In Baltimore City
City agency launches annual clothing drive
With Christmas carols, candy canes and a visit from Santa Claus, the city's Department of Public Works launched its 28th annual cold-weather clothing drive yesterday.
The department is collecting mittens, hats and scarves for children. The first donations were used to decorate a Christmas tree in the lobby of the downtown Abel Wolman Building.
A band and chorus made up of public works and Office of Transportation employees performed at the morning "mitten tree ceremony," as did a chorus from Violetville Elementary/Middle School. Donations will be accepted at the Wolman Building, 200 N. Holliday St., through Dec. 20.
Celebration to feature free food at several sites
The Downtown Partnership is throwing a holiday celebration today for downtown workers featuring free food. From noon to 2 p.m., local restaurants and cafes will give out samples at several downtown locations. Subway sandwiches and Whole Foods orange slices will be provided at each stop.
Visitors can sample food from Kiss Cafe and the Atlantic at 36 S. Charles St.; Tug's and Cafe Bombay at 1 N. Charles; Mondo Bondo and the Hyatt's Bistro 300 at 2 N. Charles; and City Lights and Brick Oven Pizza at 201 N. Charles.
Elsewhere downtown, food will be provided by Zydeco Grill and Cypriana at the Legg Mason tower, 100 Light St.; DeGroen's Grill at 10 E. Baltimore St.; Morton's, Bo Brook's, Bill Bateman's and Starbucks at 100 E. Pratt St.; Birches, Aramark's Camden Club and Donna's at 250 W. Pratt; Phillips, Truffles and ESPN Zone at 111 Market Place; and La Scala and Truffles at 1 South St., the Alex. Brown building.
Man dies of gunshot wound suffered in street shooting
A man shot Saturday night on a Southwest Baltimore street died yesterday at Maryland Shock Trauma Center.
Kevin Morant, 19, of the 1700 block of W. Pratt St. was walking with friends near a carryout in the 300 block of S. Fulton Ave. about 9:10 p.m. when the group encountered another friend who told them he had just been robbed nearby by a gunman.
Police said a gunman - perhaps the one who had robbed the friend - turned the corner and fired shots at the group, hitting Morant in the head. He died at 11:20 a.m. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Detective Frank Miller at 410-396-2100.
Shooting victim dies of wounds suffered Nov. 9
A man who had been hospitalized with gunshot wounds for nearly three weeks died early Friday at Sinai Hospital, city police said.
William Moore Jr., 34, was pronounced dead at 12:40 a.m., according to Officer Nicole Monroe, a police spokeswoman. Moore was shot twice in the head Nov. 9 while standing in front of the apartment complex where he lived in the 3500 block of Woodland Ave.
No arrests have been made in the killing. Police ask that anyone with information about Moore's death call 410-396-2100.
In Baltimore County
Police search for girl, 3, taken from guardian's care
TOWSON - Baltimore County police are searching for a 3-year-old girl, Mahyra Speaks, who they say was taken from the home of a guardian by the girl's mother.
Police said they were called to the first block of Strawhat Drive in Owings Mills on Oct. 7 by a relative who said she had limited guardianship of Mahyra while the girl was under the care of the county Department of Social Services. The relative said the girl's mother, Ayana Speaks, stopped by the house and took Mahyra on Oct. 3, police said.
Investigators believe that mother and child are living at locations around Baltimore City. Anyone with information is asked to call county police at 410-307-2020 or the Maryland Center for Missing Children at 800-637-5437.
Workshop on beginning a business is scheduled
TOWSON - The Service Corps of Retired Executives Chapter 3 will hold a four-session workshop, "Understanding Business: Starting, Managing, Prospering," this week and next at Towson United Methodist Church, 501 Hampton Lane.
The workshop is for those considering starting a business and for new entrepreneurs. Topics will include business plans, financing, management, legal issues and marketing. Advance registration is encouraged.
Sessions will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. tomorrow, Thursday and Dec. 11 and 12. All sessions must be completed for students to receive a certificate. Registration and information: 410-962-2233.
Seminar on managing pain in elderly planned Friday
TOWSON - Nurses, social workers and nursing home administrators can earn continuing education credits Friday by attending "Helping Elderly Patients Manage Pain and Symptoms," a seminar sponsored by Baltimore County Department on Aging at Sheppard Pratt Conference Center.
The seminar runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will include two presentations - one by Maureen Carling, a registered nurse, on "Pain Management: A Step by Step Approach," and the other by Sister Sharon Burns, who will discuss "Aging: A Time for Spiritual Growth and Meaning."
The cost for the seminar is $55, which includes lunch. Information: 410-887-2002.