Language Immersion Charter School Opens in Baltimore

Baltimore's first language immersion charter school is seeking students for the 2008-09 school year, and invites parents and children to visit the school to learn more about its unique mission. The Baltimore International Academy, located in northeast Baltimore, hopes to recruit children from all over the city to take their choice of instruction in Spanish, French, Russian or Chinese.

The school, which is charetered by the Baltimore City Public School system, is holding open houses throughout the spring at its campus at 3501 Taylor Avenue at 7:00, which is the campus of the Maryland School for the Blind:

• Tuesday, January 29
• Tuesday, February 26
• Tuesday, March 18
• Tuesday, April 22
• Tuesday, May 20
  

The school follows the Maryland State Volunteer Curriculum and will offer four immersion tracks for the 2008-09 school year and those are French, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Spanish. We have positions available for students enrolling in Kindergarten and 1st grade.

For more information about the Open Houses, see the CCA's Events Calendar. Learn more about the school at its website, by calling (410) 426-3650, or via e-mail.

Yo Ho Ho . . . and a Chartered Cruise

Avast, maties -- here's your chance to win a chartered cruise for you and up to 48 of your friends and family on Baltimore's newest tourist attraction, the Pirate Quest pirate ship.

According to their website, Pirate Quest was formed by "three Baltimore moms who felt the need to 'release their pirates within.'" Thanks to them, Baltimore now has its very own pirate ship. But the ship needs a name, and that's where you come in.

Pirate Quest is running a contest to name the ship, and the winner will receive the aforementioned free cruise. To enter, visit the link above and click on "Name Our Ship." The winner will be announced during the Privateer Day festival in Fells Point on April 19, and the pirate ship will be open for tours.

Pirate Quest is also currently accepting applications for "Captains and Pirate Performers with nautical skills." Sound like you? Pirate Quest will be holding crew auditions in March. Find out more at the Pirate Quest site.

Help Launch Baltimore's Next Dog Park

Baltimore dog owners, rejoice! The Canton Dog Park -- the first of its kind in the city -- may soon be joined by a new dog park in Locust Point. The Locust Point Dog Park Committee is hoping to open a new campus for cavorting canines this Spring.

The Committee invites Canton residents to join them in a toast to success of the new pooch playground at the second annual Yappy Hour fundraiser at the Sly Fox Pub (where else?) on Thursday, January 31 beginning at 6:00 p.m. Members of the committee will be guest bartending, which means that your tips will be go straight to the dog park construction fund. Half-price food specials will also be featured.

Dogs are only allowed at Sly Fox in spirit, so plan on hoisting one for them in their absence.

For the address and directions, visit the CCA Events Calendar. Please RSVP if you're planning to attend. For more information about the Locust Point Dog Park, visit http://www.locustpointdogpark.com/ .

CDP Receives Abell Foundation Grant

The Friends of Canton Dog Park announced this week that they have received a grant from the Abell Foundation that will ensure that the park can continue to serve the growing number of pets and people who use the popular facility.

The $5,000 community development grant from the Baltimore-based foundation will be supplemented by an additional $500 provided by the Friends, says Gina Schwind, President of the Friends of Canton Dog Park. The funds will be used to hire landscape architect Amy Cooney, the designer of Thames Street Park, to develop a plan for completely renovating the park.

Since its opening in September 2002 the Dog Park, located at the corner of Clinton and S. Toone, has steadily increased in popularity.

"Five years ago when the park opened, I don't think anyone imagined the amount of use it would get," Schwind told the Canton Connection Online. "Every year more people come from all over the city. We even see people driving in from the county and out of state visitors bringing their dogs on vacation." Schwind points out that new pet-friendly homes and condos being built in the neighborhood will almost certainly increase the number of dogs and their human companions who use Baltimore's first dedicated dog park.

"Our little park is starting to show the effects of all this wear and desperately needs a face lift," says Schwind, who notes that the Friends are actively seeking community input on the design. Schwind encourages people to propose ideas that are low maintenance, cost efficent, long wearing, and pet- and environment friendly.

The Canton Dog Park's amenities include an open space where dogs can run and play in a legal “off-leash” area, a double gated perimeter fence divided into separate sections for large and smaller or older dogs, shade, nearby parking, routine maintenance, and a notice board for dog park rules and related information. According to the partnership agreement that governs the park, the City picks up the trash and maintains the grass outside the park, while the Friends -- a CCA subcommittee -- raise all maintenance funds ($2,500 annually) and cleans, sanitizes and repairs the facility.

For more information about the Friends of Canton Dog Park, visit their home page on the CCA website or e-mail President Gina Schwind. For more information about the Abell Foundation, visit their website.

DPW Has More Recycling Bins

If you weren't one of the lucky few who snagged a yellow recycling bin when they were introduced back in mid-December, here's another chance. The Baltimore City Department of Public Works has announced that it has received more 18- and 25-gallon bins. They are available for purchase at the Kane Street Yard (111 Kane Street, across from Patterson High School) between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Prices are:

• $5.00 for an 18 gallon (square) bin
  
• $6.00 for a 25 gallon (round) bin (normally $12.00, but discounted through January 31).
  

Lids for 25-gallon containers are not available, but DPW says that standard plastic bin lids from your local hardware store should fit. DPW is looking into the possibility of selling 25-gallon lids in the future.

Remember, yellow bins are not required for recycling your clean paper, bottles, and cans. Any bin, box, or bag clearly marked "Recycling" can be used. For more details about the new single-stream recycling program, visit the CCA's Recycling and Trash Schedule page.

Mayor to Host Discussion on Home Foreclosures

Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon will be hosting a community discussion on ways residents can protect themselves from foreclosure as a result of abusive lending practices. The meeting will be on Wednesday, January 30 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at City Hall, 4th Floor, Curran Room. A photo ID will be required to enter City Hall.

Representatives from the Baltimore Homeownership Preservation Coalition will discuss topics ranging from homeownership to the effects of foreclosures on neighborhood stability.