In Baltimore City
Ceremony to mark streamlined process for city permits
Baltimore's new "one-stop shop" for development and construction permits is scheduled to open today with a ceremony at the Charles L. Benton Building, 417 E. Fayette St.
Previously, those seeking permits had to obtain approval of up to six agencies, one at a time. Now, a "parallel process" will enable all appropriate agencies to work on applications simultaneously, officials said.
Mayor Martin O'Malley and Housing Commissioner Paul T. Graziano had promised to streamline procedures involving the Department of Public Works, Office of Planning, Commission on Historical and Architectural Preservation, the Fire Department and other agencies. The city issues 20,000 permits annually.
Puppy, kitten adoptions suspended during holidays
The Baltimore Animal Shelter has announced that beginning Wednesday, it is suspending the adoption of puppies and kittens less than 6 months old until after Jan. 1.
Officials said the shelter is joining other humane organizations in the nation that are halting the adoption of young animals during the holidays. Young pets are easily upset and confused by holiday activities, they said. In addition, pets given as unexpected holiday gifts often are returned to the shelter or are abandoned.
Information: 410-396-4688.
Toy collection is scheduled at bridge, tunnels this week
Motorists passing through three Baltimore harbor crossings will be able to donate unwrapped holiday toys this week.
Toys can be dropped at designated collection points from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday at the Key Bridge, Harbor Tunnel and Fort McHenry Tunnel. The same days, toys will be collected at the port of Baltimore's Dundalk Marine Terminal main gate from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Toys will be accepted only at designated drop-off points during collection hours. Toll collectors will not accept toys in toll lanes. Motorists, including E-Z Pass customers, must use the far-right toll lane and follow directions from Santa Claus and uniformed Maryland Transportation Authority police officers. The toys will be distributed to area underprivileged children through the Marine Corps Reserves' Toys for Tots campaign.
In Baltimore County
Art exhibit reception, concert coincide tomorrow
STEVENSON -- Villa Julie College has scheduled a reception for a new art exhibit to coincide with the debut performance of the Greenspring Valley Chamber Orchestra.
A reception for Noire, an exhibit featuring the works of painter Irene Liotis, photographer Peter Martin and sculptor Rachel Rotenberg, will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. tomorrow in the Villa Julie Gallery. The reception is free and open to the public.
At 7:30 p.m. tomorrow, the chamber orchestra will present its initial performance at the Inscape Theater, featuring selections from Mozart, Brahms, Schubert and Tchaikovsky. Tickets are $3 for students, faculty, staff and children younger than age 12, and $5 for the general public. Children under the age of 5 will be admitted free. Information: Robert Suggs, 410- 602-7433.
Children's book illustrator to discuss work tomorrow
TOWSON -- Award-winning children's book illustrator Bryan Collier will discuss his work and narrate a slide presentation at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Towson Library, 320 York Road.
Collier's most recent illustrations appear in Marian Wright Edelman's book I'm Your Child, God. Autographed copies of the book will be for sale.
The program, in the downstairs Towson Room, is free and open to the public. Information: 410-887-6196.
College's board of trustees to meet Wednesday night
DUNDALK -- The board of trustees of the Community College of Baltimore County will meet at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the school's Dundalk campus, 7200 Sollers Point Road.
The board will meet in Room 800 of the Center for Business and Industry. Anyone who wants to address the board must sign up outside the room before the meeting starts. Speakers will be limited to two minutes.
Information: 410-869-1222.