DBFA Events |
Past DBFA Events Archive
Take the kids out to the ballgame! Come celebrate summer's approach with a Baltimore tradition and enjoy the game with fellow downtown families in a section reserved especially for us.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
1:35 p.m.
Baltimore Orioles vs. Detroit Tigers
Lower Reserve Section
$15 per ticket (Children three and under do not need a ticket as long as they are seated on their parent's lap.)
Seats are under cover, providing protection from rain and sun, and are near the Kids' Zone at Gate C, which has a children's play area and concession stand with children's meals. Parents are also welcome to come enjoy the game without the kids.
Tickets will be mailed to the address entered on the form below.
A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will be going toward DBFA's mission of improving, supporting, and advocating for family life downtown.
Questions? info@dbfam.org.
DBFA invites you to celebrate our founding families and partners. This fabulous event is for those families and organizations who have supported DBFA at a significant financial level during our crucial start-up phase. Some special city officials and guests will be joining us for the celebration.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Maryland Science Center
Harbor Terrace
601 Light Street
Light bites and libations
Silent auction
RSVP by May 15, 2009 to soiree@dbfam.org
Founding Family and Partner memberships are available until May 15. If you are not yet a member of DBFA, or to augment your current membership to reach the $500 level, click here now and plan to join us at this event!
Do you love peeking into a neighbor's house? Do you want to see how others have renovated and decorated their home? Do you want to be inspired by other families who have created imaginative spaces for their kids?
Take a stroll through historic Federal Hill during the first annual Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance House Tour featuring the best kids' rooms, nurseries, and play spaces.
The House Tour is DBFA's foremost annual fundraiser. 100% of the proceeds from the House Tour ticket sales will be going toward DBFA's mission of improving, supporting, and advocating for family life downtown.
This event is possible only as a result of the generous owners of these homes, loyal DBFA partners and sponsors, and our dedicated volunteers. We hope you will plan to join us as we share how modern families are raising children in one of Baltimore's premiere historic urban neighborhoods.
The DBFA House Tour will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The location of the House Tour guest assistance table where you can pick up the program and buy tickets the day of is Spoons Coffee Cafe (24 E. Cross Street).
FREE off-street parking is available for house tour guests and volunteers between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at Digital Harbor High School (1100 Covington Street) and Martini Lutheran Church (100 W. Henrietta Street).
Questions? housetour@dbfam.org.
Join fellow new and expecting parents who live downtown for food and drinks at the Messiah Lutheran Church on Canton Square.
This gathering offers the opportunity to meet other new and expecting parents who live downtown, ask questions and share advice with seasoned moms, form playgroups, and make new friends for yourself and your baby. RSVP to mesch3504@yahoo.com or just stop by!
There will also be a brief informational session about DBFA's New Mom's Support Group. DBFA and Messiah Church are kicking off a new 9 week course for first time moms and their infants in Southeast Baltimore starting May 5th. The weekly group discussion will be led by Facilitator Margie Kay, RN, a Certified Childbirth Educator and Board Certified Lactation Consultant. The sessions will cover topics related to various health and social aspects of new motherhood, such as breastfeeding; infant feeding and sleeping; developmental stages of infants; maternal health; returning to work; and more. The sessions also provide an excellent way to connect with other mothers in your neighborhood with babies the same age.
6-8 p.m.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Messiah Lutheran Church on Canton Square
Questions? mesch3504@yahoo.com
Please join us for our 2nd Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Patterson Park hosted by the Downtown
Baltimore Family Alliance in partnership with the Friends of Patterson Park.
- Saturday, April 4, 2009
- 10 a.m. to noon
- Patterson Park playground (located across from Eastern Avenue and Milton Street)
- For ages birth to 10-years old, accompanied by a parent
Bring your Easter Basket and your camera, and enjoy:
The event will occur despite cold weather or snow. Rain Date: April 11, 10 a.m. This is a candy-free and peanut-free event.
This wonderful family event is FREE thanks to the generous support of our sponsors:
Questions? egghunt@dbfam.org.
Do you want to feel more confident in your ability to handle medical
emergencies with your infant or child?
The Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance has arranged for a Red Cross
Certification Training Course in Infant and Child CPR and First Aid.
The course aims to train lay
responders to recognize and care for life-threatening respiratory or
cardiac
emergencies in infants and children, to help sustain life in an emergency,
and minimize the consequences of injury or sudden illness until
medical
help
arrives. The format of the course includes lecture, video, and hands-on
practice with mannequins.
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. AND Saturday,
March 21, 2009 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (9.5 hours total including breaks)
Location: Wolfe Street Academy, 245 S. Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21231
Cost: The course is open to anyone who is interested—parents, expecting parents, nannies, family members; are all welcome! Limited to 20
participants. The cost is:
- $75 per person for DBFA members
- $85 per person for nonmembers.
- $95 to become a DBFA member and pay for the course
The cost covers the instruction in both Infant and Child CPR (one
certification) and First Aid (another certification). Full payment
must be received by February 25, 2009 to ensure participation.
Please note: Sign up only if you can attend both dates. If you can not
attend one of the dates, unfortunately, there will be no refund. Also, if
you can not attend both dates, you will not receive the certifications.
Each individual much register and pay separately, per Red Cross rules
(even if both partners of a couple want to attend).
This event was not held because the mission to guarantee full funding for Baltimore City
Schools was achieved prior to the event.
Let's speak out and ensure progress for our city and our schools! Join DBFA as we oppose changing the law in a way that would reduce education funding for Baltimore City long-term. The goal is to get 3,000 attendees.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
6:30–7:30 p.m.
Lawyer's Mall
Maryland State House
100 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401
Children welcome. Parking: street parking often available at night, several parking garages in the area.
Questions? erin@dbfam.org
This event was not held because the mission to guarantee full funding for Baltimore City
Schools was achieved prior to the event.
Now is the time to take action to let the governor and state delegation know how important funding for education in Baltimore City is!
Join fellow parents who care about this important issue at the DBFA Lobbying Night.
Monday, February 23, 2009
6–8 p.m.
Lowe House Office Building
6 Bladen Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
Meet in the Baltimore City Delegation Room. Infants and older children welcome. (toddlers and preschoolers may be difficult to manage under the circumstances)
Parking: street parking usually available; also there are two adjacent parking garages.
All are welcome: no special skills or previous knowledge necessary.
Questions? erin@dbfam.org
Calling all Guys—it's YOUR turn!
Join us for a Guys' Night Out Poker Tournament to benefit DBFA at
The Gin Mill in Canton on
Tuesday, February 10th at 7 p.m.
- Silent Auction held during tournament—just in time for Valentine's Day!
- Limited to 50 participants
- Appetizers and Non-Alcoholic Drinks are on the House
- Exclusive Drink Specials for Tournament Participants
- Non-cash Prizes Awarded
DBFA members: $20, non-members: $25.
Fill out the form below to register. Join
DBFA and then register for the tournament at the member price right after joining.
The Gin Mill is located at 2300
Boston Street in Canton. Questions? info@dbfam.org
*Keeping it above board: Tournament setup has been verified as legal with the Baltimore City
Police Department.
The Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance presents the Streetlite Christian Fellowship
1121 Riverside Avenue, Federal Hill
Free parking available at
Digital Harbor High School
1100 Covington Street, Federal Hill
This seminar is FREE. Donations welcome. We will raffle off a copy of the Sleep Lady’s book.
No childcare provided. Infants who will stay with the parent are welcome to attend.
Questions? parentseminar@dbfam.org.
RSVP using the form below but feel free to join us last minute as well.
Join fellow new and expecting parents who live downtown for food and drinks at the home of
Judy and Brendan O'Brien.
Come meet the parents of your child's future playmates. Receive advice
from seasoned parents on the best baby products, daycares, sleep training, etc.
7:30-9:30 p.m.
Thursday, January 29, 2008
Home of Judy and Brendan O'Brien
122 W. Montgomery Street, Otterbein
Free parking available at the Martini Lutheran Church, 100 W. Henrietta Street
Questions? info@dbfam.org
Take a night off of cooking and go to one of Canton's favorite corner restaurants for a good
cause. Yellow Dog Tavern will be hosting the next DBFA Family Night on January 21st.
Besides enjoying some great food with your downtown neighbors, a $50 gift-card will be
raffled off to one lucky winner and Yellow Dog Tavern will be graciously donating 10%
of all sales from the event and all proceeds of the raffle to the DBFA.
Yellow Dog Tavern is located at 700 S. Potomac Street in Canton. Reservations are highly
recommended. Please contact Yellow Dog for reservations at either
yellowdogtavern@gmail.com or 410-342-0280.
Save up your weekend shopping and support a great cause!
Shop Whole Foods Market—Harbor East on Wednesday, January 14, 2009 and support the nonprofit Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance (DBFA)
This coming Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Whole Foods will be devoting 5% of the day's net sales to DBFA, which focuses on initiatives to improve the quality of life for families and residents in downtown Baltimore neighborhoods.
Stock up for the week. Come for lunch. No purchase is too small to make a difference!
DBFA will be on hand at the store to answer questions about our events and programs.
Whole Foods will also be hosting tours geared specifically for families on all-natural, budget-friendly shopping for your entire family at 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Join us for a 30-minute tour of Whole Foods Market—Harbor East! Whole Foods Market is the world's leading retailer of natural and organic foods. Learn how to shop for all natural foods on a budget, while sampling tasty foods along the way. Please RSVP for the tour at either 10 a.m. or 5 p.m. to Beth.Laverick@wholefoods.com. All participants will receive a Sheryl Crow reusable bag filled with samples at the end of conclusion of the tour.
- Produce Department—Learn the difference between organic and conventional produce and sample fruit and vegetables of the rainbow.
- Seafood Department—Learn about sustainable seafood and fish from all around the world. Sample Yukon River salmon candy and spiced cooked shrimp.
- Meat Department—Learn about our hormone and antibiotic free meat. Sample all natural turkey gobblers with delicious barbecue sauce.
- Grocery—Learn about our less processed grocery products. Sample our kid friendly and adult approved all natural snacks.
- Specialty Department—Learn about cheeses from around the world and why our cheese is the freshest around. Sample gouda and gruyere cheese.
- Prepared Foods Department—Learn about our all natural food prepared foods selections. Great for a quick dinner or entertaining! Sample all natural deli meat and cheese roll ups and tasty grown up side dishes.
- Bakery Department—Learn about our delicious all natural and organic breads and baked goods. Sample our favorite Seeduction bread with butter and gourmet miniature tarts.
- Whole Body Department—Learn about our all natural body care and supplements. Sample Kids and Adult Emergen-C multi-vitamin packets. Great for boosting your immune system during the winter months!
We hope to see you on Wednesday, January 14, 2009!
Whole Foods Market—Harbor East
1001 Fleet Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
410-528-1640
Give back this holiday season by providing gifts for a downtown family in need. These economic times have hit many families hard, with some struggling to provide adequate food and purchasing holiday gifts not a possibility. Sign up to receive a wish list from a local family. Purchase one gift for each child in the family and deliver to a downtown location before the holidays. This is a wonderful activity to share with your children.
For 2008, DBFA is partnering with Wolfe Street Academy to provide holiday
gifts to families at their school. Wolfe Street Academy is a Pre[endash]K to 5 public school located in Upper Fells Point. 92% of students at the school qualify
for free or reduced price lunch (an indicator of poverty), and 72% fall into
the state's category of limited English proficiency. As a school, Wolfe
Street Academy has made tremendous strides over recent years in student achievement, meeting every state standard for several years running. In spite
of long working hours faced by some parents and the stressors of a lack of
work endured by others, Wolfe Street Academy parents show a high level of involvement in the school and interest in their children's education. Although
the school works actively to assist families, many live with issues of food
and clothing scarcity, as well as overcrowded housing.
Here's how it works:
- Fill out the form below.
- By November 15, you will receive a wish list via e-mail from a local family in need. It will include details on each child's age, gender, clothing size, and a list of items the child might like (as indicated by the parent).
- Purchase one gift for each child in the family. You may purchase a gift on the wish list or something else that is age-appropriate for each child. You are welcome to purchase additional gifts for each child and/or to provide non-perishable food items for the family, but there is no expectation to do so.
aMuse Toys and Ladybugs & Fireflies in Federal Hill are offering a 15% discount on gifts purchased as part of this program. Bring in the family's wish list to qualify for this discount.
- Deliver your items (unwrapped) to Wolfe Street Academy (245 S. Wolfe St. at Gough St, Baltimore, MD 21231) on Friday, December 12 between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. or on Saturday, December 13 between 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Families will pick up your gifts on Saturday, December 13 between 12 p.m. and 3 p.m.
- If the drop-off dates and times absolutely do not work for you, please contact us at adoptafamily@dbfam.org about making alternative arrangements to deliver your gifts. All gifts must be received by 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 13.
DBFA will be expanding this program in future years, based on the availability of adopting families. If you know of a school or organization that would like to partner with us, please contact us at adoptafamily@dbfam.org.
Questions? adoptafamily@dbfam.org
Please join fellow downtown families on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Baltimore Pho (pronounced fuh) for an evening of dinner and fun!
The friendly faces of the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance will be shaking things up as your bartenders for the evening at Baltimore Pho, as you and your family enjoy a Vietnamese fusion dinner at Baltimore's newest family-friendly restaurant. A $50 gift-card, DBFA t-shirt, and totebag will be raffled off to one lucky winner and Baltimore Pho will be graciously donating 10% of all sales from the event and all proceeds
of the raffle to the DBFA.
Baltimore Pho is located at 1114 Hollins Street in Hollins Market, Baltimore MD 21223.
"From start to finish, dining at Baltimore Pho is a taste explosion of sweet and spicy, sometimes in the same bite. Sound tempting? It
is." - Molly V. Strzelecki, Baltimore Metromix 5/07/08
Check out the amazing review from The Baltimore Sun that Baltimore Pho received.
“Our family loves living in the City, but WHERE are we going to send our kids to school?”
Is this a familiar question in your house? If so, the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance and
the Baltimore City Public Schools are teaming up to try and help your family with
answering this important question.
On October 18 from 9 a.m. to noon, we will be hosting our first annual school fair—“Keeping Education Local: Early
Childhood and Public School Options for Downtown Baltimore Families” at Digital Harbor High School, 1100 Covington Street, Federal Hill (21230).
The fair will feature exhibitors from various local, walkable public school options (elementary to high school) and early childhood centers (pre-schools and daycares) available to families residing in downtown Baltimore neighborhoods. The fair will also include three informational sessions that will run concurrently with the fair on important topics such as choosing a school for your child, supporting your child once they are in school, and identifying gifted and talented programs and after-school options in Baltimore City.
Informational Sessions: 10:15–11:30 a.m. (The three informational sessions will run concurrently. Please choose one.)
Track 1: (Classroom A) This session will provide helpful tips for families to use in selecting the right school for their child—at the preschool, elementary, middle, and high school levels. It will also describe the different application and enrollment processes for the public schools in Baltimore.
Presenters: Jonathan T. Brice, Executive Director of Student Support, Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools); Tara Bartosz, Counselor, LOCATE: Child Care; Samantha Bell, Director of Admissions, Baltimore Freedom Academy
Track 2: (Classroom B) This session will discuss how families can create a supportive learning environment at home (how to help with homework, using museums and trips to encourage additional learning, etc.) and how they can be involved while their child is in school (membership in the parent group, helping in the classroom, etc.). It will also address the various testing implements (MSA and HSA) used in the public schools and how those scores can inform families about their child’s progress and the overall quality of the school’s academics.
Presenters: Brenda Thomas, Maryland Director of Partnership Program Development, National Network of Partnership Schools; Dr. James Gresham, Division of Research, Evaluation, Assessment and Accountability, Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools)
Track 3: (Classroom C)
This session will discuss what families should look for in identifying quality after-school programming for their children and some options they may have in Baltimore. It will also address gifted and talented programs in Baltimore.
Presenters:
Neetu Dhawan-Gray, Senior Program Manager, Johns Hopkins Center for Gifted and Talented Youth; Larry Friend, Visual and Performing Arts Specialist, Office of Enrichment, Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools); Lori Carter, Professional Development Coordinator, After School Institute
Confirmed School Fair Attendees:
Early Childhood/Preschool
The Baltimore Montessori
Downtown Baltimore Child Care, Inc.
PACT Program—Parents and Children Together
Patterson Park Montessori
Board of Child Care’s Tide Point Early Education Center
Vera Shank Preschool
Elementary Schools
Baltimore Montessori Public Charter School
Southwest Baltimore Charter School
Thomas Johnson Elementary School
Wolfe Street Academy
Elementary/Middle Schools
East Baltimore Community School
Francis Scott Key Technology Magnet School
Federal Hill Preparatory School #45
Hampstead Hill Academy
Patterson Park Public Charter School
Middle Schools
The Crossroads School
Middle/High Schools
Baltimore Freedom Academy
High Schools
Baltimore City College
Baltimore School for the Arts
Digital Harbor High School
Baltimore Polytechnic Institute
Western High School
Other Resources
Baltimore City Public Schools (City Schools)
The Baltimore Scholars Program
CollegeBound Foundation
College Savings Plans of Maryland
The Ingenuity Project
Johns Hopkins Center for Gifted and Talented Youth
LOCATE: Child Care
The Maryland Charter School Network
Parents & Community Advisory Board, Baltimore City Public Schools
Contact: If you have questions or suggestions about how to make this event meaningful for you, please
don’t hesitate to contact Christina Moylan, DBFA's Education Events Chair at schoolfair@dbfam.org
or 410-354-6961.
“See what happens when fed-up moms start a grass-roots revolution!” The Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance is sponsoring a community discussion following the film Two Angry Moms at the Baltimore Women's Film Festival. Come watch the film and hear about what's wrong with school lunches today and how one mom was able to make dramatic changes in her school district. Afterward, participate in a live discussion with filmmaker Amy Kalafa and Baltimore City's new School Chef, Tony Geraci. Chef Geraci's innovative school food program incorporating fresh, locally grown food has been featured in Gourmet magazine and has now been brought to Baltimore City schools.
The film screening and discussion will take place at the Baltimore Women's Film Festival on October 25th at 11 a.m. at the
Landmark Theatre in Harbor East (645 S. President St).
New members who join DBFA between now and October 18 will receive a FREE ticket to the film and discussion, for pickup at the DBFA School Fair on October 18 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m., while supplies last. Join online, by mail, or in-person at the Harbor Harvest Festival or School Fair.
Tickets to the screening are $10; VIP all-access passes are $80. Half of ticket proceeds go to support breast cancer patients at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center. More information, tickets, list of films, and complete schedule are available at www.bwfilmfestival.com. The four-day Baltimore Women's Film Festival showcases over 100 films including shorts, features, documentaries, and animations. More than 30 filmmakers from around the world, as well as local filmmakers, will be in attendance to discuss their work.
From the website of Two Angry Moms:
Amy Kalafa was stewing for years, packing her kids lunches from home and trying to get her community to pay attention to what kids are eating in school. When news of a national child health crisis began making headlines, Amy, an award-winning documentary filmmaker, decided to take the fight to film. Two Angry Moms is Amy's quest to learn what she and other parents need to know and do to get better food in their kids' schools.
Susan Rubin had been trying for a decade to work with her district on improving school food, earning herself a reputation as a rabble-rouser with a “macrobiotic agenda” (NOT!). She's even been banned from her children's' school cafeteria! In the meantime, legions of kids continue to make a daily lunch out of neon green slushies, greasy fries and supersize cookies, imperiling not only their long-term health but also their ability to learn. Exasperated, Susan decided to reach beyond her school district, and founded Better School Food, her own grassroots organization.
Part expose, part “how-to”, Amy chronicles the efforts of Susan and other leaders in the fledgling better school food movement as they take on the system nationwide. From Chefs Alice Waters and Ann Cooper reinventing school food in Berkley California to Chef Tony Geraci's student designed meals in New Hampshire, Amy discovers programs that connect the cafeteria with the classroom and connect our kids with the earth. Over the course of a school year, we see Susan's coalition drive dramatic changes in one Westchester, NY school district.
Two Angry Moms shows not only on what is wrong with school food; it offers strategies for overcoming roadblocks and getting healthy, good tasting, real food into school cafeterias. The movie explores the roles the federal government, corporate interests, school administration and parents play in feeding our country's school kids.
See what happens when fed-up moms start a grass-roots revolution!
www.angrymoms.org
Join us in West
Shore Park in the Inner Harbor for this classic fall harvest festival, featuring a petting zoo,
pumpkin patch, square dancing, straw maze, hayrides, pie eating contest and more. Admission
is FREE.
Have fun with your kids and stock up on produce at the same time! The award-winning
FRESHFARM Market-Harbor East will be relocating to Harbor Harvest for the event. Harbor
Harvest is co-hosted by Waterfront Partnership
and is part of Downtown Partnership's Kids Month.
Special thanks to our sponsors, H and S Properties and
the Goldseker Foundation, and
to our exhibitors, including Whole Foods Market,
Buy Fresh! Buy Local!, and the Maryland
Science Center. West Shore Park is located between the Maryland Science Center and the
Baltimore Visitor's Center.
Saturday, October 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Questions?
info@dbfam.org.
Join us in one of our urban "backyards"for a day of fun, food, and family. We will have pool
and non-pool activities for all ages, a moon bounce, and lots of fun!
We are thrilled that Chipotle will be sponsoring the
event and providing a full lunch for everyone. 10 a.m to 1 p.m. at Patterson Park Pool,
148 S. Linwood Ave., 443-677-2618. This event is FREE for DBFA members and their families. If you are not yet a member, please
join. DBFA members may reserve their tickets to the pool
party no later than August 10, 2008 by submitting the form below. Questions about the party? E-mail
poolparty@dbfam.org.
Special thanks to the offices of Council President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Councilman Bill
Cole, Councilman Jim Kraft, the Goldseker Foundation, and the Department of Recreation and Parks for making this event
possible. Note: Using a public pool for a private event requires some creative scheduling; we hope that
families attending Sunday religious services may be able to don their suits and join us before
or after their services!
Shop Locally. Spend Locally. Give Locally at Shop Hop, Style and PaperDoll magazines'
premier shopping event! Shop Hop is a one night event dedicated to showcasing NEW fall
fashion favorites at a discounted price from a variety of local boutiques. All participating
boutiques will be offering their latest fall merchandise at a 20% discount. Tickets are $15 in
advance and $20 at the door. 5 to 9 p.m. at 1840's Ballroom in the Carrollton Inn, 29 Front Street,
Baltimore, MD 21202. RSVP online at baltimorestyle.com/shophop
Don't forget to mention DBFA when you purchase your ticket. A portion of your ticket price
benefits the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance.
You may have missed the
first DBFA Girls' Night Out when over 200 downtown moms got together for
cosmos and some "Sex and the City." Now, join us for a trip down the aisle you'll never forget!
The Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance invites you to attend the feature film adaptation of the
smash hit musical Mamma Mia! The Movie, Friday, July 25th. This enchanting tale of love,
laughter and friendship is perfect for a Girls' Night Out. We have rented the entire theatre for
DBFA's Girls' Night Out, so get your tickets early! Tickets are $12 for DBFA members; $14
for nonmembers. Tickets can be purchased at the
member price immediately after you join. DBFA membership will
be verified after your purchase. A portion of each ticket sold will benefit the Downtown Baltimore
Family Alliance.
The movie will begin at 9:30 p.m. at
Landmark Theatres,
645 S. President Street, Harbor East.
Cocktails anyone? You're invited to a pre-movie happy hour at Teavolve's brand NEW Harbor East
location (1401 Aliceanna Avenue) from 7[endash]9 p.m. featuring complimentary food and
discounted drinks.
Purchased tickets will be available for pick up at the pre-movie happy hour. Discounted parking
($3 for 5 hours) is available at the Exeter Street garage (entrance across from
Whole Foods) or the Marriott Courtyard Garage (1000 Aliceanna) with validation by Landmark Theatres.
Questions? E-mail movienights@dbfam.org.
The Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance
is pleased to announce our inaugural day of service. Families across downtown are invited to
volunteer at any of the locations listed below on July 19, 2008. Our hope is that families
living in Baltimore find long term family-friendly volunteer opportunities in their own backyard.
These volunteer opportunities are specifically geared for parents to do alongside children of any
age. Questions? E-mail dayofservice@dbfam.org.
Federal Hill/South Baltimore
RSVP by July 12 to Abby Plusen.
South Baltimore Station operates two unique transitional stations for homeless men recovering
from addiction. 10-12 families are invited at 5 p.m. to prepare dinner for the residents, serve them at
6 p.m. and then join the 20-30 residents for a sit-down dinner. SBS will provide a wish list as well and
families are invited to bring food with them that night to help them stock the pantry. Learn more about the
South Baltimore Station.
Ridgley's Delight/Pigtown/West Baltimore
RSVP by July 12 to Alison Pendell Jones.
Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS) serves an estimated 11,000 unwanted, abused, or
stray animals each year. Families are invited to help BARCS with landscaping/painting.
They need help mulching the dog yard, painting (BYOB —bring your own brush!), weeding, and
general landscaping. We ask volunteers to bring one plant in addition to giving of their time.
They are open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and volunteers are welcome anytime. Supervised time to play with
the animals will be arranged! Learn more about
BARCS.
Fell's Point/Highlandtown/Canton/East Baltimore
RSVP by July 12 to Evynn Overton.
International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a refugee resettlement project.
Families are invited to assist this amazing organization by mentoring a refugee family in the
process of settling in Baltimore and becoming members of our thriving family community. The
IRC will make an effort to match volunteer families with refugee families that have children
around the same age. Interested families should attend one of two orientation sessions to be
held on June 10 and July 1 (this is a one-hour session) and must complete an IRC application.
The July 19 day of service will be a kick-off celebration during which volunteer families will
meet the refugee family to which they have been assigned. Learn more about
IRC.
Central Baltimore
RSVP by July 12 to Abby Plusen.
Meals on Wheels provides home-delivered meals and other services to homebound elderly and
disabled persons. Families interested in helping to feed homebound neighbors and available on
weekdays between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. are invited to learn more about this program at an
information session on July 19th at 9 a.m. at the MOW central kitchen (515 South Haven
Street, Baltimore 21224). Families are encouraged to sign up to help with meal delivery once a month during the
summer months or longer if interested! Learn more about
Meals On Wheels.
Not available on July 19th? Looking for a family-friendly volunteer opportunity on another date?
Consider volunteering with your children at the Ronald McDonald House.
Opportunities include administrative support, planning and facilitating activities and entertainment, preparing and serving
meals —all with the aim of making the House a Home and providing the children with positive
experiences. For example, playing pool and air hockey, story-telling, arts and crafts, and game nights are
facilitated every night, and the food program allows people from the community to serve and share
with the Ronald McDonald families a breakfast or dinner at the House. Please contact Joshua Harden,
Manager of Volunteer Services and Community Relations, for details on volunteering at
joshua@rmhbaltimore.com or 410-528-1010 x106.
Wondering how to be
a more eco-conscious parent? The Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance presents Raising Green Kids
in the City on Saturday, June 7, 2008 at 1 p.m. at the Light Street Branch of the Enoch
Pratt Free Library (1251 Light Street, Federal Hill). Guest speakers include: Washington Post
reporter Mary Ellen Slayter, author of the article "Greening Up Baby: For the Eco-Conscious
Parent, How to Be Gentle on the Earth and the Wallet;"Karen Fedor, former organic certification
manager for the Department of Agriculture; Deborah Cogan, Federal Hill mother
of two and owner of Spoons Coffee Cafe, the first restaurant in Maryland to become certified
green. As a leader in the Green Restaurant movement, she has made many strides in the areas of
waste reduction, clean energy, water conservation, energy conservation, pollution prevention,
and supporting local farms and the local economy. Topics include how to shop responsibly for food,
how to keep play areas safe from chemicals, how to handle the diaper dilemma: wash vs. toss,
and what does organic even mean? Is it worth the money? Plus food, drinks, and many green
giveaways. This event is FREE. There is an suggested $5 donation to fund future parenting
seminars and events for downtown families. RSVP to
parentseminar@dbfam.org.
Ladies, dust off your stilettos and skinny jeans and let's "get carried away."The Downtown
Baltimore Family Alliance (DBFA) invites you to a "Sex and the City"Girls Night Out
on Friday, May 30, 2008. Join us for a private screening of the eagerly-anticipated
"Sex and the City: The Movie"on its opening night at Landmark Theatres 645 S. President Street,
Harbor East. Tickets are $10.50 per person. DBFA has rented out the entire theater.
Get your tickets early! Tickets are limited and this event will sell out! Cosmos anyone?
Join us for a pre-movie happy hour featuring FREE food and discounted drinks at Lebanese
Taverna (719 S. President St.) from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Movie will begin at 9:30 p.m. Buy
your tickets online on the DBFA website www.dbfam.org Purchased movie tickets will be
available for pick up at the pre-movie happy hour 7:00-9:00pm. Discounted parking
($3 for 5 hours) is available at the Exeter Street garage (entrance across from Whole Foods)
or the Marriott Courtyard Garage (1000 Aliceanna) with validation by Landmark Theatres.
Questions? judy@dbfam.org. A portion of each ticket sold will benefit the Downtown Baltimore
Family Alliance.
Wondering how to turn your cement pad into a garden oasis for your kids?
DBFA presents The Urban Patio: How to Create a Kid-Friendly Outdoor Space on Saturday, April
12th at 1 p.m. at the Enoch Pratt Free Library Southeast Anchor Branch. Guest speakers will include Baltimore
Garden Company's Jennifer Kirschnick and Claudia Towles of aMuse toy store. Topics include
creating a safe environment, tips for gardening in the city, great outdoor toys, and getting
kids excited about planting. The event is FREE but a $5 donation is greatly appreciated to
fund future DBFA parenting seminars and events for downtown families. RSVP to
parentseminar@dbfam.org.
Please join us for the 1st Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Patterson Park
hosted by the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance in Partnership with
the Friends of Patterson Park. Saturday March 22nd, 10 am at the
Patterson Park playground near Eastern Ave. Festivities will include an Easter
egg hunt with prizes, food/beverages, a puppet show, arts and crafts
(including a craft with Audubon Society), face painting and a meet-and-greet with the
Easter Bunny himself! This is a candy/peanut free event. The suggested age for the hunt is
0-7 years old, with hunting areas broken down by age. However, all
children are welcome with adult accompaniment. Don't forget to bring
your baskets and cameras! Sponsored by Banner Neighborhoods, Inc., Whole Foods, Donna's,
aMuse, and Kiss Cafe. Please RSVP to egghunt@dbfam.org. This event will occur despite cold weather
or snow. Rain date is March 29th at 10 a.m.
Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance is proud to present the first in a series of
parenting seminars for downtown parents. The Sleep Lady is coming to help you and your family
get a better night's sleep! Kim West, author of "Good Night, Sleep Tight,"is known
to her clients as The Sleep Lady. She has developed
an alternative and effective approach to helping
children put themselves to sleep without letting them
"cry it out."Featured on "Dr. Phil,""Good Morning
America,""The Today Show,"and in countless magazines
and newspapers, including Women's Day, USA Today, and
Parenting Magazine, Ms. West comes to you on Tuesday, February 19, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
at Streetlite Christian Fellowship, 1121 Riverside Ave, Federal Hill. Free parking available
at Digital Harbor High School, 1100 Covington St. Baltimore, MD 21230. The event is FREE but a
$5 donation is greatly appreciated to fund future DBFA parenting seminars and events for downtown families.
RSVP to parentseminar@dbfam.org.