Ravens Fans - Come out for the Today Show

Calling all Ravens fans:  You are needed to show how much heart Baltimore has.  Tomorrow (Friday, February 1st), the Today Show will be filming at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater from 6-9AM.  They will also be doing the same thing in San Francisco, so we can't be outdone.  Get your purple and get out there!  Here's the link for more info.

Baltimore Bohemians Moving to Baltimore!

When I first saw the black and yellow jerseys, complete with the face of Mr. Boh and a Baltimore crest with a crab and black eyed susan, I was thrilled.  After then finding out they played in Bel Air, sadness set in.  No longer!  The Baltimore Bohemians are moving the team to play at Loyola University's Ridley Athletic Complex right here in the city for the 2013 season.  The home opener with be on Wednesday, May 29th vs the Central Jersey Spartans at 7PM.  That gives you plenty of time to go get your Jersey, Tees, and Scarves HERE.  Let's Go Bohs!

TEDx Baltimore Review

by Josh M.

“I went from the PTA to sex therapist,” stated Lois Feinblatt, at the TEDxBaltimore event on January 25. Feinblatt  is grandmotherly looking 91 year old woman who started her career screening prospective adoptive parents and transitioned to be a human sexuality therapist in the 1960’s. She was one of the 21 presenters at TEDxBaltimore and provided the audience with laughs as she told her story and described how she has seen Baltimore, and the world, change since 1921.

If you are not aware of the wonder that is TED.com, now is the time to learn! TED conferences bring together the world’s leading thinkers and doers for a series of talks, presentations and performances with a maximum time of 18 minutes. TED events have been called “a clearing house of free knowledge and inspiration.”

Baltimore Hotel Week (Feb 8-18)

 

It's cold out.  That tends to mean you stay inside and start to feel a bit of cabin fever by February.  Time to get out of the house and be a tourist in your own town.  Baltimore Hotels are offering packages for nights from $99 on the week of February 8th to the 18th.  Some of these packages include things like a bottle of wine or champagne, dinner for two, gift cards, breakfast, and parking.  If you stay two nights you get two free passes to your choice of one of the following:

• The National Aquarium AND the Maryland Science Center (just imagine standing in the Australian exhibit to warm yourself up!).
• Fort McHenry, the Maryland Historic Society, AND the Star Spangled Banner Flag House.
• Frederick Douglas - Isaac Myers Maritime Park, the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum, AND the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture.
• American Visionary Art Museum AND the Babe Ruth Birthplace.

Hotels that are included have a good range of prices and locations around the downtown.  Links provided are directly to the hotel, but click the link after the list to see the package deals:

• Hotel Monaco
• The Admiral Fell Inn
• Hotel Brexton
• Pier 5 Hotel
• Inn at Henderson's Wharf
• Hilton Baltimore
• Hyatt Regency
• Sheraton Inner Harbor
• Tremont Suites
• Inn at Colonnade
• Sheraton City Center
• Days Inn - Inner Harbor
• Holiday Inn - Inner Harbor
• Best Western

Click Here to check out the hotel packages and to reserve rooms.

Ravens Super Bowl Sendoff Rally

Come down to the Inner Harbor Amphitheater (Light St at Pratt St) on Monday, January 28th and send the Ravens off to New Orleans right!  Activities start at 11:30AM, but show up early to get a good spot (some outdoor entertainment starts at 10:30 anyway).  Get a chance to former Ravens from the 2000 champions along with current players, coaches, cheerleaders, mascots, and the marching band.  Ray Lewis is expected at 12:15PM.  If you're a real Ravens fan, you need to be there.

CONCACAF Gold Cup Coming to Baltimore This Summer!

Attention all soccer fans:  The Baltimore Business Journal is reporting that Baltimore has landed a match this summer sometime between July 7th-28th.  Meaningful national matches make for great games!

Baltimore Restaurant Week starts Friday

It's that time of the winter to check out some new places around town.  What's better than lunch for $15.13 or Dinner for $20.13 or $30.15 at some of the best eateries in the region?

Go to http://www.baltimorerestaurantweek.com/ to check out the set menus for every participating restaurant (and even book your reservations for most).

Everyman Theater - Opening Night

I was invited to attend the first opening night of the new Everyman Theater on 315 West Fayette on Friday Night.  When you approach, there's no missing the theater (even if the spotlights hadn't been on).  The neoclassical terra cotta and granite exterior has been restored to a point that it looks better than it did even when it opened in 1911 as the Empire Theater.  Side note:  After a few years of vaudeville performances, the theater became a burlesque house, parking garage, movie theater (opening with It's a Wonderful Life with Jimmy Stewart and Frank Capra in attendance), and was finally closed in 1990.

RIP Earl Weaver

The city of Baltimore lost one of it's best icons today.  RIP Earl Weaver.  Thank you for giving us a reason to cheer.

Ravens Rally Today at Inner Harbor

Make your way downtown to the Gallery (200 East Pratt st) from 12-12:45PM today to get pumped up for the Ravens.  Meet the Ravens Cheerleaders, Mascot, the Band, and others!  Oh, and don't forget to wear purple!

Charm City Folk and Bluegrass Festival 2013

This April 27th, Baltimore Management Agency and Union Craft Brewing are helping to put on the 1st Annual Charm City Folk and Bluegrass Festival.  An all-day festival with great music at an awesome local brewery just steps from the Light Rail (Woodberry stop) you say?  Sounds good to me.  There are still a limited number Early Bird tickets available before prices jump, so go buy some here.  The VIP Early Bird tickets are almost sold out, so get them quick to take advantage of the beer and food vouchers.  Also, make sure to follow the Facebook page for more updates as the festival gets closer.  Remember that this and many more city events are listed in the local events calendar to the right.

Volunteer on the Pride of Baltimore II

The Pride of Baltimore II could use your help.  Believe it or not, there's quite a bit of sanding, oiling, varnishing, painting, and tarring to do on a wooden ship when you don't keep it in a glass bottle.  That's why the crew is reaching out to anyone with time free and a good back.  They're doing work this weekend, so give them an email at Jamie@pride2.org.

Here's the official call for volunteers on their Facebook page:

 

Ray Lewis Light Show

In case you missed it (and in honor of the win on Saturday), here's a little Ray Lewis light show on the side of the waterfront Marriott in Harbor East.  Let's Go Ravens!

204th Poe Birthday Bash

Calling all Poe-lovers!  Gather on January 19th to celebrate the man on his 204th birthday.  The party will be held at Westminster Hall, with Poe's final resting place just outside. Tickets are $25 if you buy now, $35 at the door.  For an absolute ton of info on the event (including a list of authors, speakers, and actors who will be there), go to the official website.

Build, Remodel, & Landscape Expo 2013

If you're going to be doing any work to your home or garden this year, you need to stop by the Build, Remodel, & Landscape Expo on January 18-20th at the Baltimore Convention Center.  You can find information and a slew of great ideas presented through local vendors and great seminars.  If you submit your email through the official website, you can receive a discounted admission (normal price is only $6, and free for anyone under 18).

TEDx Baltimore

January 25th brings TED to Baltimore.  If you're not familiar, TED is all about spreading ideas that are worth spreading.  Come hear the thought leaders of our area as they look to change Baltimore.

For more info on TEDxBaltimore, go here.
For more info on TED, go here.  This site has some great videos to check out.

Disney on Ice for $1

If you're willing and available to wait in line tomorrow at 10AM, there are 450 $1 tickets to Disney on Ice.  That's a great deal.  From the 1st Mariner Facebook page:

Disney On Ice fans will have a chance to purchase tickets for just $1 to the Disney On Ice presents Treasure Trove show coming to Charm City from February 6-10. This incredible offer is available one-day-only at the Arena box office (Tomorrow, Tuesday, Jan. 8) while quantities last (a total of 450 tickets will be available). Those that don’t get the $1 dollar deal will get a $5 savings on tickets to any performance.

Orioles Fanfest 2013

On January 19th you can get your winter dose of baseball without a flight to Florida.  The Baltimore Convention Center turns orange for the Baltimore Oriole Fanfest 2013.  Doors open at 10AM for season ticket holders and 11AM for the general public.  Get a chance to see your favorite players (both past and present), get pictures with them, get their autographs, and get a chance to partake in some Q&A.  Click Here for some pictures from last year's snowy Fanfest.  To get tickets for 2013, go to official website for the event.  If you have season tickets (including the smaller 29 and 13 game plans), you get tickets to this event for FREE.

A special note about kids wanting autographs:  A special line is available for children ages 4-14.  Children can go through this line as many times as they like for free.

Pratt Black and White Party

Less than 50 tickets remain for the 20's themed party at the main Pratt Library on January 26th.  Buy yours now to be able to try the new Pratt Beer by Brewers Art!  Get your tickets HERE.