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

MAY IS CLEAN COMMUTE MONTH!

Ah, May! It’s the time when the days become noticeably longer and flowers bloom. It’s also the month when both temperatures and pollution levels rise throughout the Baltimore region. A lot of that pollution—as much as one third—comes from tailpipe emissions. That’s why May is Clean Commute Month, a time for all of us to consider how our transportation choices affect everyone else.

The Baltimore Metropolitan Council and the Clean Commute Partnership are asking citizens to explore transportation options and try at least one alternative to driving alone. Clean Commute options include riding transit, biking, teleworking, and carpooling.

Look for our Clean Commute Month booth at one of these great events!

• Baltimore Flower Mart on Friday, May 4th

• Baltimore Ecofest on Saturday, May 5th

• Towsontown Festival on Saturday, May 5th and Sunday, May 6th

• Herb Festival at Piney Run Park on Saturday, May 12th

BIKE TO WORK DAY IS MAY 18 - STILL TIME TO REGISTER!

Between 7:00 and 8:30 a.m. on Friday, May 18, bicycle commuters throughout the Baltimore region will converge on four locations:

• War Memorial Plaza, Baltimore

• City Dock, Annapolis

• County Office Building, Bel Air

• Courthouse Square, Towson

Registered participants will receive an event t-shirt, an on-the-go snack with java, and the chance to win bike accessories.

Bike to Work Day promotes a “clean commute” and kicks off Clean Commute Month in the Baltimore region. May is the beginning of the ground-level ozone season, when we hear about Code Red and Orange Ozone Action Days. On those days, the air is dangerous to breathe – especially for the young and for the elderly. Single occupancy vehicles produce 20% of the dangerous ozone-emission pollution in the Baltimore area. Bike commuting can improve the air we breathe. >>> Register NOW! at www.bike2workcentralmd.com

OPEN FOR PUBLIC REVIEW: FIRST DRAFT 2008-2012 TIP

The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board has released a first draft list of projects submitted for the FY 2008-2012 Transportation Improvement Program. The TIP is a list of transportation priorities and projects that are requesting federal funding over the next 5 years.

Examples of projects listed in this database include:

• Road resurfacing and bridge repairs, rehabilitation, and painting
• Pedestrian overpasses near schools and the building of pedestrian/bicycle trails
• Evaluation of current traffic command and control systems and the installation of new traffic signal detection systems
• Funding for the New Freedom and Job Access and Reverse Commute Programs, assisting people with disabilities, seniors, and low-income individuals access to employment and other opportunities.

The full list of proposed projects can be viewed in our online database at: http://bmc.baltometro.org/tips_web. Visitors to the web site can review draft projects near their home or in the region. Included with the project descriptions are projected costs and a map showing the location of the project, if appropriate.

Public Review and Comment A public review period will be held from April 27 to May 29, 2007. The public is invited to review and comment on the proposed projects.  The activities funded by the BRTB are supported primarily through federal dollars. Public participation is extremely beneficial in making sound decisions. Transportation affects most of us every single day, so public input is crucial. The public is encouraged to visit the TIP database at http://bmc.baltometro.org/tips_web and submit comments by Tuesday, May 29, 2007.

>>> Learn more about the First Draft 2008-2012 TIP or submit a comment

BALTIMORE COUNTY SEEKS COMMENT ON COMMUNITIES PLAN

County Seeks Comment on Plans to Strengthen, Stabilize Communities  - The Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation invites the public to comment on a draft action plan that discusses revitalization priorities, housing, funding for non-profit organizations and other important initiatives to stabilize and enhance communities.

Priority services that would be funded under the plan include: after school programs, literacy education, fair housing efforts, aid to the homeless, domestic violence prevention and counseling to address substance abuse and mental health. Additional priorities include capital projects to assist people with disabilities.

The agency will hold a public hearing on its Annual Action Plan for Fiscal 2008 at 6:30 p.m. May 8, 2007, in the Drumcastle Government Center, Anneslie Conference Room, 6401 York Road, Baltimore, MD, 21212. Fiscal Year 2008 begins on July 1, 2007.

The entire draft plan can be viewed online and is also available at County public libraries. Written comments may be sent to Mary Harvey, Office of Community Conservation, 6401 York Road, 2nd floor, Baltimore MD, 21212. The county will accept comments on the plan through May 14. The plan will be submitted to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development by May 17.

>>> View the draft FY08 Annual Action Plan at www.baltimorecountymd.gov
 

Bikes would be housed at the Harbormaster's office and would be available, at no cost, to residents and visitors alike interested in traveling the city by bicycle.

Currently, the City is seeking motivated volunteers who would be willing to participate in the loan program's trial run. Volunteers are needed to commit for the duration of the trial and are asked to be available once a week, for a few hours each time throughout the summer months.

For more information on volunteering for the new bike loaner program, contact 410-263-7964 X107.

>>> Learn more about Free Wheelin' Annapolis and how to donate or volunteer

TRANSPORTATION ADVOCATES MEETING ON MAY 8

The featured topic for the May meeting will be access to transportation for people with disabilities.  A panel discussion will focus on the status of local transportation serving people with disabilities. Susan Askew of The Arc; Joyce Lehrer, Howard County Office on Disabilities and Sharon Smith, Corridor Transportation Corp. will present and lead the discussion.

Open to all. Call 410-203-1178 for more information.

CARROLL COUNTY HOSTS FREE WORKSHOP ON GRASSCYCLING

The Carroll County Cooperative Extension, Carroll County Recycling Office and the Carroll County Master Gardeners University of Maryland Cooperative Extension are inviting County residents to a free workshop on Backyard Composting and Grasscycling. The workshop is designed to educate County citizens on an environmentally and economically sound approach to managing yard trim through backyard composting and grasscycling.

Pre-registration is required. To register, e-mail hortman@umd.edu or call 410-386-2760.  For more information on waste prevention, reuse, recycling, and yard trim management, call the Carroll County Recycling Office at 410-386-2633.

VISIT THE WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES EXPO MAY 18-20

The 2007 World Of Possibilities Disabilities Expo will be held from Friday, May 18 through Sunday, May 20, 2007. This expo is the largest and most anticipated disabilities event in the Mid-Atlantic Region which includes three full days of information and events for caregivers, children and adults with disabilities, senior citizens, baby boomers, healthcare providers, and educators!

This years expo features:

• Free Shuttle! MTA will be offering free, round-trip, continuous shuttle services from the Timonium Light Rail Stop to the door of the Expo. Free parking on site.

• Free physicals for Special Olympics Athletes on Saturday at the Special Olympics Medfest Pavillion.

• Workshops, presentations, and displays by local agencies, support groups and area business and service providers.

• National and Statewide meetings.

• Free wheelchair rentals and free wheel repair services!

• Entertainment, celebrities, special guests, mascots, strolling entertainers, face painting and carnival games for the children and more!

>>> Visit www.caringcommunities.org for more information and free expo passes

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

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To receive this newsletter on a regular basis or to request an item be included in a future issue of B'More Involved, please contact Monica Haines at 410-732-0500 x1047 or mhaines@baltometro.org.