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Serving Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, and Howard Counties and the Cities of Annapolis and Baltimore.
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| | | | | | | Thank you for subscribing to B'More Involved! B'More Involved is designed to provide you with helpful information on transportation planning, opportunities for public involvement, and environmental justice. This important information, e-mailed out on a regular basis and now posted on Facebook and Twitter, is a great way for you to learn more, stay up-to-date on important events and news, and, of course, let you know how you can B'More Involved!
In this issue: - B'more Involved: Here's How!
- Got Big Ideas? Join the Brainstorm for Plan It 2035
- Public Comments Welcome on Transportation Improvements
- Calling All Cyclists! Bike Baltimore Winter Challenges
- Tell Your Baltimore Transportation Story
- B'more Involved: Get in on these great activities
- In The News
- Happy Holidays & Happy New Year!
| | Stay up-to-date with current news and events by joining B'more Involved on Facebook and Twitter!
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| GOT BIG IDEAS? JOIN THE BRAINSTORM FOR PLAN IT 2035 | | Public Invited to Share Their Ideas through January 6, 2011 | | As you travel in the Baltimore region, can you imagine anything that would make it easier for you to get around? Maybe you have an idea for a new transit line or station, or a bike trail, or even a wider roadway or new highway interchange.
The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board invites you - the driver, cyclist or pedestrian who uses our transportation network - to help brainstorm large capital project ideas that could be considered for Plan It 2035. There are two quick and easy ways to share your ideas:
1. Brainstorm ideas on an interactive Google Map
We are excited to share with you this new interactive tool, which allows you to quickly brainstorm your idea directly onto a Google Map. Simply find the location where you'd like to suggest a project - either by zooming in to a location or using the embedded search tool - and drop a "pin" on the map. This will open a box where you can enter some information about your proposed projects. You'll also be able to see what others are proposing by clicking on other pins.
 | | Click on the map to share your idea! |
2. Jot down your ideas on paper
The second way to share your ideas is to fill out a form and return it to the BRTB. The form, which can be downloaded using the link below, provides space to include details such as the location and type of project, the goals/objectives it meets, and how it will benefit the region. What kind of ideas can be submitted? How will this information be used?
The BRTB is looking for ideas for major projects that address goals and strategies that were developed with public input earlier this year. Smaller projects, such as sidewalk improvements, streetscapes, bike racks and road resurfacing are generally addressed in the short term. Routine maintenance is also handled separately in the long-range plan. The BRTB will consider all ideas, but is not making a commitment to model or analyze any or all of the projects ideas submitted. Rather, the BRTB does want to promote dialogue and learn about ideas that residents might have for our future transportation system.
>> Learn more or download a Project Idea Form |
| COMMENTS WELCOME ON TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS | | Federal Grants Helping to Move Many Projects Ahead | |  The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board is currently welcoming public feedback on several open public review and comment periods.
A summary of these are below, with full details on the BMC web site.  BRAC Related Improvements for Intersections Near Fort Meade & Aberdeen Proving Ground
The State Highway Administration is requesting to amend the region's Transportation Improvement Program for projects near Fort Meade and Aberdeen Proving Ground. Both projects seek to improve safety and accessibility to these military bases as they accommodate the increased number of employment as a result of BRAC. A public meeting to answer questions and accept comments will be held on Wednesday, January 5 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at BMC. Comments are welcome through Friday, January 7. >> Get more information about these BRAC projects Cleaner Greener Buses & Bus Depots  The MD Transit Administration is requesting to amend the region's Transportation Improvement Program for three projects in Baltimore City. All of these projects strive to be "Cleaner and Greener" by making improvements such as increasing energy efficiency of maintenance facilities and reducing vehicle emissions. The $15.1 million in funding for these projects comes from a number of federal grants. A public meeting to answer questions and accept comments will be held on Wednesday, January 5 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at BMC. Comments are welcome through Tuesday, January 18, 2011.
>> Find out more about these "Cleaner & Greener" projects |
| | CALLING ALL CYCLISTS! BIKE BALTIMORE WINTER CHALLENGES | | | Bike Baltimore Challenge: B'more Chilly King or Queen
 Bike Baltimore is challenging Baltimore City cyclists who brave the winter snow, ice and cold winds on their bikes to a contest to crown B'more's Chilly King or Queen! The contest will run on Foursquare to see who can bike and check-in to the most bike-related venues between January 10th and February 14th, 2011. The winner gets a $100 gift certificate to REI, a great place to buy winter weather gear. Everyone that participates will be recognized at the end of the contest.
 Gearing Up for a bigger, better Bike To Work in 2011
Several weeks ago, Bike Baltimore meet with representatives from Bike Jam and the Kinetic Sculpture Race to brainstorm some ideas on how to promote biking to work and other biking events. So far, the group has identified the following ideas, but they are looking for more great ideas for how to make Bike Month 2011 bigger and better. - Trail maintenance days
- Local races
- Neighborhood rides
- Bike maintenance workshops
Got Events? Got Ideas? Post them online at www.bikebaltimore.org/bike-month-2011
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| TELL YOUR BALTIMORE TRANSPORTATION STORY | | MD Humanities Council seeks storytellers to share their experiences navigating Baltimore | |  Do you have a tale about riding the bus in Baltimore City? Do you feel safe walking or biking around town? Are you a taxi driver, a senior citizen or a carpooling mom? Do you take the light rail or subway? Do you get stuck in traffic every morning on the JFX? Do you kayak to school or take three busses?
The Maryland Humanities Council and The Stoop Storytelling Series are looking for storytellers to tell a five-minute true personal tale about their experiences of navigating Baltimore-the good, the bad, and the ugly-for "Moving Stories: Getting Around Baltimore" on February 10 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at The Walters Art Museum. If your story is chosen, you must be available to take part in a free Stoop Stories workshop with Laura Wexler and Jessica Henkin at the Maryland Humanities Council on Sunday, February 6 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. You may have the opportunity to share your story in performance, print, or audio recording. Five performances of the stories will be presented at the Walters Art Museum on February 10, followed by small group discussions and debates on transportation issues. For more information or to submit three sentences about your idea, contact Beth Barbush at 410-685-3715 or ebarbush@mdhc.org or visit the web site below. >> Find out more about this program
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| B'MORE INVOLVED: GET IN ON THESE GREAT ACTIVITIES | | | Content of Character Award - Nominations accepted through December 28
The Baltimore County Office of Fair Practices and Community Affairs is accepting nominations for its 6th Annual "Baltimore County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. - Content of Character Awards" that commemorates Dr. Kings' birthday. This award honors Baltimore County residents (adults and youths) who strive to model exemplary character as described in Dr. Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech quote: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
www.baltimorecountymd.gov/News/releases/1105mlknomination.html  Imagine the Region Photo Contest - Enter by December 30
The Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) is inviting area residents to pull out their cameras and capture images of what they value about our region.  Photo entries will be accepted through noon on Thursday,
December 30 in the following four categories:
- Transportation
- Community
- Natural Environment; and
- Prosperity
In addition to prizes, photos may be showcased on the imagine 2060 web site and in BRTB publications. www.imagine2060.com  New Stimulus-Funded Program to Help Businesses Reduce Energy Use
Baltimore County is now offering a new Green@Work Business Benefits Program that offers free energy audits and low-interest loans to help small businesses reduce their energy use and lower their operating costs. Applications are available at: www.baltimorecountymd.gov
Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation - January 4
 Earlier this year, the MD General Assembly established a Blue Ribbon Commission on Transportation to review, evaluate and make recommendations concerning transportation funding. The next meeting is currently scheduled for Tuesday, January 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. in Annapolis, MD. www.mdot.maryland.gov/planning/BRC Baltimore City Zoning Code - Comments Welcome through February 15, 2011 Baltimore City is rewriting its Zoning Code and the maps are now online. Want to learn more? Attend an event! Want to give your opinion? Submit your comments! See: www.rewritebaltimore.org to read the proposed code, find event dates and times, and to submit your ideas! The deadline to submit comments has been extended to February, 15. |
| HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! | | 
From all of us at the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, we wish you much peace, health, and happiness in the new year. | |
|  | Monica Haines Benkhedda
Public Involvement Coordinator
410-732-0500 x1047 mhainesbenkhedda@baltometro.org | | |   
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