My apologies for not writing much this summer—I have no excuse now that I’m no longer in school—but please enjoy reading about Baltimore this fall. The 60 degree breeze blowing right now feels downright cold after so many months of humidity, but I love it!


First, a few notes about recent happenings:
• If you haven’t already been to the Maryland State Fair, go today—it closes tonight! I absolutely love that it attracts all different types of people from all over the state, and the 4H competitions are fascinating. Of course, fresh peach sundaes and baby animals (and Justin Bieber) are hugely popular as well. We took the Light Rail and enjoyed the day immensely.


• Have you ever heard of Apartment Therapy? It is a great interior design blog that features houses and apartments all over the US. Recently some friends of mine were featured on the site (thanks to the awesome Baltimore blogger, Virginia) for their amazing Charles Village home. Check it out!
• A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending an open house/demonstration at Gilah Press + Design, which is literally a five minute walk from my house, which was really interesting as I’d never seen the letterpress process before. This was just one part of the AIGA Baltimore letterpress series going on this fall—don’t miss the others!
• I am thrilled that my favorite local restaurant/bar, The Dizz, has opened a second location in Hampden! Their menu has remained pretty similar (besides the fact that it’s now typed instead of handwritten!) and their prices are still reasonable. However, the view from the Grandview (at 3838 Roland Avenue) is spectacular…and the average age of the patrons has been raised significantly as the new establishment is in a senior center. See a slideshow here.
• This weekend I made the trip down to Glen Burnie to shop at CRW Flags, definitely one of the only flag shops I’m familiar with. If you are looking for any kind of flag, or even flag-related paraphernalia such as stickers, clocks, mugs, shirts or windsocks, this is your place.

Events to look forward to in September and October:
• Saturday, September 11 is going to be jam-packed with all kinds of festivals and events. I personally am excited to attend RemFest/Community Health Fair in Remington, held 11-4 at the Church of the Guardian Angel, as well as the bigger HampdenFest on the Avenue—classic fun. If you’ll be on the east side, don’t miss the Ukrainian Festival and Flea Market in Patterson Park that weekend.
• September 11 is also Defender’s Day at Fort McHenry—where you can experience reenactments, fireworks, and live music at the historic fort on the harbor.
• Sunday, September 19 is the opening day of Between Fences, a traveling exhibit produced by the Smithsonian, at the Montpelier Mansion in Laurel. Also that weekend is the Maryland Wine Festival at the Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster (which I’ve heard is amazing in itself). And finally, allso that weekend is the Appalachian Heritage Festival at Frostburg State University, which sounds like a lot of fun.
• The 15th annual Baltimore Book Festival takes Mount Vernon on September 24-26. The free event is always a lot of fun for bibliophiles. This year, visiting authors include Holly Robinson Peete, Rodney Peete, Barbara Bradley Hagerty, Nigel Barker, Ree Drummond, Michele Norris, Sherri Sheppard, Judge Glenda Hatchett, Jesse Ventura, Warrent St. John, Amy Dickinson ("Ask Amy") and Matt & Ted Lee.
• September 24-26 is also a big weekend elsewhere in the state. If you head west to the lovely little town of Cumberland, you can check out the C & O Canalfest/Railfest. Their website explains the festival as “three fun filled days of live music, fireworks, children's activities, train excursions, great food, original artwork, canal boat tours, Allegany County Sheriff's Office charity train pull to benefit Special Olympics, National Kidney Foundation charity bike ride, and much more!” On the other side of the state, the Chesapeake Film Festival will take place across the Eastern Shore that weekend.
• On September 30, from 7-9 pm, One Less Car and the Baltimore Department of Transportation/Bike Baltimore to host the National Association of City Transportation Officials Cities for Cycling (C4C) summit at the University of Baltimore. Their website says, “the Thursday evening forum will be interactive, educational, FREE, and open to the general public. It will include an array of bicycle infrastructure, advocacy initiatives and programs that have been successful in other cities with a Q&A session at the end.” One Less Car will also be hosting their Tour de Port bike ride around the harbor on Sunday October 3. Both should be wonderful!
• Internationally acclaimed primatologist and activist Jane Goodall will speak at Goucher College on Wednesday, October 13. Tickets are going fast but can be reserved online.
• One of my hands-down favorite festivals of all time is the Autumn Glory Festival in Garrett County, the westernmost stretch of Maryland that begins to feel a lot like West Virginia. It is held October 8-10 throughout the county, but the big Autumn Glory Parade is Saturday, October 9 in downtown Oakland. If you’re into farmer’s markets, religious puppet shows, authentic Amish whoopie pies, quilt and craft shows, clogging, camping in state parks, and banjo jamming, then you must check it out. The three-hour drive from Baltimore is lovely as the foliage is turning.
• Celebrate Druid Hill Park’s 150th Anniversary with a community/history/sports festival on Saturday, October 16. This park is such a gem—help Friends of Druid Hill honor it!
• The Great Halloween Lantern Parade, produced by the Creative Alliance and the Nana Projects each year in Patterson Park, will be a lot of fun on Saturday, October 30. And speaking of spooky fun, Remington’s Huntington Ave will become “Hauntingdon Avenue” on Halloween again this year.
• I am most looking forward to Free Fall Baltimore! The Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts does a fabulous job of putting together these free events and passes throughout the month of October. I can assure you there is something for everyone, so make sure to check out their website for all the details. I can’t wait to go to museums like the Baltimore Museum of Industry and AVAM on their free days (Sun Oct 3,10,17,24 & 31 11am - 4pm for BMI and October 24 for AVAM)! Below are lectures that really caught my eye:
o MARYLAND HISTORICAL SOCIETY: Author Anne Draddy will discuss her work, Druid Hill Park: The Heart of Historic Baltimore, and Barry Kessler, former Director of the Baltimore City Life Museums, will speak on Jewish relations in Druid Hill Park. Thurs Oct 14 6:30 pm – 8pm, Maryland Historical Society – 201 W Monument Street
o BALTIMORE ARCHITECTURE FOUNDATION: Internationally recognized African American architect Philip Freelon will speak on Sat Oct 16 6:30pm, Morgan State University Student Center Auditorium – 1200 Argonne Drive. Advance reservations are not required.
o BALTIMORE HERITAGE, INC.: Race and Place in Baltimore Neighborhoods. Join Baltimore Heritage for a series of walking tours through three Baltimore neighborhoods, Old West Baltimore, Greater Rosemont and Sharp Leadenhall, and a public lecture on race and place in Baltimore. Each tour was developed by a scholar with experience in Baltimore history working in collaboration with neighborhood organizations. The neighborhood walks and lecture aim to stimulate an informed discussion about historical experiences of residents and institutions in Baltimore’s historically segregated African American communities.
• Streetcar Suburbs to TOD at the West Baltimore MARC Station with Dr. Edward Orser. Meet at the West Baltimore MARC Station, Southwest corner of North Smallwood and West Franklin Streets, Sat Oct 16 10am - 12:30pm. Historic Sharp Leadenhall: Past, Present, and Future with Betty Bland-Thomas. Meet at Leadenhall Baptist Church, 1021 Leadenhall Street, Sat Oct 23 10am - 12:30pm

Mid-summer fun

Happy Fourth of July weekend--and, since I haven't posted in a really long time, happy summer as well! I hope everyone’s had a chance to do some barbequing, swimming, or just relaxing this summer. Instead of heading to the Harbor for the Fourth this year, we tried to watch the fireworks from the Rotunda parking lot. I was terrified that the unsupervised small children lighting off fireworks in the parking lot were going to do some serious damage, but luckily everyone went home in one piece.





It’s supposed to heat back up to 100 this week. Don’t let the heat get the best of you or stand in the way of going to these upcoming festivities:

• Check out the Chautauqua living history lecture series, across the state July 5-15. The CCBC Catonsville site is the closest to Baltimore and features Frederick Law Olmsted, Thurgood Marshall and Sacagawea July 8-10
• I loved the free world music and crafts festival Salsapolkalooza at the Creative Alliance last year. This year don’t miss the family fun on July 10.
• The Native Berry Festival, also July 10, at Herring Run Park (northwest Baltimore) promises to be a good time with local food and drinks, live music and a lovely setting. I’ve never been to Herring Run so I look forward to exploring a new part of town!
•Caribbean Carnival at Druid Hill Park, July 9-11
• The Tuckahoe Steam Show on the Eastern Shore that weekend also sounds like it would be a great experience. Craft vendors, steam engine demonstrations, flea market…I do love a good festival!
• Baltimore American Indian Center’s Pow Wow at the State Fairgrounds in Timonium, July 17 & 18.
• ARTSCAPE takes place July 16-18! ArtScape is so incredibly huge, there is always plenty for everyone to enjoy. Although the crowds and heat can be overwhelming, this Baltimore tradition really is worth it. Cool down in the air-conditioned theatres by watching a music or dance performance, wander through the crowd of vendors, let your imagination run wild at the interactive and avant-garde Charles Street bridge installations (don’t miss the art cars), eat some greasy fried food or find the falafel, and do some of your own art!
• WhartScape, July 22-25. Venues TBA. Wham City’s music and arts festival is not my scene, personally, but certainly a hotbed of hipster culture and an experience to behold.
• This year’s water ballet by Fluid Movement is JASON and THE AQUANAUTS: 20,000 Legs Over The Sea. I hope to catch the Druid Hill Pool performances July 24-25 but the Patterson Park shows the following weekend should be delightful as well. I was skeptical about paying $10 the first time I went, but the whole production is so amazingly complex, it is worth it.
• If you’re in town on Sunday, August 1, stop by the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House for their neighborhood Ice Cream Social from 2-5 pm. I’ve never been to the Flag House but this would be a great opportunity to check it out.

Other recurring events that promise big fun:
• I honestly can’t keep track of all the farmer’s markets in this area, but these are always a lot of fun. Towson and Irvine Nature Center (Owings Mills) host big ones on Thursdays, Waverly’s is on Saturday, and of course the big downtown market takes place each Sunday.
• Swimming in the city’s municipal pools can be a refreshing way to cool off. I’m so happy they are able to stay open this summer (until 7:00 pm Monday-Saturday and 6:00 on Sunday)—despite threats to the Parks & Rec budget—because the Roosevelt Park Pool in Hampden is beyond awesome. I love it!
• Outdoor movies across the city. I’ve been to the Hopkins, Cross Keys and Wyman Park Dell series but have yet to check out the free outdoor movies at Little Italy, AVAM or Fells Point.
• If you haven’t already been to Taharka Bros. Ice Cream in Mount Washington, you must go!! Delicious flavors, generous servings at reasonable prices, awesome location (just off the light rail, next to Whole Foods), and wonderful mission. Check out their mobile cart and local festivals—but make a point to stop by their retail space some time.
• Pretty much every county in Maryland will be hosting a county fair this summer, so check each county’s department of commerce webpage for some smaller-scale local fun.
• First Thursday concerts at the monument in Mount Vernon
• First Fridays on the Avenue in Hampden—a classic
• Rent a paddleboat or canoe for $9/hr at Centennial Park in Howard County.
• Go on a day trip to Gettysburg! So awesome that this historic battleground is just over an hour from Baltimore.

I hope everyone has been out enjoying the lovely springtime weather which graces the Mid-Atlantic this time of year. It has been just perfect for a bike ride on the Jones Falls Trail, a walk around Druid Hill, or a backyard BBQ! Love that.

Unfortunately I missed out on the Sheep & Wool Festival last weekend but caught the Kinetic Sculpture Race as well as a day trip to Emmitsburg. The latter is a small town in Frederick County, only about 15 minutes from Gettysburg (PA). A lovely place if you are ever out that way. I’m also happy that the downtown Farmer’s Market has begun for the season! Make sure to check that out on Sunday morning until noon.





Of course, there are a smattering of goings-on taking place in the next few weeks, including:
• Maryland Film Festival this weekend
• Also this weekend, the 93rd annual Flower Mart at the Monument. I went today on my lunch break and bought myself some Taharka Bros ice cream...yum!
• Open House at the Danish Embassy in DC on Saturday, May 8, featuring the theme of Danish architecture.
• Also Saturday, May 8 is From Mountains to Maryland: The Appalachian Out-migration to Baltimore, at the Creative Alliance. Part of their Urban/Appalachia project.
• Mother’s Day, of course, is this Sunday…don’t forget to send some flowers, make a card or call your mom!
• The Preakness Parade and Race, a long-standing Maryland tradition, on May 15
• The opportunity to see Baltimore’s unique folk art with the leading authority on the subject will take place at the Painted Screens Pilgrimage, also on May 15. Read more below!

I want to share a bit about the activities of Maryland Traditions, a program that celebrates the folk and traditional arts of our fine state. Staffed by the talented folklorists Elaine Eff and Cliff Murphy at the Maryland State Arts Council, they offer a master and apprenticeship program in traditional arts each year as well as a variety of individual events, meetings and smaller programs. They study and sustain the many traditions that make Baltimore—and all of Maryland—the quirky, charming, colorful place it is.

I plan on attending Cliff’s From Mountains to Maryland: The Appalachian Out-migration to Baltimore event this weekend and am really interested in the CA’s Urban/Appalachia project. According to their website, Urban/Appalachia “unearths stories and songs of decades of migration between Baltimore and Appalachia, and unveils new collaborations across seemingly oppositional cultures.”

And a bit more about Elaine’s Painted Screen Pilgrimage on May 15. Although $35 sounds steep for those of us without a lot of disposable income, this is really going to be a fantastic opportunity to get up close and personal with the foremost expert on Southeast Baltimore’s famous folk art form of painted window screens. After a continental breakfast and film screening, a bus will take tour goers from Little Bohemia to Fells Point. The tour begins and ends at The Patterson (Highlandtown). Enjoy!!

The annual Maryland Traditions Gathering & Showcase is another big event to look out for, coming up on June 10 at the Creative Alliance. More details to follow, but mark it on your calendars now!

One final note: I stumbled upon this wonderful cut-out map of Baltimore on etsy the other day…how beautiful is it?

SPRINGTIME events!!

As per usual, Baltimore has almost too many awesome things to do this spring! A few I’m looking forward to:

• Free lectures at the Village Learning Place. This Thursday, April 15: the Star-Spangled Banner and music in Baltimore around 1812, by David Hildebrand.
• The CityLit Festival at Enoch Pratt’s downtown branch, this Saturday April 17. Including the Letters About Literature awards and authors like Elizabeth Kostova.
• 7th Annual Baltimore Green Week, April 17-24. Featuring EcoFest at Druid Hill Park, 12-6 p.m. [Who doesn’t love Druid Hill this time of year?! So gorgeous!]
• The Local DanceMakers series sponsored by the Effervescent Collective. At Load of Fun on North Ave on April 17, 24 and May 1. If you missed their playful live action version of Dirty Dancing at the Annex last month, make sure you check this out. These young Goucher grads are making an impression on the Baltimore dance scene already.
• Gwen Ifill at Goucher on Tuesday, April 20. Tickets are free but must be reserved.
• The Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival at Howard County Fairgrounds, May 1 & 2. I don’t even knit but can’t wait to check it out!
• Of course, the Kinetic Sculpture Race on May 1. Sponsored by the American Visionary Art Museum, this quirky parade of larger-than-life mobile sculptures is ridiculous and wonderful. I like to catch them as they go through Patterson Park, although they make their way through most of town!
• Sitting the park (any park, but especially Wyman Park, Druid Hill, or Sherwood Gardens) and enjoying the sunshine, and checking out the new cafe in Remington (inside Miller's Court on 25th and Howard) called Charmington's.


What are you doing this spring?

Also, has anyone ever been to Baltimore Clayworks in Mount Washington? I went there the other day and I must say, it was totally worth the $3 suggested donation for an awesome exhibit by local artists—plus an excuse to get some Taharka Bros ice cream down the street!! Clayworks is doing great things for our fair city.

Springtime in Baltimore!?

With a hint of spring in the air, we find ourselves in early March! Here are some exhibits and events coming up, but I think if it's nice out this weekend I might just plop myself down in a park and try to enjoy the sunshine instead!

-Tonight: dreamy Norwegian crooner Sondre Lerche will be at DC's Rock and Roll Hotel. I would love to go if tickets weren't $20/each!
-Don't miss the County Mountain Blues concert on Wednesday, March 10 at the Village Learning Place.
-This Sunday, March 7, there will be a volunteer clean-up event in Remington! If you're looking to do some good in a local neighborhood, join the crew of Hopkins volunteers and residents at Kromer Hall (27th and Huntingdon) at 9:30 am.
-On March 18 is another Baltimore History Evening at the Village Learning Place in Charles Village, this time featuring Wayne Schaumburg talking about the Great Baltimore Fire. Free and awesome!
-The Romare Bearden exhibit at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum--"From Process to Print: Graphic Works by Romare Bearden"--sounds awesome. It runs January 16 – March 28. I've still never been to this museum but I've heard great things! I love Romare Bearden's bright, playful work.
-The Cezanne and American Modernism exhibit at the BMA promises to be a good one too! Up until May 23. If you're a big Cezanne fan check out this Sunday's free lecture called Cézanne: A Beacon of Modernity. March 7, 3–4 p.m.
-If you're a history buff or just want to do a great thing for students in Maryland, volunteer to judge at Maryland History Day! The national history research contest for middle and high schoolers will be taking place on Saturday, April 24th at UMBC. We are looking for Humanities scholars, teachers, librarians, museum professionals, history buffs and other experts to judge and anyone to volunteer. Judges review projects, interview student contestants, determine the winners, and provide written, constructive feedback. If you're interested, sign up online: http://md.nhd.org/ud/templates/register.php.

In other news:
"One Maryland/One Book" is a program of the Maryland Humanities Council that seeks to get all Marylanders to read the same book at the same time! The 2010 book was just selected--pick up your copy of "Outcasts United" by Warren St. John today!

Also, if you haven't heard about the proposed Wal-Mart to sit atop the Lowe's development in lower Remington (dubbed "25th Street Station"), read all about it.

blizzard of 2010

i hope everyone is safe and sound after this weekend's blizzard. here are a few shots to capture the craziness:

a video by 3sonsproductions via b'more connected:

Snowpocalypse in Baltimore (Timelapse) from Yianni Mathioudakis on Vimeo.

Well, we knew the storm was coming, and it sure did come. A total of 25 inches of snowfall in Baltimore. This time-lapse video started on Friday, 3:38pm (2/4/2010) and ended on Saturday, 5:30pm (2/5/2010). The street is S. Bouldin in Canton.

Camera: Nikon D90
Music: Shapes of My Heart by 3 Sons Productions
http://soundcloud.com/3sonsproductions/shapes-of-my-heart

www.3sonsproductions.com

some shots from around remington (which i haven't left since thursday):

Baltimore this winter

Happy 2010!


I apologize for the extremely long hiatus-- I finally wrapped up my undergraduate career at Goucher and was swamped in reading and writing last semester. I'll begin again with a brief list of things I've been enjoying this winter:

-The snow! What's with all the snow we've been getting this winter? I totally enjoyed the blizzard that hit in December, but only because I finally made it home for the holidays without too many problems. If I really had to be somewhere in a hurry, I'm sure I would have found it frustrating!




-Tumblr: this graphic-based blogging portal is awesome. I get sucked in and spend a lot of time online. The huge number of talented artists, photographers, graphic designers and other bloggers is certainly impressive! I have also been working on putting together a portfolio of my photography. You can check it out here.
-Job search: I've spent the past few months looking for a post-graduation job in Baltimore. Although I can't say I've necessarily been enjoying the search, I am happy to report that I have finally secured a place for myself in the real world by piecing together several part-time jobs: Visitor Services at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore (located in historic Druid Hill Park), serving as a Program Assistant the Maryland Humanities Council (a lovely organization promoting the study of humanities, located between the Maryland Historical Society and the Walters Art Gallery), and in the Office of Student Engagement at Goucher. If you are currently looking for a job (or will be soon), check out the Central Maryland Career Fair at Towson University on February 19.
-Grano pasta bar's new reservation only location seems ultra-fancy and out of my price range. Their pocket-sized location on the Avenue, however, is adorable, cozy and much more my speed.
Holidays in Hampden: It feels cliche, but Hampden is so charming at Christmastime!! I loved shopping (or just window shopping) at the simply lovely (and unfortunately quite expensive) home store Red Tree, munching on raspberry cookies and heavenly coffee at Common Ground, and seeing the lights on 34th street.


-Walking around previously unknown (to me) neighborhoods, including the Stone Hill Historic District--tucked between Remington and Hampden on the Jones Falls (including the awesome Mill Center on Chestnut Avenue)-- plus vacant areas on the East and West sides (near Carroll Park in SoWeBo, Collington Square/American Brewery, etc.). Good photo ops, better way to know my city!






-Neighborhood involvement: GRIA, the neighborhood association in Remington, is an awesome collection of individuals who genuinely care about the future of this area. We''ve been working on a master plan/vision with the Neighborhood Design Center and have recently been busy discussing the proposed Lowe's development in Lower Remington. I still have mixed feelings about the big box retailer moving into this residential area, but it's been awesome to talk it over with other residents. I also took advantage of Greater Homewood's Neighborhood Instititute and want to get involved in Envision Baltimore, which informs and promotes transportation and other issues through multimedia like videos (modeled after Street Films).
-The Collegetown Shuttle: After many long mornings waiting for the MTA bus, I can't get over how nice it is to have access to free, efficient transportation! The morning driver, Chip, is beyond awesome. I am really looking forward to trying out the Charm City Circulator as well!
-Walters and BMA: I am still impressed that these two institutions are free! So awesome!
-Urbanite: This month's issue on race features two goucher grads on the cover!
-Hulu.com: I'm working my way through their (free!) movies.

Things I am looking forward to:
-The Vancouver 2010 Olympics start February 12! I can't wait!! *If anyone has an extra TV that I could borrow to watch the Olympics, let me know!
-Architectural Confectionary Contest at the Museum of Industry on February 13. Not quite sure what this is but it sounds intriguing. The museum is totally worth going to regardless of the contest.
-Life & Liberty Ball at AVAM, also Feb. 13. (This one costs $ so I probably won't make it...but it sounds great!)
-Cabin Fever Festival in Frederick, Feb. 13 & 14.
-American Craft Council show in Baltimore, Feb. 25-8. (I'll be working at it!)
-National Outdoor Show: Come see the world muskrat skinning competition and Miss Outdoors beauty pageant at this annual Dorchester County showcase. (Eastern Shore) Topic of the documentary, Muskrat Lovely. Feb. 26-7. This is sure to be ridiculous!
-Spring!
-The opening of Charmington's, a cafe in Miller's Court-- not too far from us! I think the coffeeshop will be such a nice addition to the neighborhood!
-A new mayor? Today is Sheila D's last day...