Baltimore Grows

With the impending blizzard, what else will there be to do other than a) shovel snow, and b) visit your local pub.  The answer is c) go sledding.  Here’s a list of the best places to go sledding in Baltimore.  Please feel free to add any that you know of in the comments section!

1. Baltimore County Board of Education (aka Greenwood) on Charles Street in Ruxton/Towson area of Baltimore County.  This was my favorite growing up. It’s about a 5 minute drive north of the city county line.  Watch out for the big ditch at the bottom!

2. Patterson Park – Near the Pagoda offers some good hills.  Great place to hobnob with the neighbors.  Adults and kids alike.  Also good place to join a snowball fight.

3. Federal Hill Park – Also a good place for a snowball fight. Be careful which hill to pick, as some will launch you out over Key Highway.

4. Suicide Hill – At the Baltimore Country Club (4712 Club Road) in Roland Park.  This has always been rated the best sledding hill in Baltimore, but rumor has it the club has constructed fences across the hill to keep would-be sledders away.  If do you try to go there, beware – it is trespassing.

5. Leakin Park – Off of Windsor Mill Road on Eagle Drive.  Past the tennis courts near the Crimea Mansion

6. Oregon Ridge State Park – 13401 Beaver Dam Road.  This is a former ski slope.

7. Herring Run Park – Harford Road and Argonne Dr. near Lake Montebello

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

Ever heard the term “there’s power in numbers”.  Well, there’s a website that’s turning that power into savings for you and me!  That site is Groupon.  The way is works is they post a different deal every day.  Some recent examples are $15 for $30 worth of food and drink at Blue Hill Tavern, $45 for a 1 hour massage at Apothecary Wellness Spa, and $15 for $35 worth of food and drink and Don’t Know Tavern in South Baltimore.  The businesses that are offering the deal require that a certain number of people sign up, once they have, the deal “tips” and you get the coupon…er…groupon that is.  The “groupon” is generally good for a year.  Otherwise, there’s no catch. 

They seem to post a lot of things for those of us that live within the Baltimore City limits.  It doesn’t cost you anything to join, so it’s worth checking out.  Follow the link below:

http://www.groupon.com/baltimore

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

According to an article in the Maryland Daily Record, the new Kona Grill to be constructed at the inner harbor will have a large patio facing Pratt Street.  Construction has started on the restaurant which will be located at the corner of Pratt and Light Streets in the Verizon Building.  Grand opening is set for this spring.  Although not officially part of the Pratt Street redesign proposed by Baltimore City, the new streetside dining in proximitiy the most prominent  intersection downtown is a step in the right direction of bringing street level activity to what has been considered by many as more of a thoroughfare.  Kona will join Capital Grill, PF Changs, Panera Bread, and Sullivans who also offer streetside dining nearby. 

Follow the link below to read the full article:

http://mddailyrecord.com/2010/01/27/kona-grill-to-bring-patio-dining-to-pratt-st/

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

HGTV contacted me asking to let you all know about their upcoming filming of Bang for your Buck in Baltimore. Info below.

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Have you recently renovated your KITCHEN?

Then HGTV is looking for you!

Home & Garden Television’s BANG FOR YOUR BUCK is looking for fun and enthusiastic homeowners in Baltimore, MD, to be a part of the show’s fourth season RIGHT NOW!

Renovations must have been completed within the last 2-3 years.

This episode will tour three remodels at similar price points ($20K-$120K) in the Baltimore area. We’ll bring in our HGTV celebrity designer and a local real estate expert to determine how the renovation impacts the value of each home. We’ll also provide viewers with expert advice, answers on remodeling values, and inspiring ideas for design.

We will be filming March 8^th-11^th.

Please send before/after pictures and the cost of the Kitchen renovation when you request an application

no later than Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010!

For more info, to send photos and to request an application, please email:

cortiz@highnoontv.com

Or call Cyndi at (303) 712-3177

Learn more at www.hgtv.com/bang

It seems like there have been a bunch of new restaurants and bars opening in Baltimore recently.  Here’s just to name a few:

Langermann’s – Canton – Located at the Can Company in Canton, this place took over what used to be Kiss Cafe.  They seemed to do a much better job of giving the place an identity and atmosphere, something that Kiss Cafe could never do.  It’s an “upscale casual” place, with white tablecloths, but a chill setting.  The bar looks like a cool/cozy place to hang out.  I was able to eat lunch there the other day, and the food was great.  It is pegged as “southern inspired global cuisine”.  The turkey apple and brie sandwich with smoky mountain pepper jam on raisin bread was to die for.  I will definitely be going back for dinner sometime.  http://www.langermanns.com/

Field House – Canton – Also at the can company is the newly opened Field House.  This took over the place where Ray Lewis’ used to be and is described as an “upscale sports bar”.  Field House has another location in Philadelphia. http://fieldhousebaltimore.com/

Milan - Little Italy -  Described as an ”upscale restaurant and lounge” this place just opened along Eastern Ave in Little Italy.  With a motto of “where food meets fashion” it sounds like it is a pretty trendy type of place.  The food is described as “Italian infused with Mediterranean flavors”.  They even have “Italian inspired sushi” sounds interesting!  A large patio make it look like this place will be really popular in the summer. http://www.onemilan.com/

Rowhouse Grille – Federal Hill – Recently opened along Light Street in Federal Hill/South Baltimore this cozy looking bar looks like a great place to pick up a drink and an inexpensive sandwich http://www.therowhousegrille.com/

Miguels – Locust Point – This will be the first restaurant to open in the new Silo Point Complex and they will serve Mexican tapas. http://www.miguelsbaltimore.com/ 

Ullswater - Riverside - From the former owners of The Bicycle, this is more low key than the Bicycle and more of a neighborhood place.  http://www.ullswaterrestaurant.com/

Sam’s Kid – Fells Point – near the food of Broadway, serving pan-asian cuisine.  So far its been getting great reviews.

Poe Boys Oyster Bar and Grille – Fells Point – This has opened up where Miss Irene’s used to be. http://www.poeboysfellspoint.com/

Tapas Adela - Fells Point – The new Spanish tapas place at the corner of Thames and Broadway is a member of the Kalisgroup.  If history rings true, then this place is bound to be successful.  The restaurant actually shares its kitchen with Meli around the corner and has been getting great reviews.

It’s nice to see that so many places have been opening considering the economy.  If you can afford it, please support your local restaurants and bars! 

Don’t forget Baltimore Restaurant Week runs from Jan 22nd through February 7th http://www.baltimorerestaurantweek.com/

Post a reply here if you’re able to make it to any of these places and let us know how it was!  Also if I missed anything, e-mail me and let me know, or post a reply.

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

There will be a public hearing this Tuesday, January 5th at 6:30 pm to discuss the fate of the historic Senator Theatre in Northern Baltimore City.  There will be four groups/developers that will present their plans for the theatre that were recently submitted to the Baltimore Development Corp.  The four proposals are as follows:

Baltimore, MD (November 23, 2009) – In response to a recently issued Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purchase/lease of the historic Senator Theatre, the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) today announced that it has received for four proposals.
The Senator Theatre, located at 5904-06 York Road in Northeast Baltimore, is within the Govanstowne business district, immediately adjacent to BelvedereSquare, a 161,000 square foot shopping and dining destination. The theatre site is 20,517 square feet with the building measuring 17,868 square feet.
Opened in 1939, the single-screen theatre, which seats approximately 900, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The following proposals were received:
1. The Lofts at the Senator Theatre
Developer/Operator: JR Owens Corporation (JR Owens)
This proposal calls for a mixed-use development that includes the renovation of the existing movie theatre along with new construction of 24 two bedroom/two bath rental apartments on three floors, 27 secure parking spaces in the basement of the new construction and existing retail space.
2. The Senator Theatre, LLC
Developer/Operator: James Cusack, Jr. and Kathleen C. Cusack (owners of the Charles
Theatre)
Architect: Alex Castro
The developer proposes to maintain the building as a single screen movie theatre, restaurant and crepe shop with alternates 1) that would provide for a second screen and an arts education area in the approximate 2,000 square foot triangle to the south of the theatre, and 2) a sliding glass door system in the front of the restaurant.
3. The Theatre Project PUPKIDS, Inc.
Developer/Operator: Noch-Noch, Productions (Enoch Cook III)
This proposal suggests the mixture of live performances and cinemaplex attractions simulating a staged Vaudeville Revue to attract interest in puppetry and puppeteers.
4. WTMD…..At The Senator
Developer/Operator: Senator Theatre Redevelopment, LLC (Towson University, Robert L.
Caret, President)
Architect: Zigner/Snead Architects
General Contractor: Whiting-Turner Construction
WTMD-FM, Towson University’s public radio station (focusing on contemporary music and arts) proposes to relocate to the Senator Theatre through a historically sensitive renovation of the interior, a new addition to the south side of the building as well as an expansion of existing space on the north side of the theatre. The Senator will be home to WTMD’s daily operations, as well as a schedule of films, educational activities, concerts and community events designed to reach people from all over the region. The station will connect and promote the events taking place in the theatre.
The proposals are being reviewed by BDC.

I for one would like to endorse the proposal by Towson University’s radio station WTMD.  Over the past 5 years, the non-profit WTMD has shown a huge commitment to Baltimore City and County by providing music and events that benefit all of its citizenry.  They have helped create a more vibrant community of music lovers to the area by introducing new artists to the local scene as well as promoting local artists nationwide.  WTMD is one of the institutions that helps make Baltimore a cool and funky place to live and it seems that their proposal to re-make the Senator Theatre into a multi-purpose venue will help them continue their mission.

I hope many of you can attend to show your support!

The University of Maryland Medical Center has launched a major renovation and expansion of the shock trauma center to meet growing demand in the region.  The R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center was the worlds first trauma center of its kind and continues to be the premier trauma center in the nation.  The project is expected to cost over 100 Million Dollars and will start in the spring.

According to the University of Maryland Website:

“The construction taking place at the University of Maryland Medical Center, located in Baltimore, consists of two projects.

The Trauma Critical Care and Emergency Medicine Services Expansion (Phase IV) will be a seven-story building with a full basement located on a 10,000 SF site. In total, 140,000 SF of new construction and 45,000 SF of renovation will be performed. This includes site work improvements, two new chillers and substations, relocation of an existing fuel tank, a new laboratory, nine new ORs, 18 new PACU beds, 64 new ICU beds, and a two-story penthouse with AHUs and substations.

The Shock Trauma Renewal Project (STC-R) consists of 67,000 SF of renovations and upgrades to the existing R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center. These include fire alarm and sprinkler upgrades, a rework of existing corridor HVAC, renovation of existing ICUs, penthouse infrastructure upgrades, and a helipad replacement.”

I was interviewed for a story broadcast on Channel 2 WMAR-TV this evening.

Although it is true that many houses have experienced a decline in value, this isn’t true for all houses in all neighborhoods. I pointed this out to Ms. Sterman but for some reason she didn’t see fit to include my remarks in this insightful report.

The interview took place in Baltimore County. Believe it or not, there are some houses in Baltimore City that have held their value, and even appreciated.

MD Home Values

Joshua Berlow

There’s a petition going around to bring the FIFA World Cup to Baltimore.  Baltimore has been on a bit of a Soccer roll recently.  Keep it going by clicking on the link below and signing the petition!

http://www.gousabid.com/city/local/baltimore-md/

There are 27 US cities competing for the game.  The Bid Committee will be narrowing the field down to 18 over the coming weeks, so don’t delay!

For a full list of cities, go here: http://www.gousabid.com/city

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

Our very own Patterson Park in Southeast Baltimore was recently named one of America’s 10 best urban parks by Forbes Magazine.  The park was listed alongside other famous parks such as New York’s Central Park, San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, Boston Commons, and Chicago’s Grant Park.  Patterson Park is surrounded by Baltimore neighborhoods such as Butchers Hill, Canton, Highlandtown, and of course the Patterson Park neighborhood itself.  It’s a wonderful achievement, since only a decade ago, the park was mostly known for drugs and prostitution.  Congratulations to the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks and to the Friends of Patterson Park who show us what can be achieved despite tight budgets!

Click Here to see the Forbes Slideshow

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com