Baltimore Boat Parade

Be sure to make it down to the Inner Harbor Saturday night (Dec 3rd) at 6PM for the 24th annual Lighted Boat Parade.

Website

Here's the route the boats will take (so choose anywhere along the shore to check it out):

Christmas in Federal Hill

Federal Hill has a few things coming up next week...

On Friday, December 9th (8PM-Midnight), more than 20 stores and galleries will be open with sales and treats. Keep an eye out for Christmas carolers.  The next morning at 11AM until 3PM, Santa visits Cross Street Market with face painting and crafts for the kids.

Baltimore's Website with a nice summary

Federal Hill Website

Night of 100 Elvises

This Friday and Saturday is the annual "Night of 100 Elvises" at Lith Hall in West Baltimore.  Make sure to check it out for a great (though a bit interesting) Baltimore experience.

Here's the website for the event:
http://nightof100elvises.com/

Mercy Holiday Lights

Mercy will be turning on the lights in Preston Gardens tomorrow night (November 29th) at 5:30PM.  Stop by if you are in the area!

Christmas Events This Week!

This Thursday night at 7:45PM, the Washington Monument in Baltimore comes alive with fireworks, laser lights, and music (not to mention the Christmas lights).  This is the 40th year for the lighting, so make sure to get there by 7PM for the music and food.  There's no bigger Christmas event in the city!

Click Here for more info on the lighting.

Click Here for video from last year



Also this weekend, you'll find the Aquarium and Science Center admission is only $1 (Saturday and Sunday).  And don't forget...The power plant laser and light show goes every night until Christmas including weekdays!

Click Here for more info on It's a Waterfront Life (Inner harbor happenings)

Finally, make sure to keep an eye on the calendar embedded on the right side of the blog here for more events coming up around town.

Orioles first game (1954)

This is an original clipping from the Baltimore Sun of the Orioles first game (and first win, 3-1).  The game was played on April 15th (a Thursday), and this is the Service Edition Sunday Paper from the 18th.

Amazing to find stuff like this around the house...time to get it framed.

DC United to Baltimore?

One proposal for the Westport waterfront

With the MLS becoming the third most popular sport in the US (by average attendance), Baltimore could be in a position in the near future to cash in.  DC United are currently stuck paying one of the highest amounts in the league for a sub-par stadium.  United has worked extensively with the district, but no new stadium plan has surfaced.  Enter Baltimore...

Baltimore offers a streamlined process and a fantastic waterfront property to build a stadium.  Sitting alongside 395, 95, and the light rail, Westport is primed for development.

Slightly different proposal

Only last month, Baltimore soccer fans were polled by the MLS about the possibility (read about it here).  Surely this is a sign...

Baltimore bike share is coming!

Baltimore has set in motion plans to install 250 bikes (in 30 stations) around the city next summer.

This is definitely a positive "green" step along with the push for additional marked bike lanes, Zip Cars, the Charm City Circulator, and charging stations in city garages.  Let's hope the trend continues!  The base price for membership will probably be in the $60 a year price range, though discounts do exist for students, seniors, etc.  You can also buy a 24 hour and multi-day memebership, which will be very useful for tourists visiting Baltimore.

Tree Hugger article

Union Mill

One by one each of the mills, warehouses, and homes in the JFX "valley" are becoming amazing.  The architecture is already fantastic, so all that is needed is someone to come along with a vision to bring it back.  I can remember driving falls road and seeing nothing but abandoned buildings years ago...not the case anymore.

The latest example is the 145 year old Union Mill.  What sets Union Mill apart from other developments nearby (like the nearby Clipper Mill) is that Union Mill is geared to teachers.

From the Baltimore Sun:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-union-mill-20111121,0,4619689.story

"Teachers at public and private schools, who work with students from kindergarten through 12th grade, received a $300 discount for one-bedroom units and a $600 discount for two bedrooms. If a spouse, roommate or partner is not a teacher, the discount is lower.
One-bedroom apartments go for $765 to $918 a month with the teacher discount. Two-bedroom units are $1,475 to $1,575."

Mid-Atlantic Beer Festival

Taking place at the Pratt Street Ale House on December 10th, the 10 year old beer fest will feature 11-16 breweries (including my favorite...Brewers Art)!  Tickets are $40 each for beer and food.  The event sells out each year, so go buy your ticket now!

And here's the link to purchase tickets and find out more info:
http://www.missiontix.com/events/product/13056/mid-atlantic-holiday-beer-festival

Powerplant Holiday Show

Starting this Saturday night, the Powerplant building at the inner harbor will be starting up their holiday show!

From their website:
"Power Plant Holiday Light Show Spectacular, Saturday, November 19 – Saturday December 31, Sunday – Thursday: 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, Friday – Saturday: 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm


Power Plant lights up the Inner Harbor this holiday season with an unforgettable display of lights, lasers, music and more! Sure to become downtown’s most electrifying attraction, you won’t want to miss this must-see event!"

New Logo closeup

Here's a close-up of the new logo for the Orioles (which will be put on the players caps).  After thinking on it, I guess I'd have to say I'm happy with it overall.

Tall Ship in Baltimore this weekend

The 97 year old, 323' tall ship HNoMS Statsraad Lehmkuhl will be in the inner harbor this weekend (Nov 17th-20th).  You'll be able to board the ship on Friday and Saturday from Noon until 4PM, so go check it out!

http://www.sailbaltimore.org/

Baltimore Restaurant Week (Winter)

Pencil it in...Baltimore Restaurant week is January 20th-29th, 2012.  Check out their site here:
http://www.baltimorerestaurantweek.com/

Note:  lower price dinner options are now mixed in.  3 courses for either $20.12 or $30.12!

Orioles new Logo/Uniform!

While I love the orange uniform, the updated cartoon bird leaves a little to be desired. I wish the bill of the hat on the bird were a little shorter, and that the border were a little thinner. That nit-picking aside, I'm excited to see these on the field for the 20th season in Oriole Park at Camden Yards!

Sun article with video:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bal-orioles-uniforms-1115,0,652236.story

Bromo Seltzer Visual Art

Starting November 5th, and going for at least 5 weeks, the Bromo Seltzer tower will be projecting images on the 4 clock faces after sunset. Make sure to look up and check it out!