Two events coming up in Federal Hill this week:

Event # 1:
Federal Hill Neighborhood Tree Lighting and Decorating
Federal Hill Park
December 12th at 6:30

Kids please bring a handmade ornament to decorate the tree!
Hot Chocolate and cookies for the kids
Hot Mulled Wine for the grownups
Carolers will lead the singing
Join the Carolers afterwards to the Business District for more entertainment and shopping!

Event # 2:
"Moonlight Madness"
Holiday Shopping Extravaganza in Baltimore's "Best Shopping Neighborhood"
Friday, Dec. 12 - 8pm to midnight

Shop for everyone on your list!
* Progressive discounts at over 30 shops
* FREE gift wrapping for your Federal Hill purchases at Main Street (42 E. Cross)
* Free refreshments * Strolling carolers

RNA's home, Salem Lutheran, is gearing up for for Winter Wonderland, and you're invited! Festival of trees, crafts, games, and fun with Santa. Grill selections and delicious dinners!

Fri., Dec. 5, 4-8 PM
Sat., Dec. 6, noon-8 PM
Sun., Dec. 7, noon-4 PM.

Salem Lutheran Church, 1530 Battery Avenue at E. Randall on Riverside Park.

For more information visit our website
www.salemsouthbaltimore.org

The next RNA meeting will be Monday, November 24th at 7pm

6:30 social
7:00 meeting - Baltimore City Recreation & Parks will discuss the Riverside Park Master Plan & War of 1812 preparations

Committee updates
Open forum

As always, meetings will be at Salem Lutheran Church on the corner of Randall St. & Battery Ave. Enter through the Battery Ave entrance.

Hope to see you there!

A group of neighbors is raising money for BARCS's Franky Fund, which helps animals that come to the shelter sick or injured.

The fundraiser is pet photos with Santa, and you can get your pet’s photo taken at:

LOCATION: Leone Riverside Park
THEME: South Baltimore Kitsch, Hon!
DATE: Saturday, November 22, 2008
TIME: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

or

LOCATION: Federal Hill Park
THEME: Traditional Christmas
DATE: Saturday, December 6, 2008
TIME: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

For details, got to: http://tinyurl.com/santapetphotos

The next RNA meeting will be Monday, October 27th at 7pm

6:30 social - Food from Captain Larrys
7:00 meeting - A detailed discussion of parking issues will be the focus of this month's meeting. Please come prepared to discuss ideas and possible solutions.

Deputy Mayor Chris Thomascutty will stop by to briefly update us on the upcoming slots vote.
Committee updates
Open forum

As always, meetings will be at Salem Lutheran Church on the corner of Randall St. & Battery Ave. Enter through the Battery Ave entrance.

Hope to see you there!

It’s that time of year again when the leaves fall off of the trees.

If you are interested in organizing a block leaf cleanup and need equipment, the Riverside Neighborhood Association/Friends of Riverside Park have rakes, shovels, brooms, and leaf bags available for residents to borrow to clean up areas in front of their homes and on their block. (Note: the leaf bags are paper and not good for wet leaves)

Sign up at the community meeting, the next Riverside park cleanup (Nov 1.), or contact Jackson at jkf42@yahoo.com

To anyone interested in finding out more about potential slot machines - our sister organization, Federal Hill Neighborhood Association is holding a forum on October 21

Slots Both Sides of the Coin
Important Community Forum - Sponsored by the Federal Hill Neighborhood Association

Tuesday October 21, 2008
7:00pm
Christ Lutheran Church Center
701 S. Charles Street
Plentiful, free off-street parking available

Times are Tough
A $300 million dollar annual budget shortfall has the Governor threatening cuts in state funding for critical health care and education programs.
The Mayor and City Council President warn of service cut backs and employee furloughs citywide. They suspended O'Malley's plan to reduce property taxes by 2.5 cents per $100 in assessed value.

And every home owner in South Baltimore will see their property tax assessments re-set this December (are the really likely to do down?)

Are Slots revenues truly the answer?

The Casino Measure (Maryland Question 2) will appear on the November 4, 2008 ballot. It asks voters to approve the placement of 15,000 slot machines at five locations throughout the state including one right here in our neighborhood.

The outcome of this vote will inevitably have a direct impact on the value of homes and businesses in Federal Hill.

Joining us for a frank discussion on Tuesday are:

Former State Budget Secretary Frederick W. Puddester, the Chairman of For Maryland For Our Future, a pro-slots ballot committee
and
Adam W. Meisner - Chairman of Stop Slots Maryland

Take advantage of this convenient opportunity to get critical information and cast a well-informed vote on the most important and impactful decision for our neighborhood that we have been confronted with in a very long time.

For those who do not already know, School 33 is part of the "Open Studio" Tour this weekend. This is a great opportunity for people to check out the galleries in the 'hood and support our little gem of a school.

Open Studio Tour Kick Off Reception and Block PartyFriday, October 17th 5-8pm at School 33 (at 1427 Light Street)

The kick off will be followed by Exhibitions that will be open from 12 - 5pm on Saturday and Sunday.

School 33 Art Center
www.school33.org
1427 Light St
Baltimore, MD 21230
(410) 396-4641

The Citywide Fall Cleanup Day, known as the "Fall Harvest Cleaning & Greening" will be this Saturday, October 18th.

Residents should use this day to cleanup the areas around their homes - pickup trash & debris, pull weeds etc. Or, if you know of an area that needs attention, maybe around the corner from you, up the block etc. take the time Saturday to clean those areas.

We will also have a group meeting at 9am at the Riverside Park gazebo – coffee and donuts for the early birds!

Please try to join the group in the park or tackle your own area. There are many areas in the neighborhood that need attention!

The 8th Annual Under Armour/Baltimore Marathon Running Festival

The Baltimore City Department of Transportation today announced temporary street closures and parking restrictions in effect for the 8th Annual Under Armour/Baltimore Marathon on Saturday, October 11, 2008. The 26 mile marathon will begin at 8:00 a.m. from Russell and Camden Streets. In conjunction with the marathon and the CareFirst/ Blue Cross/Blue Shield Half-Marathon, the United Way 5K Run will also be held along with the Legg Mason Team Relay and the Kids Fun Run. Approximately 14, 000 runners are expected to participate in this year’s events.

The following streets in our area will be closed on Saturday, October 11, 2008:
Key Highway from Cross Street to Light Street - 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m
Key Hwy. - from Light St. to Lawrence St. to Fort Ave. – 7:35 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Fort Ave. - from Fort Ave. (around Fort) and back to Lawrence Street – 7:40 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Key Hwy. - from Lawrence St. to Light St. – 8:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Come out and cheer the runners on!