Baltimore Grows

All this talk about crabs has got me thinking of shells. Not hardshell crabs, mind you- rowhouse “shells”.

A “shell” is a rowhouse that has the brickwork and roof and structure still in good shape, but the interior could range from completely gutted to very tatty to very decent. You’re gonna get the biggest bang for your housing buck in a shell. A good shell isn’t easy to find.

Mortgage lenders won’t lend on a house that isn’t up to code. So unless you’re buying a shell for cash, you have to find one that’s in (at least somewhat) livable condition. This means that the electric and plumbing and heating are operational. Finding that “sweet spot” of a shell that’s a bargain and up to code yet still below market price is the Holy Grail of Real Estate.

If you want to go shell hunting with me, what I ask is that you sign a standard “Buyer’s Agency” agreement and also that you have a letter from a lender saying you’re credit worthy. I’m on the prowl for the perfect shell… anyone want to tag along?

http://www.joshuaberlow.com/real2.htm

Looking for more BYOB spots? Check Metromix.com: http://baltimore.metromix.com/restaurants/article/high-5-byob/312314/content

For outdoor films, see this story on Metromix.com: http://baltimore.metromix.com/movies/roundup/fresh-air-films/417854/content

Keeping with the theme…here’s another way to save a buck or two: Go to BYOB restaurants. The Winesource in Hampden has started putting together a list of BYO places. Follow this link: http://www.the-wine-source.com/byor.htm

Be sure to call ahead and double check.? For instance Dogwood recently got their liquor licence and I don’t think it’s BYO anymore.? Also I think Joy America in the American Visionary Arts Museum may have closed.

To add to the list, recently opened Grano restaurant in Hampden is also BYOB.? Grano is at 1031 W. 36th St. 443-669-3429, and serves simple, but delicious, pasta dishes.

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

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If the economy has you worried, don’t fret too much.? Baltimore has tons of stuff to do that’s absolutely free.? Here’s just to name a few.? If you’ve got suggestions of free stuff that’s fun, please post it as a comment.

1) Free Movies – In locations all across Baltimore…grab a blaket or a folding chair and catch a free film after dusk.? Films are offered in Federal Hill, Fells Point, Charles Village, and Little Italy.? Follow this link for a schedule:? http://baltimore.about.com/od/events/a/freefilms.htm

2) Free Museums – In case you hadn’t heard, the Baltimore Museum of Art and the Walters Art Gallery are free now.? If you haven’t been since high school…then you’re in trouble and you should go.? http://www.thewalters.org/? and? http://www.artbma.org/

3) Artscape – It’s the biggest festival of its kind in the Nation and it’s this weekend!? It’s even bigger this? year since it’s expanded to the Station? North? area. ? www.artscape.org

4) Go to the park – Federal Hill, Patterson Park, and Ft. McHenry (free as long as you don’t go into the fort)? are rich in history.? Get a local history lesson instead of heading to Gettysburg.

5) Ride your bike – Check out Baltimore’s Gwynns Falls and Jones Falls bike trails and see the city from an angle you’ve never seen before.

6) Look at trees – Well…more than just trees…Cylburn Arboretum is a hidden gem in Baltimore City. http://www.cylburnassociation.org/index.htm

7) Brush up on your poetry – Visit the Edgar Allen Poe House and Gravesite http://www.ci.baltimore.md.us/government/historic/poehouse.php? and http://www.nps.gov/edal/

8.) Climb the Washington Monument (the one in Baltimore of course) -? They ask for a $1 donation, but it might as well be free.? The view is almost as good as the World Trade Center but a fraction of the cost.? http://www.baltimoremuseums.org/washington.html

9) Hampton National Historic Site – Ok this one isn’t in Baltimore City…it’s in Towson, but it’s free if you can afford the tank of gas out there.? http://www.nps.gov/hamp/

10) Inner Harbor – Chances are that you probably haven’t been there in a while.? Chill out and watch the tourists go by.? http://www.baltimore.to/baltimore.html

11) Visit the library – The central branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library is huge.? Maybe it’s time to check it out if your days of sipping lattes at the Barnes and Noble? are through.

12) Visit your local market – Lexington Market, Cross Street, Broadway, Hollins, Northeast…etc.? Baltimore’s historic markets are always bustling with activity and interesting sights and smells.? It’s tough to get away without buying something, but prices seem a bit cheaper than going to the grocery store.

I actually surprised myself coming up with this many items.? Again, add a comment if there’s something that you know of that I didn’t post.

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

Your Neighbors Could be Worse…? Check out this story from the Baltimore Sun.? This sounds like a situation that can be solved by a few local teenagers willing to work in the middle of the night (not that we condone that type of thing).? This is in Howard County not Baltimore, but I think many Baltimore residents can relate.

A plastic flamingo too far
Neighbors angry over woman’s choice in yard decorations

By Larry Carson |Sun reporter

July 12, 2008

On a quiet, wooded street of well-kept homes, Erin Alban’s front yard is a sight to behold – but for all the wrong reasons, her Howard County neighbors said.

Stuffed animals and signs, some with religious slogans, cover virtually the entire yard, the house and the carport. Used-car-lot-style pennants run between trees.

Plastic reindeer. Smiley faces painted on the driveway. Lampshades tied to bushes. And, protruding from what had been the mailbox support, a bent plastic middle finger. Draped above it is a foot-long belt of rusted bullet shells.

“It is awful. That’s what it is,” said Jo Ann Norris, Alban’s next-door neighbor at the dead-end of Taylor Park Road in Sykesville. “I honestly think she goes Dumpster collecting every day.”

Full Story on Balt. Sun

Where’s the best place to eat crabs in Maryland? It’s a topic that always brings up interesting discussion and debate. Baltimore Magazine recently published their annual (I think it’s annual) list of top crab houses in Maryland. And the Baltimore Sun also recently put up their top 10 crab house list. There’s 16 on Baltimore Magazine’s list, 6 in Baltimore city (or very close) and 10 in various counties. 6 crab houses made both lists.

I’ve only been to 6 on the list, so I’ll have to try some others this summer. If I had to pick one place in the world to eat steamed crabs it would be Cantler’s on the Magothy River. If I had to pick one place in/near the city it would be Mr. Bills for quality, or Nick’s for atmosphere and outdoor seating. Curious to hear your comments on favorite places. I did have some “wet”crabs at Nicks once, but got them to take them off the bill. I’ve had crabs from Harris’ a few times and they’re always good.

I’m surprised L.P. Steamers made both lists. I’ve eaten there a couple times and been disappointed. I also happen to live about 100 feet from the restaurant – most of my neighbors have the same opinion. I had the worst cream of crab soup I’ve had in my life there. Perhaps we should give their crabs another chance. I’m also surprised Bo Brooks didn’t make the list. I’ve never eaten there but I know it’s a popular spot for crabs.

Baltimore Magazine’s Top Crab Houses

• Cantler’s Riverside Inn, Annapolis
• Harris Crab House, Grasonville
• L.P. Steamers, Locust Point
• Mike’s Bar & Crab House, 3030 Old Riva Road, Riva
• Nick’s Fish House, 2600 Insulator Drive, Baltimore
• CJ’s Crabhouse and Grill, 10117 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills
• Mr. Bill’s Terrace Inn, 200 Eastern Boulevard, Essex
• The Crackpot Seafood Restaurant, 8102 Loch Raven Boulevard, Towson/Parkville
• Reter’s Crab House and Grille509 Main Street, Reisterstown
• The SeaSide Restaurant Crab House and Lounge, 224 N. Crain Highway, Glen Burnie
• Canton Dockside, 3301 Boston Street,
• Costas Inn, 4100 North Point Boulevard, Dundalk
• Gunning’s Seafood Restaurant, 7304 Parkway Drive, Hanover
• Obrycki’s, 1727 E. Pratt Street
• Ocean Pride Restaurant & Carryout, 1534 York Road, Lutherville

Baltimore Sun – Dining at Large’s Top 10 Crab Houses

• Cantler’s near Annapolis
• Captain James Landing between Canton and Fells Point
• Costas in Dundalk
• Gunning’s in Hanover
• L.P. Steamers in Locust Point
• Mr. Bill’s Terrace Inn in Essex
• Nick’s Fish House in Baltimore
• Obrycki’s downtown
• Pier Street Marina in Oxford
• Schultz’s in Essex

Two recent newspaper articles highlighted development efforts in the Park Heights neighborhood and at the BCCC campus downtown.? Follow the links below.

http://www.jewishtimes.com/index.php/jewishtimes/news/jt/cover_story/heights_of_redevelopment/

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http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-te.md.redevelop09jul09,0,7957844.story

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Two long-standing restaurants have recently closed their inner-harbor locations. California Pizza Kitchen closed at the end of June, following Capital City Brewing Company’s exit last year (okay not so recent). After 10 years at it’s inner harbor location, CPKs closing is surprising because every time I walked by it business seemed good. I’m guessing they are holding out for a better option downtown with cheaper rent. But it will be hard to beat that location during the summer tourist season. Hunt Valley and Annapolis are now the closest CPK locations to Baltimore. Pictured: “The Original BBQ Pizza” – Good stuff.

The Baltimore Business Journal reported that H&S properties is planning a 280 room Westin Hotel as part of their Harbor Point project adjacent to Harbor East. The article also seems to confirm that the developers will be courting a high end department store, possibly Barneys, to anchor the retail portion of the project. Previous rumors suggested that H&S was also courting Neiman Marcus. With this news, it seems that the Southeast side of the harbor could become the new mecca for shopping in Baltimore, desperately needed since the decline of Howard street over the past few decades.

Click Here to Read the Article

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com