tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45390167018745057032024-02-20T23:48:02.244-05:00Harford Road, HonLife in the land of pleasant livingSue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.comBlogger167125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-68312620461333518382011-11-01T13:05:00.000-04:002011-11-01T13:15:07.004-04:00Hazardous Waste Drop-Off This Weekend<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The city of Baltimore will hold its first Hazardous Waste Drop-Off event at the new containment facility at the Northwest Citizen Convenience Center this weekend. On Friday, November 4th, and Saturday, November 5th, city residents can drop off hazardous materials from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The new Center is located at 2840 Sisson Street:<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.mapquest.com/embed?hk=tVKGCL" style="height: 270px; width: 450px;"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />
Hazardous household materials that will be collected include:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>oil-based paints</li>
<li>pesticides</li>
<li>herbicides</li>
<li>household batteries</li>
<li>drain cleaners</li>
<li>gasoline</li>
<li>pool chemicals</li>
</ul>
(They remind us that latex paint can be dried up and the cans put out for regular trash collection.)<br />
<br />
The site will <i>not</i> be collecting: asbestos, ammunition, fire extinguishers, industrial and medical wastes and radioactive materials, including smoke alarms with a radioactive symbol.
You'll need to show proof of city residency, such as a driver's license, telephone bill or tax bill, before you'll be allowed to drop off items.</div>Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-75237449326776802212011-10-21T10:19:00.000-04:002011-10-21T10:19:40.616-04:00Oh for art's sake!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am shamelessly posting the following information verbatim from the<a href="http://www.school33.org/"> <b>School 33 Art Center</b></a> Facebook page. <br />
<blockquote class="">
Art galleries, restaurants & pubs will be open for business to help feature some of the local artists in the community. Plan to spend an evening
on Harford Road to visit a gallery, enjoy dinner at one of our award
winning restaurants (many require reservations), attend a live
performance or warm up to a fire while enjoying some outdoor mu<span class="text_exposed_show">sic at 4500 Harford Road!<br /> <br /> <b><i>Gallery Walk </i></b><br /> <b>6:00</b> Wine & Cheese reception at Performance Workshop Theatre 5426 Harford Road, 410-659-7830</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="">
<span class="text_exposed_show"> <b>6:30</b> Dance demonstration at Mid-Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts 5543 Harford Road, 443-438-4525</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="">
<span class="text_exposed_show"> <b>7:00</b> Gallery walk begins - visit several art events at:</span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Studio 55 - 5529 Harford Road - 410-444-0022</span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Hamilton Gallery - 5502 Harford Road</span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Hamilton Arts Collective - 5440 Harford Road </span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Hamilton Bakery - 5414 Harford Road, 410-254-0797</span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Charmed Life Studio - 4505 Harford Road, 443-962-4634</span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Live music at 4500 Harford Road</span></li>
</ul>
<span class="text_exposed_show"> <i><br /> <b>For dinner, please make dinner reservations prior to October 21st :</b></i></span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Koco's Pub, 4301 Harford Road, 410-426-3519</span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> The Chameleon, 4341 Harford Road, 410-254-2376</span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Clementine, 5402 Harford Road, 410-444-1497</span></li>
</ul>
<span class="text_exposed_show"> <br /> <b><i>No reservations required at:</i></b></span><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Chef Mac and All That Blues, 4709 Harford Road, 410-319-6227</span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Lauraville House, 4528 Harford Road, 410-444-6664</span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Zeke's Coffee, 4607 Harford Road, 410-254-0122</span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Hamilton Tavern, 5517 Harford Road, 410-426-1930</span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Los Amigos, 5506 Harford Road, 410-444-4220</span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Lost in the 50's, 5512 Harford Road, 410-254-1639</span></li>
<li><span class="text_exposed_show"> Big Bad Wolf, House of Barbeque, 5713 Harford Road, 410-444-6422</span></li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
</div>Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-20132852029313002682011-10-18T09:25:00.001-04:002011-10-18T09:26:00.176-04:00On the Number 19<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0xaGV52ZchKIp-_dcKMv6PbsJYPCU6q0UXeeHMJHYv2CWiZKgp29jlLqxcdgggugNvgG3AxDaW-4pORFSm_zeGYamEac15RtTqRX8CRcPeIAkZ4pRsv6qe292GO0N1HiFH-wZZsPvUvU/s1600/Number19x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="337" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0xaGV52ZchKIp-_dcKMv6PbsJYPCU6q0UXeeHMJHYv2CWiZKgp29jlLqxcdgggugNvgG3AxDaW-4pORFSm_zeGYamEac15RtTqRX8CRcPeIAkZ4pRsv6qe292GO0N1HiFH-wZZsPvUvU/s400/Number19x.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Last evening on the 19 Express. Twigs and a rubber band ball. I think the twigs are from a Sycamore tree. Why? Oh, why not.</div>Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-18513526820044667182011-10-17T09:56:00.002-04:002011-10-17T09:58:00.490-04:00Shouldn't they know ...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrKOGxDXx_lvmYYRG8Q3Mnu0Q2ESlqGrYjawBYvnT8qZWdNL2OrXHBfMH2mXBgaJxWVb-34K14-VU2VX_-e69wR09lCr1E1Kc4nCEslhXdTT6WWz4XEjOkXhAltAApn1H2Ihd7GIneHbM/s1600/psychic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrKOGxDXx_lvmYYRG8Q3Mnu0Q2ESlqGrYjawBYvnT8qZWdNL2OrXHBfMH2mXBgaJxWVb-34K14-VU2VX_-e69wR09lCr1E1Kc4nCEslhXdTT6WWz4XEjOkXhAltAApn1H2Ihd7GIneHbM/s400/psychic.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
... who it is that keeps stealing their letters?</div>
</div>Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-30874411754189313642011-10-15T08:44:00.000-04:002011-10-15T08:46:24.590-04:00Fire Pit? Did someone say Fire Pit?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSH6QKfs48TOo0_CGRP02dB3aLHBidYuklttty6zl19lYoWpLYrArTngPaS5CfwzHjcGLX_AvEQDBYgvrclw0jEQgy3KapPtQy0_jRKasx75yroC2sE-P6ujiM0zpIQWJ4_U4Xf_-DH6h/s1600/Pencils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuSH6QKfs48TOo0_CGRP02dB3aLHBidYuklttty6zl19lYoWpLYrArTngPaS5CfwzHjcGLX_AvEQDBYgvrclw0jEQgy3KapPtQy0_jRKasx75yroC2sE-P6ujiM0zpIQWJ4_U4Xf_-DH6h/s320/Pencils.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Yesterday morning I was sitting on the #19 bus, waiting at the light at Harford Road and Hamilton Avenue, when I noticed a sign in the window of the Hamilton Gallery that read "Putting the Charm in Charm City." That made me smile, because we really do have a nice little neighborhood here in Northeast.<br />
<br />
And one of the really exciting things is that there's such a creative energy here, in all kinds of directions. From <a href="http://hamiltongalleryart.blogspot.com/">art</a>, to <a href="http://www.hamiltontavern.com/">food</a>, to <a href="http://www.chefmacs.com/">music</a>, to <a href="http://hamiltoncropcircle.blogspot.com/">crops</a>. And everything in between. Next Friday, October 21, there will be an evening-long event which should have something for just about everyone. The "Art Crawl and Party" is part of Baltimore City's annual citywide event, going on for over 20 years. But this year, the Lauraville-Hamilton neighborhood has the honor of kicking off the whole dang thing. The <a href="http://hamiltonlauravillemainstreet.blogspot.com/">Hamilton - Lauraville Main Street News</a> has more info, including a <a href="http://hamiltonlauravillemainstreet.blogspot.com/2011/10/october-21-harford-road-event-open.html">schedule of events</a>. Starting at 6 pm, there is a wine and cheese reception at Performance Workshop, followed by a gallery walk (please stop by the Chop Shop to see my friend Mary's artwork!), followed by an "Art Pit Party" at the Connection 4500 Harford Road.<br />
<br />
See you there? </div>Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-28832586551908311712011-10-01T08:52:00.000-04:002011-10-01T09:12:49.242-04:00Are you ready for your close-up?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3YE_448vnuZZudoMiRFDJen0gbtwAY70i_g5nUvbLK3N1ZTm-6393gnjSxOFTbRN4HSOTuZY3qac15G01Wu3XNHKxryZIeb2-uVCWzU7ygJFLPJSRMXRRQ8OZc5-GonT_aTy-YXB9nuc/s1600/myfirstspace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3YE_448vnuZZudoMiRFDJen0gbtwAY70i_g5nUvbLK3N1ZTm-6393gnjSxOFTbRN4HSOTuZY3qac15G01Wu3XNHKxryZIeb2-uVCWzU7ygJFLPJSRMXRRQ8OZc5-GonT_aTy-YXB9nuc/s320/myfirstspace.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Calling all future homeowners: Here's your chance to get on teevee!<br />
<br />
From the press release that landed in my mailbox:<br />
<blockquote>
<i>MY FIRST PLACE, HGTV’s hit series, is coming back for an eleventh season and we’re looking for first-time homebuyers (and their agents!) in the Baltimore area RIGHT NOW!</i>
<br />
<br />
<i>We are looking for fun, high-energy
people who are just starting the home-buying process for their first place and
would like to share their story with HGTV</i></blockquote>
You've seen the shows, I'm sure. Usually they seem to be set in sunny L.A. But wouldn't it be fun to watch a young naive buyer stumble onto some of the treasures in <i>our </i>neighborhood?! So if you have friends or family who might be interested, please spread the word. All they need to do is contact Lauren Miles at HGTV for an application:<br />
<br />
lmiles@highnoontv.com<br />
or call Lauren Miles at (303) 872-874<br />
<br />
And if you <i>do </i>apply, please let me know -- we would love to follow your adventure!
</div>
Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-14681192092456065462011-09-27T20:02:00.000-04:002011-09-27T20:02:08.233-04:00Sunny Day in Lauraville!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3W3_WrU7ykxCNAX23sbKIn14dPf8O2XXwScuDQ2joKDM5mrUW3PdSqCay4qJSviW0pmrDfkwVPGZELbuschmnJw334lvWtN43ABOi_JB9UyitQDbDp3yEpFIf4ClUraSC3DfxI5tGdVm/s1600/photos+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil3W3_WrU7ykxCNAX23sbKIn14dPf8O2XXwScuDQ2joKDM5mrUW3PdSqCay4qJSviW0pmrDfkwVPGZELbuschmnJw334lvWtN43ABOi_JB9UyitQDbDp3yEpFIf4ClUraSC3DfxI5tGdVm/s320/photos+013.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10188103984666876013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-13700154356219406682011-07-18T18:21:00.000-04:002011-07-18T18:21:43.853-04:00Here, this may help<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WnPE7PvNfAui1tgCn7OisDc5J8OMb4WPvK6w8WKMhNYitOsNoMzfKYXU9Dy7F_50J4WRI961zrf_ICnSJrUdURKInH0sx65qY8qCqdGf_t1HChouaqi44Tu6ghAIhk5RpJ5CWGVhid-s/s1600/IMG_2990.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1WnPE7PvNfAui1tgCn7OisDc5J8OMb4WPvK6w8WKMhNYitOsNoMzfKYXU9Dy7F_50J4WRI961zrf_ICnSJrUdURKInH0sx65qY8qCqdGf_t1HChouaqi44Tu6ghAIhk5RpJ5CWGVhid-s/s400/IMG_2990.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>I tried to remember what this day felt like as I was just out walking the dog. It's kind of hard to remember on this hot July afternoon, but you can almost feel the ice if you close your eyes and imagine real hard ...Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-80983400172240754912011-07-15T13:02:00.002-04:002011-07-15T13:04:22.556-04:00Hamilton Street Festival: Musical Lineup Announced!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5euGjYi-xRpVKuhnY4pSAZ3JKIcdJy0UXpEsZD90L7YLZggINaG5cdCQsJvhwxkpq6jFdURoEeHQA88rtVkU8E-275KlQ0r0URaidj8HO56f2nUtf6CD67zfwFIHkPp7Ar9ZcotbNvEd/s1600/4+footer_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5euGjYi-xRpVKuhnY4pSAZ3JKIcdJy0UXpEsZD90L7YLZggINaG5cdCQsJvhwxkpq6jFdURoEeHQA88rtVkU8E-275KlQ0r0URaidj8HO56f2nUtf6CD67zfwFIHkPp7Ar9ZcotbNvEd/s320/4+footer_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Make plans to be at the Hamilton Street Festival on Saturday, July 30th. In addition to ample food, drink, and crafts, there will be <i>two</i> stages with musical performances happening from noon to 6. We have out-of-town guests coming, and I can't wait to show them what Hamilton is all about! The musical lineup, posted over at <a href="http://hamiltonlauravillemainstreet.blogspot.com/2011/07/hamilton-street-festival-music-lineup.html">Hamilton-Lauraville Mainstreet News</a> includes something for everyone:<br />
<br />
<b>HAMILTON STAGE:</b><br />
12-The Fifty Sevens<br />
1-<a href="https://www.facebook.com/thesketties?sk=wall">The Sketties</a><br />
2-<a href="http://piratesforsail.com/">Pirates For Sail</a><br />
3-<a href="http://www.reverbnation.com/myuselessself">My Useless Self</a><br />
4-<a href="http://www.myspace.com/mongerrock">Monger</a><br />
5-<a href="http://www.myspace.com/puddlemusic">Puddle</a><br />
6-<a href="http://www.allmightysenators.com/">Almighty Senators</a><br />
<br />
<b>GIBBONS STAGE:</b><br />
11:15-The Pakiva Blues Band<br />
12:15-<a href="http://www.myspace.com/northernmostband">Northernmost</a><br />
1:15-<a href="http://www.myspace.com/thegarnethearts">Garnet Hearts</a><br />
2:15-<a href="http://www.thebreakfastclub.com/">Breakfast Club</a><br />
3:15-Nights Bridge<br />
4:15-<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sean-K-Preston/139331509426286?sk=wall">Sean K. Preston</a><br />
5:15-<a href="http://www.bighillbillybluegrass.com/">Big Hillbilly Bluegrass Band</a><br />
6:15-The Pescatones<br />
<br />
I linked to a web presence where I could find one. If you're in one of these bands and I didn't link to your site, please feel free to add it in the comments!Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-4711955287883146472011-07-05T11:46:00.000-04:002011-07-05T11:46:46.843-04:00Did you lose something?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsWUx_j2huuXbIt6zkvsG8ePbhCKWsyX3neAQu_A1NpkdFIUmjkVMAEeZGi6kHCim18cO8wL6STJHtlDz140OGBQdE8dearSbzfOmYZr4Qa1wc_OcqjhJoeePSG9R3sGT8dQrZIWN_DVS/s1600/fireworks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsWUx_j2huuXbIt6zkvsG8ePbhCKWsyX3neAQu_A1NpkdFIUmjkVMAEeZGi6kHCim18cO8wL6STJHtlDz140OGBQdE8dearSbzfOmYZr4Qa1wc_OcqjhJoeePSG9R3sGT8dQrZIWN_DVS/s1600/fireworks.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Um, yeah, we kind of thought those bottle rockets were coming a little close to the house last night. Front doormat <i>is</i> a little close, I'd say. Not my favorite part of 4th of July in Baltimore. The dog's not especially fond of it either.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPT7IhLH9ik38RgVhqElkA-NbsO0Hs2FIJ6Dl9xaFwb9aKIdlaolYyvjojfpzmv9ghV6dZ6hQtRYlqqcMsKYvXq_MeXC0R-VGVyUXWN9ubZorQr82eSntGrBsZOfp_XQEXDt4_qJn4jbi/s1600/FritzLOGO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPT7IhLH9ik38RgVhqElkA-NbsO0Hs2FIJ6Dl9xaFwb9aKIdlaolYyvjojfpzmv9ghV6dZ6hQtRYlqqcMsKYvXq_MeXC0R-VGVyUXWN9ubZorQr82eSntGrBsZOfp_XQEXDt4_qJn4jbi/s320/FritzLOGO.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div>Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-7072952444267693982011-06-30T11:12:00.000-04:002011-06-30T11:12:19.265-04:00Hello voters. Are you ready?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU24gYRsIx_wi7ygredxTT8fD2GSPEmiEqyxvtEf9xnD0zVUz4GFQuYfPfeKnWiYcTbyOxdPTsDhyphenhyphenGEXTUVjYHTLK8JKILP-FfcLkXb6nGm_c3Zbq9UgoQffs-P01cJIfyLJ2X3ModsSIS/s1600/vote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU24gYRsIx_wi7ygredxTT8fD2GSPEmiEqyxvtEf9xnD0zVUz4GFQuYfPfeKnWiYcTbyOxdPTsDhyphenhyphenGEXTUVjYHTLK8JKILP-FfcLkXb6nGm_c3Zbq9UgoQffs-P01cJIfyLJ2X3ModsSIS/s320/vote.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I won't tell you how to vote, but you know I'm gonna tell you to <i>vote!</i> And fortunately, (or unfortunately, depending on how the robocalls go), we've got plenty of time to get to know the candidates for all the upcoming elections. There are several announced candidates for Mayor of Baltimore, all of them worth listening to. (Well, except for that goofball Baltimore City Circuit Court clerk Frank Conaway, "the perennial mayoral candidate," <a href="http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2011-06-16/entertainment/bal-mayoral-candidate-endorses-segregation-20110616_1_frank-conaway-mayoral-candidate-segregation">as the <i>Baltimore Sun</i> politely calls him</a>.)<br />
<br />
One serious candidate worth listening to is Otis Rolley. He's said some interesting things about promoting neighborhood revitalization and sustainability, and making city government more accountable. <b><a href="http://bmorelocal.net/">BmoreLocal</a></b> will be hosting a <a href="http://bmorelocal.net/?p=591">"meet & greet" with Rolley</a> tomorrow, July 1 at Atomic Books in Hampden. I don't like to send people out of the neighborhood on First Friday, but maybe we can sneak to Hampden at 7 pm and make it back for a drink at Hamilton Tavern afterwards?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAnwOcLBzYSKpERVpUrhulhQq7uBeRJVnQFxoXNDyWswx0SnUGUVfTXRY1HAwLlHM3xYTZMNmnCMkxH2Kj7pAUWL4Aw2Lfz_f1ekHp76QQ9O18Jq0PokkIRkxiijYUsMsVMS56WcvCZNb/s1600/currenbob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheAnwOcLBzYSKpERVpUrhulhQq7uBeRJVnQFxoXNDyWswx0SnUGUVfTXRY1HAwLlHM3xYTZMNmnCMkxH2Kj7pAUWL4Aw2Lfz_f1ekHp76QQ9O18Jq0PokkIRkxiijYUsMsVMS56WcvCZNb/s200/currenbob.jpg" width="142" /></a></div>Now, if only there was a serious candidate running against Councilman Curran, maybe we would actually see those road improvements in Westfield that he always promises at the neighborhood meetings, instead of living in the limboland that exists on Harford Road between the revitalized sidewalks and roadways of Hamilton and Parkville ...</div>Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-84999017882124939542011-06-24T14:23:00.001-04:002011-06-30T11:28:01.493-04:0018th Annual Hamilton Street Festival & Car Show Set for July 30<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
Hard to believe it's been a year already since the <i>last </i>festival, but the good folks down at the <a href="http://hamiltonlauravillemainstreet.blogspot.com/">Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street </a>are gearing up for another great time. If you're interested in signing up to be a vendor, there are forms to fill out -- you can download them at the <a href="http://www.bmoremainstreet.com/forms/festival/">Hamilton-Lauraville Festival Forms page.</a><br />
<br />
Last year I got there a little late in the day, but there were still plenty of choices for food and beverage, and lots of great music on stage. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5euGjYi-xRpVKuhnY4pSAZ3JKIcdJy0UXpEsZD90L7YLZggINaG5cdCQsJvhwxkpq6jFdURoEeHQA88rtVkU8E-275KlQ0r0URaidj8HO56f2nUtf6CD67zfwFIHkPp7Ar9ZcotbNvEd/s1600/4+footer_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg5euGjYi-xRpVKuhnY4pSAZ3JKIcdJy0UXpEsZD90L7YLZggINaG5cdCQsJvhwxkpq6jFdURoEeHQA88rtVkU8E-275KlQ0r0URaidj8HO56f2nUtf6CD67zfwFIHkPp7Ar9ZcotbNvEd/s320/4+footer_1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Make plans to attend -- you won't regret it!<br />
<br />
<b>UPDATED:</b><br />
Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street News has the flyer on their website with more details and some, um, "interesting" patrons. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc4suaPPEgU-Qhqv-PfdNtYnFUpwVn8jtk_qlx0Eko8rGIia06Sm1gfWiPxpE_JIhPf1DpymDOVAfHq0pYUfTNQekUjF8pSG5jvzvjZsdzEsqOKX7WKxdsuO79zSQTw9WI_EvbinJ6YAM/s1600/2011+hamfest+poster+for+web.JPG">Click here to see the flyer.</a><br />
<br />
</div>Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-11516615451470918922011-05-02T21:55:00.004-04:002011-05-03T11:34:08.714-04:00Hamilton Bakery!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">We went this weekend and it was great! It will re-open on Wednesday. I highly suggest you stop by. Awesome bread.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1XOOClZ4GiF9-nsCKjGBHm0hc31YhENKDXX0WJWoLMPwzmIRriFRsJpn2vjKXAFqgXjeh15a-Q21OQxWeK7j0Dk1knatJmCR-mgTQ5hlHJvtCNrZ2XWTU-8EuJVR1xLZGG1vRHPyKm-C/s1600/Hamilton-Bakery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1XOOClZ4GiF9-nsCKjGBHm0hc31YhENKDXX0WJWoLMPwzmIRriFRsJpn2vjKXAFqgXjeh15a-Q21OQxWeK7j0Dk1knatJmCR-mgTQ5hlHJvtCNrZ2XWTU-8EuJVR1xLZGG1vRHPyKm-C/s200/Hamilton-Bakery.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.hamiltonbakery.com/">Hamilton Bakery </a></span></b></div>Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10188103984666876013noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-2152361776893987982011-04-15T11:47:00.002-04:002011-04-15T11:47:38.925-04:00Tuesday Market...coming soon! There is already a <a href="http://lauravillefarmersmarket.blogspot.com/2011/04/opening-soon-in-lauraville.html?spref=bl">list of vendors</a> up.Rachelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10188103984666876013noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-13814165981339165502011-02-10T11:03:00.001-05:002011-02-10T11:12:06.269-05:00Thinking of Spring makes me hungry!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYGuhOwzS3XPrQKEL-b05-dQ2nYDOq8-I92lLsMLbK1C_GofwCa8wYDV6SIbWNiH-zRFtC2OqUiq1XQpzpY6LjKdNyOL4aDkyUzlCfC7fkO8W9vPoL7G8Ks6S0r3_S6Xk2irquugAZ6gX/s1600/greenonionsite.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuYGuhOwzS3XPrQKEL-b05-dQ2nYDOq8-I92lLsMLbK1C_GofwCa8wYDV6SIbWNiH-zRFtC2OqUiq1XQpzpY6LjKdNyOL4aDkyUzlCfC7fkO8W9vPoL7G8Ks6S0r3_S6Xk2irquugAZ6gX/s200/greenonionsite.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Sorry about the lack of posting the past month. Between work/school/weather/ and the flu, I haven't felt much inspiration. But fortunately for us, others have, and we can look forward to some exciting new places to appear in Hamilton this Spring.<br />
<br />
The first new business is <b><a href="http://www.hamiltonbakery.com/">Hamilton Bakery</a></b>. Go their website and sign up to get on their mailing list for updates and invites to special events. They are currently getting all their permits finalized and finishing up construction, so hopefully we'll be deep in doughnuts soon! (You can also follow them on Facebook by searching under "Hamilton Bakery" to find out the latest updates.) They will be next to <b><a href="http://bmoreclementine.com/">Clementine</a></b>, at <a href="http://bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&pc=FACEBK&mid=8100&where1=5414+Harford+Rd%2C+Baltimore%2C+MD%2C+21214&FORM=FBKPL0&name=Hamilton+Bakery" onmousedown="UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this), "05fb1", event);" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">5414 Harford Rd</a>.<br />
<br />
Speaking of <b>Clementine</b>, owner Winston Blick is opening a green grocery in Hamilton this Spring as well, to be called <b><a href="http://www.greenonionmarket.blogspot.com/">Green Onion</a></b>. Described as a "bona fide food market," and write on their blog:<br />
<blockquote>Soon, amazing local cheeses will appear in two grand cases, and crisp, ripe produce will fill the bins at Green Onion. The folks at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fresh-McKenzie/143990665651990" target="_blank">Fresh McKenzie</a> are ramping up their egg production to accommodate us. And we’re meeting with our meat purveyor to choose the best-tasting all-natural, hormone- and antibiotic-free meats for our butcher shop. <a href="http://4everfarm.com/default.aspx" target="_blank">Forever Endeavor Farm</a> will supply grass-fed organic beef and milk-fed pork, which has a sweetness and fullness that can be explained by science but is better to think of as magic.</blockquote>I don't know about you, but I'm hungry! <b>Green Onion</b> will be located in the old <b><a href="http://www.shophamiltonvacuum.com/">Hamilton Vacuum</a></b> store, at the corner of Hamilton and Harford. (Again, you can stay up-to-date on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/greenonionmarket">https://www.facebook.com/greenonionmarket.)</a><br />
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<i>image from the <a href="http://www.greenonionmarket.blogspot.com/">greenonion</a> website </i></div>Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-65487814693882128242011-01-04T11:58:00.008-05:002011-01-04T12:05:41.378-05:00Hon -- It's Your Turn to SpeakYou may have noticed that we haven't really commented on the <a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/bs-ae-hon-trademark-20101209,0,7828781.story?page=1">"Hon" story</a> here at Harford Road. It seems the story keeps evolving, with details and facts dribbling out in the press. <i>Does </i>Denise Whiting have a trademark on the word "hon"? <i>Can</i> she have a trademark on the word "hon"? Or is it on "hon" in an oval? So then what about that Outer Banks guy? The best article I've read to date is from the blog <a href="http://welcometobaltimorehon.com/honmanifesto">Welcome to Baltimore Hon!</a> The author provides a rational and reasoned explanation of whether, why, and how the trademark story is possible. I encourage you to read it.<br />
<br />
I've been to Cafe Hon a couple of times in my life, but not in years. My personal boycott has simply been due to food that I found overpriced and nothing special. And I admit that I've also been to HonFest a couple of times, but I always felt a little uncomfortable about whether this was "celebration" or "ridicule" of Baltimore. Not being a native, it seemed to me that a line was often crossed. Or at least approached. Closely enough to be cringe-worthy, in my opinion. <br />
<br />
No, I'm not originally from Baltimore, but I have lived here for 13 years. The reason why I thought up the title for this blog is that "hon" seemed to embrace the sense of neighborliness and community that I have felt since I moved to my current home in 2003. It's what drew me here and what keeps me here, despite the break-ins, lack of snowplows, and massive potholes that killed my car.<br />
<br />
But what do <i>you</i> think about all this "hon" business? Please tell me in the comments.Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-12426147618143356662010-12-22T09:05:00.001-05:002010-12-22T09:06:45.408-05:00Got yer tree, Hon?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyOA98w9xw9CM_hzxdRqr1dzse6hD6DeqHa_rjL_ASrsNDejfNADXjvJjYGuzNSav_hUSeZ1dwkO3GhPq0aRZIlpSAiKCXDDSptmVLW_aMrGsrcOo1aVADj-2D18JSUYRF4BQv8Xq29ZP/s1600/ChristmasTree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIyOA98w9xw9CM_hzxdRqr1dzse6hD6DeqHa_rjL_ASrsNDejfNADXjvJjYGuzNSav_hUSeZ1dwkO3GhPq0aRZIlpSAiKCXDDSptmVLW_aMrGsrcOo1aVADj-2D18JSUYRF4BQv8Xq29ZP/s320/ChristmasTree.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>I figured I'd better get a post up here, 'lest you think we're hunkering down over the whole "Hon-troversy" !<br />
<br />
We still need to get a Christmas tree and I'm thinking about going to Walther Gardens, because I do like to support the local business folks. We always go there for our spring and summer plants, and I imagine its hard to run a greenhouse in December, so ...<br />
<br />
How about you? Do you have a tree? Are you ready for Christmas?<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, it sounds like we might get some of that white stuff Sunday night or Monday, so be prepared -- which means more than beer/merlot and bread, right? It means put gas in the car, have fresh batteries on hand, know where your snow shovel is, and have enough food on hand to stay put for a couple of days. One would think we'd all learned our lesson last year, but how quickly we forget!Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-27650630632007545762010-12-09T11:32:00.006-05:002010-12-09T11:36:54.783-05:00Hamilton's got the blues! (And that's a good thing!)I do tend to stick to my routine (some may call it a "rut"), and therefore I have never eaten anything from <a href="http://www.chefmacs.com/GrillMenu.html">"Chef Mac's Louisiana Cuisine"</a>. (Because I always think of the place only when I am already on my way in the door to Koco's!). But I will definitely be giving it a try soon, because he's moved further north to the space previously used by <i>The Parkside</i> (and before that by the infamous <i>Cameo!</i>).<br />
<br />
And while I will never lose my love for the Koco's cheeseburger and Blue Moon dinner, Chef Mac's might be a nice change of pace, given that he's offering a venue for music. According to <a href="http://hamiltonlauravillemainstreet.blogspot.com/2010/12/great-food-and-music-at-chef-macs-this.html">Hamilton-Lauraville Mainstreet News</a>, they're serving blues along with the Cajun BBQ sandwiches:<br />
<blockquote><i><b>Chef Mac’s & All That Blues</b></i><br />
4709 Harford Road, Baltimore, MD 21214<br />
<br />
December 10 & 11, 2010<br />
Enjoy a Louisiana style buffet and blues party with<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.missileproductions.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=236&Itemid=52">Clarence “Bluesman” Turner</a></b><br />
<br />
Tickets - $20<br />
Buffet begins 7 PM - BYOB<br />
Show begins 8 PM<br />
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<b><i>Call 410.319.6227 for information</i></b></blockquote><br />
Anyone going?Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-87291020238748873962010-12-02T12:36:00.000-05:002010-12-02T12:36:58.765-05:00First Friday events (and more!)The First Friday of December is always a busy time here in our neck of the woods. This year is no different. The season of celebration is officially on, with Hanukkah beginning today, Winter Solstice nearing, and Christmas on the horizon. So get ready, there are plenty of events just waiting for you to show up!<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.bop.org/index.cfm?page=events&id=14">Lighting of the Washington Monument</a></b></span><br />
<br />
Thursday December 2<br />
5:00 pm<br />
Mount Vernon Place <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://hamiltonlauravillemainstreet.blogspot.com/2010/11/holiday-event-schedule-december-3-4.html"><b>First Friday in Hamilton</b></a></span><br />
<b></b><br />
<b>Friday December 3</b><br />
<br />
<i><b><a href="http://hamiltongalleryart.blogspot.com/2010/11/december-3-first-friday-opening.html">Hamilton Gallery: First Friday Unbelievably Cool Event!</a></b></i><br />
5:00 pm<br />
5502 Harford Road<br />
<br />
<i><b><a href="http://www.studio55llc.com/">Studio 55</a></b></i><br />
open 'til 8 pm <br />
5529 Harford Road<br />
<br />
<i><b><a href="http://charmedlifestudio.com/">Charmed Life Studio</a></b></i><br />
open 'til 8 pm <br />
4505 Harford Road<br />
<br />
And of course, Happy Hour Specials along the way. Stop in at<br />
<a href="http://www.hamiltontavern.com/">Hamilton Tavern</a><br />
<a href="http://www.losamigosbaltimore.com/">Los Amigos</a><br />
<a href="http://www.bmoreclementine.com/">Clementine</a><br />
<br />
For more on the events of the weekend (which includes a visit from a chubby man in a red suit), check out the <a href="http://hamiltonlauravillemainstreet.blogspot.com/2010/11/holiday-event-schedule-december-3-4.html"><b>Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street News</b>.</a>Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-61841983164449613712010-11-16T09:14:00.002-05:002010-11-16T09:17:02.449-05:00Bicycling in Baltimore: Will it get better?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMM9oBq4ZusEqPcZg-KR39fipL0y3iLC4WJemC1BjDA5U3RRRVpmFwYvd7Adv03Am2kjB-edz_5AS1cAlWQAAog_CejD6W3MzGPrGmnlRVfXeq_bWSjPEktaPk-nx0YzxDaDOA0Rx7dL8/s1600/bicyclingVietnam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYMM9oBq4ZusEqPcZg-KR39fipL0y3iLC4WJemC1BjDA5U3RRRVpmFwYvd7Adv03Am2kjB-edz_5AS1cAlWQAAog_CejD6W3MzGPrGmnlRVfXeq_bWSjPEktaPk-nx0YzxDaDOA0Rx7dL8/s320/bicyclingVietnam.jpg" width="320" /></a>I <i>want </i>to be excited by the news that Baltimore leaders are trying to make this a more attractive city to those who might be considering moving here, and I <i>really</i> want to get excited at the prospect of riding my bike around town to do errands and not get run off the road by angry motorists. The rest of the world includes bicycles in their transportation planning, because they have to. Do we have to wait until we are as congested as Vietnam or China, for example, before we decide that maybe bikes deserve to be on the road, too?<br />
<br />
But some of the comments at the story in the Baltimore Sun, really have me wondering what is wrong with people. Bicycles should be banned? Cyclists should be Tased, maced, and <i>clotheslined</i>?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-bicyclists-rights-20101109,0,7788391.story">Baltimore City Council passes Cyclists' Bill of Rights</a><br />
<br />
The most sensible comment I've heard in a long time is from the person who notes that motorists who complain that bicyclists don't obey the law are simply not aware of the majority of bicyclists who are doing just that. It's only the errant cyclist -- the <i>one</i> cuts you off/ runs a red light/ zooms past pedestrians on the sidewalk, etc., etc. -- that's the one who becomes your idea of a bicyclist. Most bicyclists are <i>very </i>safe because they are well aware of the huge disparity of weight between them and you, barreling down on them in your SUV. (Full disclosure here: I have an SUV as well as a bike.)<br />
<br />
If you agree with me that there's too much traffic on the roads, think about how much it would help if some of those cars were replaced by bikes. I think it would make a tremendous impact. Here's what the City Council Resolution calls for:<br />
<ul><li>equal access to city streets</li>
<li>greater involvement in planning by bicyclists</li>
<li>greater awareness of bicyclists' rights in accident cases</li>
<li>improved bike parking and mass transit access for bicycles</li>
</ul><i> I </i>think we can live with that. What do <i>you </i>think?<br />
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<i>image: <a href="http://www.blogger.com/%3Cdiv%20xmlns:cc=%22http://creativecommons.org/ns#%22%20xmlns:dct=%22http://purl.org/dc/terms/%22%20about=%22http://images.cdn.fotopedia.com/jmhullot-8f3eb1ca12e4f06955f096e622a6f53f-hd.jpg%22%3E%3Cspan%20property=%22dct:title%22%3EBicycle,%20Ao%20Dai,%20Hoi%20An%3C/span%3E%20%28%3Ca%20rel=%22cc:attributionURL%22%20property=%22cc:attributionName%22%20href=%22http://www.fotopedia.com/users/jmhullot%22%3EJean-Marie%20Hullot%3C/a%3E%29%20/%20%3Ca%20rel=%22license%22%20href=%22http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/%22%3ECC%20BY%203.0%3C/a%3E%3C/div%3E">Jean-Marie Hullot </a></i>Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-90648958803714762632010-11-11T14:51:00.001-05:002010-11-11T14:53:45.687-05:00One reason I love where I live<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8q55LHdF4Mp807O1eCXhB9pda50xuljJFb1ucwgcScTLB6aI-0bnxxxuzCZmhcYlna-f6zYwzZ7yTAH-BQHgh6Z86aRa0U81Izn_ye5wUwad0qSzMWj2-bEQ4PyyXKvBNBAi8IEtqSLX/s1600/1105101717a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8q55LHdF4Mp807O1eCXhB9pda50xuljJFb1ucwgcScTLB6aI-0bnxxxuzCZmhcYlna-f6zYwzZ7yTAH-BQHgh6Z86aRa0U81Izn_ye5wUwad0qSzMWj2-bEQ4PyyXKvBNBAi8IEtqSLX/s320/1105101717a.jpg" width="320" /></a> <a href="http://www.hamiltontavern.com/">Hamilton Tavern</a>, and <a href="http://www.thebrewersart.com/">Resurrection Ale</a> on tap.Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-20378997459805889302010-11-02T11:39:00.006-04:002010-11-02T11:49:00.191-04:00You know the rules, hon ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYSw_nVfpwaofZsIavZxjK6hRJsP5jQqRl1_jK-WVWvy39Hs-_O7eOtdqRKBO77Y7BDKAuImFJg52PTTxyCZq89bf7bVoSWve_k4_sfYwC9qtdzAlcItjZ6iKEaF9SUYO5Ud8x3E-ToAt/s1600/vote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYSw_nVfpwaofZsIavZxjK6hRJsP5jQqRl1_jK-WVWvy39Hs-_O7eOtdqRKBO77Y7BDKAuImFJg52PTTxyCZq89bf7bVoSWve_k4_sfYwC9qtdzAlcItjZ6iKEaF9SUYO5Ud8x3E-ToAt/s200/vote.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>You can't complain if you don't vote!<br />
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Visit the <a href="http://www.elections.state.md.us/index.html">Maryland State Board of Elections web site</a> for info on where, when, and how. <br />
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Polling places are open in Maryland from 7 am to 8 pm.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">image from <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/70097310@N00/">yaquina </a></span></i>Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-46285095095065173752010-11-01T13:13:00.002-04:002010-11-01T13:16:33.213-04:00The vocal local<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7pEow5vyYOX1t9FCoUypNQ7KDc-eQ9zEeZb-nluobc8cuEFxNONt_jn48bKczYSfQxxsglnbQvDCUUcDGhY5YSZ0dADxNuwCux0bE4pNyLv-JERvShFf6viMarVdKAvNg0enCZBm0tJG/s1600/350_project_200x177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7pEow5vyYOX1t9FCoUypNQ7KDc-eQ9zEeZb-nluobc8cuEFxNONt_jn48bKczYSfQxxsglnbQvDCUUcDGhY5YSZ0dADxNuwCux0bE4pNyLv-JERvShFf6viMarVdKAvNg0enCZBm0tJG/s1600/350_project_200x177.jpg" /></a></div>Now that Halloween is over, we're running head-on into the holiday season. You can tell because all the big box stores are telling us "Buy! Buy! Buy!" (Even eBay has a ribbon today that says <i>"54 days."</i>)<br />
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If you're like me, you're stuck in a position of "Gee, I'd like to help the economy by going shopping" and "Yikes! Did you see the BGE bill? How are we gonna pay <i>that?!"</i><br />
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In other words, we're all watching our pennies these days. But it's important to see <i>where </i>our pennies are going as well as watching them leave our hands. Not to name any one specific big box store that I refuse to shop in (but it has a really creepy smiley face logo), but any time you can go local you help individuals directly -- rather than trying to rationalize that "well, big box store pays employees and perhaps they get a fair wage -- although they can't possibly afford health insurance" -- any time you can go local it's a good thing.<br />
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In fact, it helps the neighbors. It helps the neighborhood. It helps you.<br />
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Pick 3 local merchants and spend $50. More of that will stay in the neighborhood than if you shop big box. From <b><a href="http://www.the350project.net/home.html">The 3/50 Project</a>:</b><br />
<blockquote>For every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online, and <i>nothing </i>comes home.</blockquote><br />
We are so lucky to have vibrant small businesses in our area. Let's help keep them alive this holiday season by shopping local. If you need some ideas of what's in the neighborhood, we've got a short list on the right side bar, but the <b><a href="http://hamiltonlauravillemainstreet.blogspot.com/">Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street</a></b> blog has a comprehensive list (on the left hand side).<br />
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In fact, the most exciting news of the week for me so far is that <i><b><a href="http://www.hamiltonbakery.com/">we're getting a bakery!</a></b></i>Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-22494489673676860612010-10-29T10:57:00.006-04:002010-10-29T11:38:31.654-04:00Tricks and treats on the way this weekend<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7kG-XNlF09HLKhoneezjroqTVcfM2rdCJDqeA53KNnMgY53uoxLx78OKzj9ikjS7tIuqC5CIkW7cIrYiYMnhaEc3XSfMb4rcKRyrJIKjjj0eVSAMZDnvmJd4SR1ks-p5kOCg3qdx-Moc/s1600/pumpkin.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 303px; height: 221px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG7kG-XNlF09HLKhoneezjroqTVcfM2rdCJDqeA53KNnMgY53uoxLx78OKzj9ikjS7tIuqC5CIkW7cIrYiYMnhaEc3XSfMb4rcKRyrJIKjjj0eVSAMZDnvmJd4SR1ks-p5kOCg3qdx-Moc/s400/pumpkin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533491913813678194" border="0" /></a>There's plenty of tricks & treats in store for this weekend, hon. The weather is predicted to be delightful (but perhaps a bit chilly for those more ... ahem ... "revealing" costumes). Some of the events happening up and down Harford Road this weekend include:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Hall of Horrors</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(hosted by the Harford Park Community Association)</span><br />Friday October 29, 7- 10 pm<br />Sunday October 31, 7-10 pm<br />Harford Park Community Association Building, 2522 Linwood Road<br />Admission: $5.00 Enter at your own risk<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Boo Fest</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(presented by Hamilton Lauraville Main Street)</span><br />Saturday, October 30 from 3-5 pm<br />5543 Harford Road (Mid Atlantic Center for Performing Arts)<br />Free!<br />Pet Costume Contest, Costume Parade, Trick or treating, and Music and Dancing!<br /><br />A little further out of the neighborhood are these events:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Great Halloween Lantern Parade</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Patterson Creative Alliance)</span><br />3134 Eastern Avenue<br />Free!<br />October 30th : 3 p.m. - 9 p.m. (Parade lineup: 7 p.m.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ZooBOO</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Maryland Zoo in Baltimore)</span><br />2600 Madison Ave., Baltimore, MD, 21217-4474<br />October 29th : 10 a.m. - 4 pm<br />October 30th : 10 a.m. - 4 pm<br />October 31st : 10 a.m. - 4 pm<br />Admission: $10-$16<br /><br />Do you have an event to list here? Let us know in the comments section and we'll spread the word.<br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">image courtesy of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/vancouverfilmschool/">vancouverfilmschool</a></span></span>Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4539016701874505703.post-22031186408071809092010-10-05T14:56:00.005-04:002010-10-05T15:05:58.100-04:00You gonna eat that?Ah, Fall! It seems we were just mowing and mowing and mowing, and now I expect any day to home from work and find the yard full of fallen maple leaves. I tried earlier to harvest some walnuts from the tree out back, but the project got a little interrupted mid-stream. I haven't given up on that project completely, but I hope you aren't expecting any cranberry walnut bread from this, because if I get one loaf's worth, guess who's eating it?<br /><br />Meanwhile, others in Baltimore are harvesting fruits and writing about it:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.baltimorebrew.com/2010/09/25/crabapples-in-baltimore/">Rotting crab-apples? The Baltimore Urban forager thinks that's a dirty shame</a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFUi5_PXJIRZCF2Ia45AmvKzFJPgG-_KuJIZ7m5h1vs4ZDDmGnr8oBPeSJD7LdwLqwqE5K8rojX3VClyLMjDoooYEpeqK8NK4E6ghonCyNDDkxKLVhJK317ZPnBqQtrB3ol_h1WUiabnz/s1600/crabapples.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 365px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFUi5_PXJIRZCF2Ia45AmvKzFJPgG-_KuJIZ7m5h1vs4ZDDmGnr8oBPeSJD7LdwLqwqE5K8rojX3VClyLMjDoooYEpeqK8NK4E6ghonCyNDDkxKLVhJK317ZPnBqQtrB3ol_h1WUiabnz/s400/crabapples.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524639037393668258" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.baltimorebrew.com/2010/09/25/crabapples-in-baltimore/"><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:85%;" >(photo by Marta Hanson)</span></a><br /></div>Sue Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05372579806614287004noreply@blogger.com0