Nearly an inch of rain had fallen across the Baltimore region from Tuesday morning through midday Wednesday, helping to slow or reverse a developing drought.

From 5 a.m. Tuesday through noon Wednesday, 0.83 inches of rain had fallen at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, according to the National Weather Service.

Some parts of the region saw more rain than that on Tuesday alone. More than 1 inch was reported in Reisterstown and Norrisville, in northwestern Harford County, with nearly an inch in Sykesville, according to CoCoRaHS, a network of weather spotters.

More heavy rain is forecast Wednesday afternoon and evening. The weather service predicts more than half an inch could fall by about midnight.

With eight new Democrats joining Baltimore's City Council in December, proponents of a $15 hourly minimum wage relaunched their campaign to hike wages for the city's low-income workers.

After failing by one vote in August, advocates for a higher minimum wage feel more confident now that three council members who opposed the measure are being replaced by new members who've pledged to support the increase.

The advocates and the bill's lead sponsor, Councilwoman Mary Pat Clarke of North Baltimore, held a rally at the Blue Point Healthcare Center to kick off the new effort. Dozens of low-wage workers and supporters attended.

"We have airport workers, heath care workers, home care workers who are all going to let our elected officials know that we demand $15 an hour," said Ricarra Jones, a political organizer for a local health care union. "Last year our bill in Baltimore had a delay, but this year we're back at it. We have a plan to add Baltimore to the growing list of the cities and states that have increased the minimum wage to $15 an hour."

Hillary Clinton has never played the board game, Monopoly.

How do we know?  Because even novice players learn quickly that you always hang on to a “get out of jail free” card.  No matter what.  You never know when you’re going to need it.  And you usually do. 

Clinton had such a card… and has managed to recklessly squander it.   

So what happens now?  Will she draw that other dreaded card: “Go to jail.  Go directly to jail.  Do not pass Go.  Do not collect $ 200” ?  For Clinton, who could face serious criminal jeopardy, this is no game.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake led Baltimore through monster snowstorms, an earthquake, a derecho and a riot. She was mayor for the city's lowest murder rate in decades — and its highest. She's been cheered, and she's been booed.

After seven years leading a city fraught with challenges, Rawlings-Blake says she has few regrets as she prepares to step down Dec. 6. Despite the persistent violence, she argues she's leaving Baltimore in better shape than when she took over.

"I don't spend a lot of time thinking about 'Oh, this could have been better,'" Rawlings-Blake said in an interview with The Baltimore Sun. "I did what I know is the best job I could do on any given day."

The outgoing mayor — who was elected once but served the length of nearly two full terms — rose to national prominence as she climbed into leadership ranks of the Democratic Party. She became a staple on Sunday morning talk shows and has been applauded for her fiscal management of Baltimore.

With the Jewish New Year just over a month behind us, and the long nights of winter closing in, Jewish communities throughout the world have begun their new cycle of the weekly Krias haTorah. The parshiyosthroughout sefer Bereishisdescribe the greatness of our Avos and the permanent impact they had on the world in which they lived, the children they bore, and the future of the Jewish people and humanity.

The first of the Avos, Avraham Avinu, is presented to us as a majestic and benevolent individual who possessed an unsurpassed level of empathy. Avraham Avinu was deeply affected not only by the plight of his own family, but by that of strangers whose lives may be in jeopardy. Despite his unwavering compassion for all, his steadfast commitment to those in need was never confused with weakness. Avraham was able to convey his kindness for the frail, the forgotten, and the sick while still exhibiting great strength and resolve when demanded of him.

It has been about three months since Shidduch in a Box Baltimore (SIB) has been launched. The first chasuna to participate took place right after Tisha B’Av. We are happy to report that, baruch Hashem, with siyata dishmaya and a bracha of hatzlacha from Rav Heinemann and other rabbanim, we are seeing success. We haven’t heard of any engagements as a result yet, but it is still too early in the process for that, b’derech hateva. Yet so far, we have seen the following amazing success:

1. We have on average an SIB display at a chasuna once a week…even in New York!

2. Engaged couples are excited to participate and request SIB.

3. Singles not only from Baltimore but also outside of Baltimore are filling out profiles.

Chaya Aviva Katz

Who was my mother?

We honestly had no idea until a few short weeks ago. We did know that she was part of the chevra kaddisha, a teacher, friend, counselor, Bnos advisor, and primarily, our mother. Growing up in the Kleiner house, it was the norm to have countless people staying over for just a night or sometimes much longer, whether it was for fertility treatments, hospital stays, or dating.

Our house was also command-central for 35 years’ worth of high school girls. As high school Bnos advisor, my mother stayed dedicated to keeping them busy – to giving them fun in a good, “kosher” environment. There were chol hamoed trips with boating and biking in Washington on Succos. Chanuka chagiga, Great Adventures on Pesach, ice skating, and renting out the beach on the last day of school. Whether it was Levindale on Shabbos afternoons or shalosh seudos at different girls’ houses, my mother knew how important it was for girls to enjoy themselves and each other in the right ways.

For us, Shabbos was about delivering soup and challa to specific neighbors. We made sheva brachos and supper for others. She would have us do the deliveries or bring us along, telling us how lucky we were to be a part of the mitzva. There was no fanfare – we did it because this was all just part of how we grew up. In our younger years, breakfast time was story time. There were stories of gedolim as we ate, and each day when we left for school she would say perek 19 of Tehillim with us.

Traditionally, weddings are made in the hometown of the bride. Lately, some families have chosen to make their weddings in other communities such as Lakewood or New York because they feel the event will cost less money that way. Because these venues have a greater volume of simchas, among other factors, they are able to keep their prices down.

Some Baltimore askanim are determined to change this. They want families to be able to make their simchas here. These askanim feel that there is no reason why we can’t work together to create opportunities for the same discount packages, with even greater value, right here at home!

No, really…thank you for coming. Because I’ve been that woman in the minivan with the cracker crumbs and the car seats and the fighting. Before DVDs in the car and after DVDs in the car. And I’ve been that woman who got up at 4:30 a.m. to catch the only Spirit flight of the day. I’ve been that woman who wanted nothing more on a Shabbos morning than to roll over and go back to sleep. And I’ve even been that woman who, for whatever reason, found it painful to be your simcha, but came anyway. Because I couldn’t imagine you celebrating a milestone and not being there to share it with you.

And now here you are doing the same for me. Leaving your home, your family (or bringing them with you – I’m not sure which is harder!), your comfortable bed and routine to be there for me at my simcha. I understand the sacrifice, big or small, and I truly appreciate it. And I want you to know just how much.

Mazel tov! You’ve agreed to host a sheva brachos. As always, let me just remind you that everyone coming just wants to have a good time, so whatever you do, they’ll enjoy it and be so grateful to you for hosting. Here are some different and fun recipes to showcase your fun and frisky side as you wish the happy new couple years of simchas.