In Baltimore City
City Council plans hearings on bills for biotech park
The City Council has set its first hearings on legislation giving the city authority to acquire about 3,300 properties in East Baltimore for a biotech park and hundreds of units of new and renovated housing.
A hearing on bills giving the city the right to acquire properties in the Gay Street and Johnston Square urban renewal areas is scheduled for 6 p.m. July 16 at Madison Square Recreation Center, 1401 E. Biddle St. A second hearing, covering the Oliver urban renewal area, is set for 6 p.m. July 17 at Oliver Multi-Purpose Center, 1400 E. Federal St.
Hearings on bills giving the city the right to acquire properties in Middle East, where most of the condemnations will occur, and Broadway East will be scheduled later.
Black commission on AIDS establishes affiliate in city
The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, which has its headquarters in New York, established its Baltimore affiliate yesterday and mapped a strategy on how to combat the disease.
Commission leaders said their primary goal is to redistribute resources to focus on the black community, which makes up 88.5 percent of the city's cases of acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The group plans to hold a "State of Emergency Sunday" on Sept. 29, when church leaders will solicit donations and lobby for political support. "We're overrepresented by the virus and underrepresented by funds," said the Rev. Raphael Warnock, vice chairman of NBLCA's Baltimore affiliate.
Yesterday's meeting occurred 10 days after City Council President Sheila Dixon submitted a bill that would declare the AIDS epidemic a public health emergency in the city.
Strip club seeks approval to open venue on The Block
The city liquor board has scheduled a public hearing Aug. 1 for a Michigan-based strip club chain's request to open a large venue in the old Gayety Theatre building on East Baltimore Street.
The Deja Vu club would be the biggest on The Block, based on plans filed at the board. Floor plans show nearly 17,000 square feet spread out over the second and third floors, with multiple dance platforms and private seating areas.
Deja Vu wants the board to approve a transfer of the liquor and adult entertainment licenses used by the Custom House Saloon. That club, now closed, occupied some of the space in the Gayety building at 403-409 E. Baltimore St.
Festivalgoers must pay for Camden Yards parking
A parking fee of $5 per vehicle will be charged at all Camden Yards sports complex parking lots during the African-American Heritage Festival this weekend.
No admission will be charged for the festival, which is being held at Oriole Park at Camden Yards tonight through Sunday.
The festival, a family-focused event, will include a range of entertainment and will be held from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. today, noon to 10 p.m. tomorrow and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday.
In Baltimore County
2 men accused of stealing building equipment, tools
TOWSON - Baltimore County police arrested two Dundalk men in the theft of more than $250,000 worth of construction equipment and power tools, which they would like to return to their rightful owners.
Dennis S. Zovko, 38, of the 200 block of Colgate Road and Daniel T. Gratz, 46, of the 6500 block of Baltimore Ave. are in custody in the Baltimore County Detention Center, police said.
Police said they recovered more than 400 tools and pieces of construction equipment, most of it stolen from toolboxes attached to commercial trucks. About 100 items have been returned, and police are seeking owners of the remaining items. Those who can prove ownership can call 410-887-6296 to claim the tools.
Workday, food sharing, stories scheduled at park
TOWSON - A free farm tour and workday are scheduled at Sherwood Farm in Cromwell Valley Park from 9 a.m. to noon tomorrow, one of several outdoor events sponsored by Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks.
On Sunday, also at Sherwood Farm, a food sharing will be held at 6 p.m. Participants are asked to take a vegetarian dish for dinner. At 7:15 p.m., the summer solstice will be celebrated. The suggested donation is $8 per family.
On June 29, Willow Grove Farm will offer stories about animals for children ages 3 to 8. Reservations are required, and the event costs $2. Willow Grove Farm and Sherwood Farm are part of Cromwell Valley Park, 2002 Cromwell Bridge Road. Information: 410-887-2503.
Big-band music concert set at park Tuesday night
OLIVER BEACH - The Friends of Oliver House, a nonprofit organization, is sponsoring a concert by the Emil Rusinko Jazz Orchestra from 7 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. Tuesday at Robert Oliver Park on Patapsco Road in Oliver Beach.
The concert of big-band music is free and open to the public.
In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to Oliver Beach Elementary School on Cunninghill Cove Road. Information: 410-335-5834.
