TRAINER
On Wednesday, April 9, the Harford County Department of Community Services will sponsor a Train the Trainer Travel Training Curriculum on Harford Transit Services.  

Attendees will be trained to help their clients use the Harford Transit system, including reading schedules and preparing individualized itineraries. All program materials will be available on CD and attendees will receive a copy of the “You Can Ride ... Harford Transit” video.

You Can Ride. . .Harford Transit Train the Trainer Session

Date:

 

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Time:

 

9:30 a.m. to 12 noon

Location:

 

Historic “Bel Air Colored High School”

205 Hays Street

Bel Air, MD

For more information and to reserve a place at the workshop, please contact Sharon Grzanka at 410-638-3373 or at disability@harfordcountymd.gov.

NONPROFIT SECURITY GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE

Nonprofit organizations in the Baltimore region may now apply for grants to make their high-risk facilities more secure against terrorist attacks.

The Baltimore Urban Area Work Group (UAWG) is accepting applications for both the Baltimore Region Critical Infrastructure Grant Program and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

The UAWG will award a total of $634,400 to fund enhancements that are over and above the baseline security provided in the organization’s operating budget. The DHS grant program will provide a total of $15 million to high-risk nonprofit organizations throughout the U.S.

 

>>> Learn more about the grant program at www.baltometro.org

 

Engaging the Baltimore Metropolitan Region in
transportation planning, equity, and environmental justice.

Baltimore Metropolitan Council

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