If you haven't seen bmorefiber, check this out.

Bill Henry's Talk from Ignite Baltimore

Here is Bill Henry's Talk from Ignite Baltimore.  We are looking forward to having him come to the meeting this week.   You can see his full bio here.

Tuesday BmoreSmart Meeting Reminder - Bill Henry needs your help, BmoreFiber needs your vote, and the Baltimore Tree Trust presents.

Next Tuesday, March 2nd will be a great meeting.

The Baltimore Tree Trust will present their initiative and City Councilman Bill Henry needs our help with his bill to decrease the use of plastic bags in Baltimore. Bill Henry has only until next Thursday to add changes to the bill regarding plastic bags and garner support - he looks forward to meeting with us to get our thoughts and support.

Also, if you have not done so, please add your support to BmoreFiber.com and ask EVERYONE you know to do so. There is a real chance that Baltimore City may will a $1 Billion Google investment and have an internet connection 100xs faster than anywhere else in the US. The City of Baltimore needs your help!

See you at 6pm at 2400 Boston Street, Suite 304, Baltimore MD 21231, and feel free to invite others!

BmoreSmart Meeting with Baltimore ACTS February 2nd, 6pm

Tomorrow's meeting will be with Paul Wolman of FEATs who has created Baltimore ACTS, a Baltimore Based group that will put on events to support humanitarian relief efforts and other global social needs.

The first event is as follows:
ACT I: Help for Haiti
CONCERT FEB 11, 2010

You can help today by becoming a Facebook Fan Here:http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=baltimore+acts&init=quick#/pages/Baltimore-MD/BaltimoreACT/271071494916?ref=searchsid=586963705.746636218..1

See you Tuesday and feel free to bring others who are interested in BmoreSmart and getting involved with Baltimore ACTS.

Stop playing computer games. Help Haiti with no cash in 10 minutes.

Crisis Commons overview & focus on maps from Robert Wray on Vimeo.
This Saturday, Bmore smart member Robert Wray went down to check out the Crisis Commons.  The event was a mind blowing collaboration of over 1,000 technical volunteers on three continents.   Crowd-sourced community-generated maps have become the official on the ground map resource in Haiti.  In this video, Fortiusone's CTO Andrew Turner explains how you can start helping Haiti in 10 minutes with no cash, just some of your time. Links talked about in the video are ushahidi - Haiti SMS disaster relief collaboration, Crisis Commons ,and ImapHaiti.

How you get started in less than 10 minutes: http://imaphaiti.com The event was also covered by internal media organizations such as CNN, BBC, Washington Post, LA Times,  Wired and O'Reilly Media.

FYI: Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Meeting

and Parks Advisory Board Meeting
John Eager Howard Recreation Center
2100 Brookfield Avenue
Wednesday, January 27, 2010 – 7:00 p.m.

*** AGENDA ***

Call to Order.……………………………………………………Carolyn Wainwright, President
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board

Introductions (Optional)……………………………………By Staff and Members of the Board


Minutes from the December 16, 2009 Meeting…………Recreation and Parks Advisory Board


Interim Director’s Report…………..…………Dr. Dwayne B. Thomas, Ph.D., Interim Director
On the Status of the Operating Budget…………………………………….. Recreation and Parks


Capital Improvement Budget Discussion……..Dr. Dwayne B. Thomas, Ph.D., Interim Director,
Gennady Schwartz, Chief of Capital Projects
and Recreation and Parks Advisory Board

*Open Discussion…………………………………………… Staff, Members of the Board and
Audience Participation

Agenda Items for the next Advisory Board Meeting……………Carolyn Wainwright, President
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board


Next Meeting Date and Location….…………………………………February 24, 2010 – 7 p.m.
Mt. Pleasant Ice Arena
6101 Hillen Road (21239)

Adjournment……..……………………………………………..Carolyn Wainwright, President
Recreation and Parks Advisory Board

The Baltimore Ignition Grant - Calling all Social Entrepreneurs!

The Ignition Grant is a new part of Ignite Baltimore. This grant is $1500 and targeted towards anyone who is interested in starting a new initiative or project to make Baltimore a better place to live and work in. The application process is simple and all information can be found at Ignite Baltimore.

Here is the brief FAQ:

What Is the Ignition Grant?
The Ignition Grant is one grant of $1500 that will be awarded at Ignite Baltimore #5 to the individual who submits the most innovative and feasible project concept for making Baltimore a better place to live and work. The $1500 must be used in less than 6 months, and the winner will be asked to present on the results at the following Ignite Baltimore. Applications are due via email no later than February 10th, 2010.

What Is the Goal of the Ignition Grant?
The long term goal of this grant and contest is to support individuals who choose to take action as well as spark greater conversation about innovative and creative ways to address Baltimore City's social and economic challenges.

Who Can Apply For and Receive the Ignition Grant?
Anyone can apply, from any background, even those who do not live in Baltimore City, as long as they are applying as an individual and not on behalf of an organization. This grant is not to be used to either 1) continue an ongoing project or 2) jump-start a project at an existing organization.

How Do I Apply?
It's simple. Go to Ignite Baltimore's site and download the application. Read the guidelines and complete the form, then email it to heather @ ignitebaltimore.com by February 10th. Make sure to get a ticket (ticket info coming soon) to the next Ignite Baltimore, as the grant will be awarded at Ignite Baltimore #5 and you will be called up to receive it.
  Who Is Selecting the Winner of the Grant?
Staff from the Baltimore Community Foundation and the Enoch Pratt Free Library are working with the Ignite Baltimore team to select the winning proposal. The panel has extensive experience in grant-making and writing and all members are committed to the goal of the Ignition Grant.

How Will the Applications Be Judged?
Projects will be judged on the following 10 point scale: 

• Innovation & Creativity: Project is new & offers an interesting approach to solving a problem. (4 points)
• Feasibility & Effective Use of Funds: Show that project will be completed in 6 months, and show a well-developed plan for spending of funds. (4 points)
• Sustainability: Show plan for project to continue on past 6 months. (1 point)
• Matching Resources or Funds: Show that others will be providing free goods or services to the project. (1 point)

How Do I Know if I have Won?
The winner will be announced on March 4th 2010, during Ignite Baltimore #5 at the Walters Art Museum. You must be in attendance to win, so be sure to grab a ticket when they become available.

Where Will the Money Come From to Pay For the Grant?
Tickets to Ignite Baltimore will now be $5 per ticket to ensure that everyone who wants to attend the event gets a ticket. This fee will directly finance the Ignition Grant -- all other resources for Ignite Baltimore will be provided by our kind sponsors.
Posted January 12, 2010