Hey hellosugaree, I live in Baltimore too. I can't think of any reading that is pro-snake directed toward non-snake people but if you haven't already, you should check out Forgotten Friends Reptile Rescue in Lancaster, PA...
[URL="http://www.forgottenfriend.org/index.php"]
They do lots of education programs with their snakes both domestics and exotics and I bet they have some good advice on how to soften people's hearts.
Also, since we live in the same city, I have some very nice snakes that your landlord can meet, but I couldn't let them meet my jungle, 'cause she's a little hellion