Superkids

For those who like to express themselves artistically, the Baltimore School for the Arts' annual fund-raiser, Expressions '99, was the perfect night out.About 480 guests began their evening with a little artful education, BSA style. Arty amateurs like Dr. Robert Booker, Baltimore City school system CEO; Cheryl Hudgins Williams, public affairs manager for Procter & Gamble Co.; Sally Michel, SuperKids Camp founder; Robert Embry, Abell Foundation president; and author Jim Dale split up into classes led by BSA teachers and students.

Oct. 25 Shoe Biz Inc., 3610 Eastern Ave., Baltimore, filed under Chapter 7. Principal: Tyrone Lemons, president. Assets: $86,610; liabilities: $136,050 Oct. 29 Ronald C. & Brenda R. Shriner, 153 Spring Path Way, Arnold, self-employed individuals, jointly filed for an adjustment of debts under Chapter 13. Assets: over $500,000; Liabilities: over $1,000,000 SuperKids Inc. 310 N. Colvin St., Baltimore, filed for protection under Chapter 11. Principal: Gary...

Awards Erickson Health System, based in Catonsville, received Health Data Management's national Nursing Information Technology Innovation Award. Enterprise Homes Inc. President Chickie Grayson received a national HOPE (Home Ownership Participation for Everyone) Award. Created in 2001 by six real estate organizations, the awards are given every other year. SuperKids Camp, a program of the Parks & People Foundation, was given the Excellence in Summer Learning award by the Center for Summer Learning at the Johns Hopkins University.

Aunt Hattie's Place Inc. is a Baltimore home for young boys in foster care. Eight of those "SuperKids," as they are called, entertained, enlightened and impressed those attending the organization's second annual Hearts of Love Recognition Affair at the Forum.The honorees -- "aunts and uncles" who give their time, effort and money to help these youngsters -- included Harlow Fullwood, president of the Fullwood Foundation; Dr. Gretta Burnett, the "first lady" of Coppin State College; Stephen Neal, a vice president of Giant Food Inc.; Jacqueline Truesdel, a manager for BGE; and the Rev. Anthony Dorsey.

Towson anti-crime rally scheduled for Friday 2 The Baltimore County Police Department and the Towson Citizens on Patrol will host a Rally Against Crime at 6 p.m. Friday on Allegheny Avenue between the traffic circle and Washington Avenue. The event will begin with a ceremony to recognize the people and organizations who have worked to keep the area safe. Event-goers will have the opportunity to board a firetruck, sit in a race car and a police car, and watch a demonstration by the department's police dog unit.

In Baltimore CityCecil Elementary wins third library reading awardThe Enoch Pratt Free Library awarded its Director's Cup trophy last week for the city school with the highest participation in its "Catch the Reading Wave" summer reading program, and the winner was Cecil Elementary School -- again and again.While Cecil was winning for the third straight year, runners-up were Highlandtown, Eutaw-Marshburn, Harford Heights and Thomas G. Hayes elementaries.Nearly 12,000 children signed up for the nine-week program at libraries, PAL and recreation centers, and SuperKids camp sites (a 25 percent increase over 1998)

Mount Royal Tavern — 1204 W. Mount Royal Ave., hosts the 27th annual Foodscape, a takeoff on Artscape, with an opening reception July 10, 5:30-8 p.m. 410-243-2632. A group of Baltimore artists has been creating food-themed art to rib the focus Artscape had in its early year on food rather than art. Cylburn Arboretum — 4915 Greenspring Ave., hosts the Free State Daylily Society Exhibit in Vollmer Auditorium, July 10, noon-4 p.m., featuring hundreds of daylily blooms exhibited by society members.

Karl Clodfelter of SevernVolunteer work: Karl will be spending at least part of his summer vacation doing volunteer work for North Arundel Hospital in its Junior Volunteer program.Karl, 16, began volunteering at the hospital last summer.According to Karl, hospital volunteers need no particular medical skills, just a willingness to do good work and "know the basics."Karl primarily delivers supplies throughout the various departments of the hospital, including the intensive care unit where his mother, Diane Clodfelter, is the nurse manager.

SuperKids Camp has issued a call for volunteers to help register an expected 3,500 second-grade students Saturday for its eight-week summer reading and enrichment program.Registration will be held at the Baltimore Convention Center, and volunteers are needed for 3 1/2 -hour shifts -- from 8: 30 a.m. to noon, 11: 30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and 2: 30 p.m. to 6 p.m.Children taking part in the program will spend two hours each morning reading, then participate in recreational activities.For details and signing up to volunteer, call 410-448-5663, Ext. 114.Baltimore County's public libraries are seeking middle school students to work as volunteers in this year's summer reading program.

During times of shrinking resources, Baltimore City is wise to create public-private partnerships such as the one formed with Parks and People Foundation to restore and reopen 9 acres of inaccessible parkland and reconnect Druid Hill Park with the Greater Mondawmin community ("In face of cuts, city OKs funds for park building," April 1). The city's investment, under the leadership of then-Mayor Martin O'Malley and now Mayor Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake is leveraging $11 million in federal, state, foundation and private funds to restore and expand this city landmark for public use, a 9 to 1 return on investment.