Baltimore Grows

A chance to make a difference…

The Fresh Air Fund is in need of host families for this summer. Host families are volunteers who open their hearts and home to a child from the city to give them a Fresh Air experience that can change lives. If you could help to get the word out it would really help us place these wonderful children into a loving host family for an experience that can change their life.

Fresh Air Fund Programs

Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences in the country to more than 1.7 million New York City children from disadvantaged communities.  Each year, thousands of children visit volunteer host families in 13 states and Canada through the Friendly Town Program or attend one of five Fresh Air Fund camps.

The Friendly Town Program

Through The Fund’s Friendly Town program, close to 5,000 children visit volunteer host families each summer in rural and suburban communities.

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

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!

BALTIMORE – A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

M.J. “Jay” Brodie – President of the Baltimore Development Corp

Kirby Fowler – President of the Downtown Partnership

This November, AIA Baltimore welcomes Kirby Fowler – President of the Downtown Partnership and M.J. “Jay” Brodie – President of the Baltimore Development Corporation, to discuss their vision for the future of Baltimore, Baltimore’s position with respects to development and construction in the current economy, preparations for growth of population in the region related to BRAC, and opportunities for Architects, Engineers, and Contractors in the Baltimore Area.

The lecture will take place at 6:00 PM on November 10^th, 2009 at The Engineers Club in Baltimore – 11 West Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore MD 21201

A reception precedes the lecture at 5:30 P.M. with light food and refreshments provided.

Tickets are $10.00 for AIA Members and $15.00 for non-members.

Advance ticket purchases are recommended as capacity is limited.

Please contact the AIA for ticket sales (410-625-2585).  www.aiabalt.com

It’s do or die time for the Baltimore Red Line.  Sides have been taken and battle lines have been drawn. Rumor has it that a decision will be made soon, perhaps by the end of the summer.

But let’s face the facts.  The Red Line proposal that includes both a combination of tunneling and surface rail offers Baltimore best chance of getting state and federal funding for a transportation project in YEARS (see proposed routing map below).  If we pass up on this, the likelihood of another public transit project coming this way is perhaps another 20 or 30 years off. 

There is currently no reliable public transportation between Canton and downtown, so most people drive. It’s sameful that a city the size of Baltimore doesn’t have a reliable transportation system, so it’s about time we start.

I realize that there is a small, but vocal group of opponents, that don’t want a surface line running along Boston Street or Route 40.  But let’s face it, Boston Street and Route 40 are already noisy and congested disasters.  The new Red Line, along with some proposed nice streetscaping, will serve to reduce and calm traffic.  The tunneling through downtown will keep the train from getting bogged down in traffic lights (one of my chief complaints about the existing north/south light rail). 

The Red Line is necessary for the continued growth of Baltimore City, and would increase the property values of those nearby (just try to get a cheap apartment near a DC Metro stop).

If you support the Red Line, make sure your voice is heard.  Things you can do to help:

Visit – http://www.gobaltimoreredline.com/

E-mail Senator Mikulski – http://mikulski.senate.gov/Contact/contact.cfm

E-mail Governor O’Malley – http://www.governor.maryland.gov/mail/

E-mail Mayor Dixon – mayor@baltimorecity.gov

E-mail Councilman Kraft – james.kraft@baltimorecity.gov

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

Baltimore came in #2 in a ranking of cities with the most number of jobs per capita.  Baltimore has just over 90 job listings per 1000 people.  The top city for job listings was Washington D.C. with a whopping 133 jobs per 1000 people.

To see the entire list follow this link:  http://www.indeed.com/jobtrends.jspedfa

Also see this article from US News: http://www.usnews.com/blogs/the-inside-job/2009/07/10/10-cities-with-the-most-job-postings.html

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

It’s been years since I attended the Preakness infield.  Twice in my early-mid twenties was enough for me.  But I do enjoy the video highlights of the crazyness.  Here are two classics.

This year Preakness officials decided to prohibit attendees from bringing in outside beverages.  This new restriction will certainly change the dynamics of  the party.  For better or for worse.  Part of the tradition in years past involved coming up with creative ways to drag in as much alcohol as humanly possible.  Oversized coolers, trash cans, and kiddie pools were crowd favorites.

Recent traditions like running the portable toilets probably won’t happen this year.  Long standing traditions – flashing, fighting, passing out, etc. – may or may not happen.  Cutting outside alcohol will probably reduce the overall crowd size, but organizers will make up for it by selling enough pricey beers and other beverages.

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A report in the Baltimore Sun today noted that a recent study by Apartments.com and CBcampus.com ranks Baltimore as the 3rd best city for recent college graduates.  The rankings were based on highest concentration of young adults, concentration of jobs requiring less than one year of experience, and average rent of a one bedroom apartment.  The top five cities are as follows:

1. Indianapolis

2. Philadelphia

3. Baltimore

4. Cincinnati

5. Cleveland

jeffcantonite@yahoo.com

For years Baltimore officials have been trying to distance the city from past perceptions and notoriety from shows like Homicide, The Corner, and the Wire.  Forbes’ recent list of America’s most dangerous cities wont help their cause.  But it’s hard to argue with statistics.  The Forbes lists points out, to no surprise of city residents, that Baltimore still suffers from a serious violent crime problem.

(Baltimore-Towson, Md., metropolitan statistical area)
Population: 2,652,974
Violent Crimes per 100,000: 791

It’s interesting to see some of the cities ranked higher on the list – cities I wouldn’t normally think of.  Orlando, Las Vegas, Nashville, etc.

America’s Most Dangerous Cities

1. Detroit, Mich.
2. Memphis, Tenn.
3. Miami, Fla.
4. Las Vegas, Nev.
5. Stockton, Calif.
6. Orlando, Fla.
7. Little Rock, Ark.
8. Charleston, S.C.
9. Nashville, Tenn.
10. Baltimore, Md.
11. New Orleans, La.
12. Baton Rouge, La.
13. West Palm Beach, Fla.
14. Charlotte, N.C.
15. Philadelphia, Pa.

Full Story

Get a head start on Mother’s Day with the Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance’s First Annual Tour of Kids’ Spaces on Saturday, May 9, from 10 am to 3 pm, in historic Federal Hill. This self-guided walking tour, which features everything from historic gems to quirky row houses, will showcase the work of urban parents who have transformed limited or awkward spaces into amazing places for kids. It’s a great way to treat an expecting, new, or even seasoned mom!

DBFA counts among its goals attracting new families to Baltimore City and encouraging others to stay as their children grow. To that end, the house tour will demonstrate how parents are raising their children in the city with style. The tour will feature 8 to 10 houses over several city blocks and take approximately an hour to an hour and a half to complete, rain or shine.

WHAT: DBFA First Annual House Tour of Kids’ Spaces

WHERE: Federal Hill and South Baltimore

WHEN: Saturday, May 9, 2009, from 10 am to 3 pm

WHO: Downtown Baltimore Family Alliance

SIGNIFICANCE: The house tour is DBFA’s foremost annual fundraiser, with 100% of the proceeds from ticket sales going toward DBFA’s mission of improving, supporting, and advocating for family life downtown

Event Flyer (PDF)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Cost: $25 per ticket ($5 discount for DBFA members); $30 day of event

Tickets: Purchase in advance at www.dbfam.org/housetour or day of at Spoons Coffee Cafe, 24 E Cross St

Sponsors: Currey Real Estate Group and Indigo Ink Digital Printing

For More Information: To volunteer, nominate a house, help sponsor the tour, or place advertising in the program guide, please see www.dbfam.org/housetour, or email housetour@dbfam.org Continue Reading »