In Baltimore City
City Council OKs resolution opposing war against Iraq
The City Council passed a resolution last night opposing a U.S. war in Iraq.
Proposed by Councilman Kwame Osayaba Abayomi, the resolution objects to "the United States' continued and threatened violation ... of international law by the unilateral, pre-emptive military action against the nation of Iraq."
One council member, Keiffer J. Mitchell Jr., abstained. He objected to some of the bill's language and said foreign affairs are "best in the hands of Congress, not the City Council."
Last night, the council also passed a bill opposing the Bush administration's recent decision to ease Clean Air Act rules on power plants and other polluting industries.
Homicide victims' families invited to 'healing' event
Families of homicide victims are invited to an "evening of healing" at 6 p.m. tomorrow at Baltimore's Clarence M. Mitchell Jr. Courthouse.
Valerie Youngblood-Dowing, director of the Family Bereavement Center of the state's attorney's office, will discuss "Healthy Ways to Deal with Grief During the Holidays."
Families are asked to provide ornaments to decorate a holiday tree in the Victims Services waiting room, and gloves and socks to donate to an area shelter. The presentation will be in Room 410 of the courthouse, 110 N. Calvert St., Lexington Street entrance.
The event is sponsored by Survivors Against Violence Everywhere, a nonprofit group founded in 1993 that provides aid to family members of homicide victims. Information: Robin Haskins, 410-396-1897.
Dinner to honor detective reset, moved to bigger site
A fund-raising dinner in honor of slain Baltimore police Detective Thomas G. Newman has been rescheduled and moved to a new site after dozens of people expressed interest in attending the event, organizers said yesterday.
The dinner will be held from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday at the hall of Steelworkers Local 9477 at 550 Dundalk Ave. Organizers had planned to hold the event at Joe's Tavern in the 1000 block of Dundalk Ave., but were worried that it could not accommodate a large crowd.
Proceeds from the $4-a-plate event will benefit the two young children of the 37-year-old detective, who was off duty and leaving the tavern Nov. 23 when two men approached and opened fire. Police say the attack was in apparent retaliation for his testifying against two men convicted of wounding him during an ambush last year.
EPA research vessel 'Lear' to be open to the public
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's research vessel Lear will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. today at Inner Harbor Pier 5, next to the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel.
The 35-foot Lear, which can accommodate six scientists, is used along the Atlantic coast from New Jersey to Virginia for sampling, fish studies and diving expeditions.
The vessel's visit to Baltimore coincides with an emergency preparedness conference at the hotel organized by the EPA.
In Baltimore County
Congressman to discuss Medicare, HMOs for elderly
PARKVILLE -Rep. Benjamin L. Cardin will appear at Parkville Senior Center on Friday to talk about changes in the Medicare Plus Choice program and health maintenance organization options for the elderly in Maryland.
Cardin will speak at 9 a.m. and will be joined by Pat Venable of Baltimore County Department of Aging, who will discuss changes in the Medicare program.
The center is at 8601 Harford Road.
Auto theft, missing children focus of police cable show
TOWSON - This month's edition of Police Report, Baltimore County Police Department's cable television program, offers tips to prevent car thefts in winter and an in-depth look at techniques used to investigate reports of missing and exploited children.
Guests on the program, which runs through Jan. 10, include Detective Stephen Fox of the Family Crimes Unit; John Worden, director of the department's Counseling Team; and Sgt. Robert Jagoe from the Regional Auto Theft Task Force.
Police Report airs four times a week on Comcast Channel 25 in Baltimore County at 8:30 p.m. Mondays, 7 p.m. Tuesdays, and 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays and Fridays.
Exhibit set featuring art by teens of Russian families
PIKESVILLE - A celebration of the arts featuring the work of teen-agers from Russian-speaking families in the Baltimore area will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Milbrook Neighborhood Catering Hall, 6806 Milbrook Park Drive.
The free event, sponsored by the Milbrook Friendly Neighborhood Program and J.O.I.N. for Teens, will include an exhibit of paintings and musical and dance performances. Children's activities are scheduled from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Information: 410-602-6120.