Irish Music at the Parkside on Sat. Jan 30 (Lauraville 21214)

Saturday 1/30/10, please join musicians Aaron Olwell (fiddle, flute and concertina) and Dan Isaacson (flute, uilleann pipes and bouzouki) for a session at The Parkside in Lauraville.

In addition to the usual traditional Irish music and dance, this session happens to coincide with The Parkside's monthly Beard and Moustache Appreciation Night.

What? Session with Aaron Olwell and Dan Isaacson

When? Saturday 1/30/10 • 8 pm -11 pm

Where? The Parkside • 4709 Harford Rd. Baltimore, MD 21214 • 410-444-6004

http://www.theparksideonline.com/

Pizza Thursday at the Red Canoe (Lauraville 21214)

Red Canoe is including pizza on their Thursday menu. The deal - a 9" pizza with your choice of toppings and a side sale for $9.75. Yummy!

Also, the Red Canoe is putting the final touches to their renovations. According to Nicole, "The fireplace is cozy, the coffee is hot and fresh, and the neighbors are still the best! So stop in soon—and definitely on Thursdays for pizza!"

Red Canoe Bookstore Cafe

4337 Harford Road

Baltimore MD 21214

410-444-4440

www.redcanoe.bz

The Chameleon's Restaurant Week Menu (Lauraville 21214)

News from Brenda about Restaurant Week:

Greetings!

Baltimore Restaurant Week is here through February 7th! It’s a great excuse to get out and dine in Baltimore.

We are happy to be offering a Prix Fixe Menu (see menu). Tuesday and Thursday $30, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday $35.10.

We will also be offering our regular Wine Wednesday deal of 15 @ $15- (bottles that is).

Looking forward to Valentine’s Day, we WILL be open SUNDAY, February 14th to celebrate LOVE, ROMANCE, + FOOD.

Hope to see you soon,

Brenda

The Chameleon

4341 Harford Rd.

T: 410.254.2376

Hours: Tues-Thurs 5-9 | Fri + Sat 5-10

www.thechameleoncafe.com

Irish Dinner at the Chameleon (Lauraville 21214)

News from Brenda:

We are having a special fundraising dinner on Sunday, January 31st. It will be a fun event to raise money the the St. Patrick's Day parade.

A link to the menu.

All the best,

Brenda

The Chameleon

4341 Harford Rd

Baltimore MD 21214

410-254-2376

Calendar of Events updated of the Hamilton Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library

The Hamilton Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library has just posted new items on their Calendar of Events, which includes preschool story time and income tax assistance.

Hamilton Branch Enoch Pratt Free Library
5910 Harford Road
Baltimore, MD 21214

History of the Hamilton Branch

The Hamilton Branch first opened its doors in 1920 on the corner of Hamilton and Richmond Ave. The land was donated by the Hamilton Improvement Association and the building was a gift from Andrew Carnegie. It was one of the streetcar stops that led out of the city into the farm community. World War II brought a housing boom to the neighborhood and with it more patrons for the branch. By 1950 the branch was too small and no longer met the needs and demands of this growing population. In 1959 a new and larger buiding was opened on Harford Road and Glenmore, designed by architects Cochran, Stephenson and Wing. The building, with its spacious interior and large paned windows, is reflective of the new modern designs that highlighted this time period in Baltimore history.

Shrove Tuesday Fundraiser at Church of the Messiah in Hamilton

"... as fit as a pancake for Shrove Tuesday."

William Shakespeare (All's Well that Ends Well)

Come One ... Come All !

Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper

To Support Boy Scout Troop 161

Feb. 16th 5:30 -7:30 p.m.

Tickets ar $5 Ages 12+ & $2.50 Ages 6-11

Children under Age 6 eat for free!

Church of the Messiah

5801 Harford Road

at White Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21214

Yoga classes at Welcome Om on Harford Road (Hamilton Lauraville 21214)

News from Welcome Om Hatha Yoga:

Greetings!

You may have already heard, but as of February 1st, 2010, "Great Soul Yoga" officially becomes "Welcome Om Hatha Yoga"! We will continue under new management in the same location, 4711 Harford Rd.

Our schedule of classes is already increasing! We are pleased to announce, beginning February 4th, 2010, Welcome Om will add:

GENTLE YOGA, Taught by Sarah Schwartz, Thursdays, 6:15-7:45pm

Gentle Yoga is Yoga that anyone can do. It's a safe, slowed-down approach appropriate for individuals interested in easing into Yoga. Seniors, people with chronic pain, injuries, or illness, or those just who want a more peaceful fitness program will love Gentle Yoga.

Please check out our web site for updates and information: www.welcomeomhathayoga.com

or call Velvet at 443.739.1415

Thank you so much for your continued support!

Velvet @ Welcome Om Hatha Yoga

Chamber Music at Hamilton Presbyterian Church 2/21

The Kodály Hand-signs*

HAMILTON COMMUNITY CONCERTS “Four at Four” presents a CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT

THE WAVERLY TRIO

Brenda Anna, violin

Jason Love, cello

Nancy Smith, piano

Featuring music by Franz Schubert, Frank Martin, and Zoltan Kodály (a pioneer in establishing early childhood and elementary school music education.**)

Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 4:00 p.m.

Free to the Public

Reception Following the Concert

All Are Welcome!

Hamilton Presbyterian Church

5532 Harford Road

Baltimore, MD

*Kodály Hand-signs (pictured) were featured in the 1977 film, Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

** Kodály Method.

NOGLI Happy Hour followed by the Bobwhites at the Parkside on Harford Road!

News from Nicole at NOGLI:

This Friday, January 22nd, at 5:30 to 7:30 pm, Neighborhoods of Greater Lauraville (NOGLI) will be hosting their first Happy Hour at The Parkside! Each Happy Hour will feature a different local business and a different NOGLI program... This month, we are featuring the Baltimore Neighborhood Energy Challenge (BNEC)!

BNEC is part of a city-wide initiative to reduce Baltimore's energy consumption by 15% by 2015. To learn more about BNEC, and how you can get involved, visit www.baltimoreenergychallenge.org, or just come to the Happy Hour!

We will be giving out door prizes to help you save energy and money, and FREE DRINKS for the winners of BNEC bingo! We hope to see you there!

~NOGLI Nicole

Nicole@greaterlauraville.com 410.444.9188

Later that night....starting at 9 p.m., until midnight or so, THE BOBWHITES will be playing at The Parkside in the first of a series of "Fourth Friday" um, not exactly "concerts", more dance party w/ dinner and drinks. C'mon out, it's a Friday! And, it will be good for you, too!

NOGLI

THE BOBWHITES

THE PARKSIDE FINE FOOD AND SPIRITS

4709 Harford Road

Baltimore 21214

(410) 444-6004

www.theparksideonline.com

Commerical Property Available: 5500 Harford Road (Hamilton 21214)

5500 Harford Road. Second Floor

For more information call: 410-319-7150 or 410-254-2323

Second Floor: professional office space.

Shared second floor hallway.

Fashion Show highlights Lauraville's Kapacity Boutique

News from Kapacity Boutique:

Please join us!

Iconography The Magazine (a Baltimore-based fashion magazine) will be releasing its fifth and thickest issue to date in our Thickest Issue Ever. Thick not merely as in pages, but in the voluptuous models featured throughout these pages.

Traditionally, the fashion industry has notoriously undercut and overlooked the plus size fashionista. Iconography The Magazine will pay homage to the thick chick, the curvaceous mama, the voluptuous femme fatale, and the burlesque queen by highlighting industry models, fashion trends, and runway inspiration all aimed at the plus sized woman.

To celebrate we're throwing The Thickest Party Ever.

WHEN: SUNDAY JANUARY 24TH

WHERE: RED MAPLE >> 930 N CHARLES ST >> BALTIMORE, MD

TIME: 9PM TO 2AM

MUSIC BY DJ MIKE JOINTZ

FASHION SHOW @ 11PM FEATURING TORRID.COM, KAPACITY BOUTIQUE, AND MORE!!

Kapacity Boutique

4327 Harford Rd. 2nd. floor

Lauraville,MD 21214

443.271.8532

Boutique Hours:

Wed.& Fri. 5-8pm

Thurs.10am-4pm

Sat.10am-3pm

Sun.-appointments only.

About Kapacity Boutique:The first unique fashion boutique for Kurvy women sizes 10-32 in the Baltimore area. Conveniently located in the Lauraville Community.

Hamilton Federal Bank supports Main Street

News from Main Street director, Regina Lansinger:

Thanks to Hamilton Federal Bank located at 5600 Harford Road for their continued commitment to Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street, Inc.

Hamilton Federal Bank
Main Office
5600 Harford Road
Baltimore, MD 21214
410-254-9700

Big Bad Wolf's House of BBQ is fundraising for Haiti

News from BBW and Hector L. Torres:

On Monday January 18, 2010, Big Bad Wolf's House of Barbeque offers a free pulled pork sandwich for a $20.00 cash donation to Wings of Hope Orphanage in Haiti. Wings of Hope is a home for disabled children, that recently rebuilt and expanded to include a day school for disabled community children and lovely guest facilities.

Since 2007 Big Bad Wolf has been committed to the amazing work being done at Wings of Hope in Fermathe, Haiti. Its employee, Pat Henry, was at Wings of Hope during the earthquake. He is thankfully alive but reports that the situation is desperate. The structure has collapsed and the kids are living in a small shack.

The Fundraiser is Monday, January 18, 2010 from 11:00 to 9:00 pm. A $20.00 cash donation to Wings of Hope will get you a pulled pork sandwich as a thanks from them. A $20.00 donation required for the free sandwich but all donations will be appreciated. I’ll be there around noon – come join me.

Hector

Big Bad Wolf's House of Barbeque

5713 Harford Rd

Baltimore, MD 21214

(410) 444-6422

www.bigbadwolfbarbeque.com

Hector L. Torres, Democratic

Maryland State Senatorial Candidate

43rd Legislative District

hector@TorresMaryland.com

www.TorresMaryland.com

Studio C Jewelry moves to their new Location

Pics from Studio C's new space, just below the Red Canoe.

Here is the rest of the news from Constance:

Studio C Jewelry & Gifts is now open in it's new location! Instead of above the Red Canoe, I am below the Red Canoe, in what was once the yarn store space! Come check it out, today, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.! New items arriving daily! Look for the balloons, signs will be coming soon.

Store Hours:

Thursday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 pm

Sunday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

--
Constance Scott
Studio C Jewelry & Gifts
below The Red Canoe
4337 B Harford Road
Baltimore, MD 21214
443.226.5871

Hamilton Crop Circle and Harford Road Restaurants: Compost Partners!

Check out the Hamilton Crop Circle news on their partnership with local restaurants in Hamilton and Lauraville.

Restaurants Compost Partnership.

Roof-top Gardening.

(picture from Crop Circle website)

NOGLI Happy Hour at the Parkside

News from NOGLI:

On Friday, January 22nd, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm, NOGLI will be hosting our very own Happy Hour at The Parkside Fine Food and Spirits, 4709 Harford Road, 21214!

This is the first of a series of Happy Hours that we will be hosting, to encourage residents to come out and meet NOGLI, your friendly,funky neighborhood organization, while also supporting a great local business! Each Happy Hour will feature a different local business and a different NOGLI program...

This month, we are featuring the Baltimore Neighborhood Energy Challenge (BNEC)! BNEC is part of a city-wide initiative to reduce Baltimore's energy consumption by 15% by 2015. To learn more about BNEC, and how you can get involved, visit: www.baltimoreenergychallenge.org,or just come to the Happy Hour!

We will be giving out door prizes to help you save energy and money, and FREE DRINKS for the winners of BNEC bingo!

We hope to see you there!

~NOGLI Nicole

Chop Shop (Lauraville 21214):Donating 10% of Proceeds to Disaster Relief in Haiti

News from Lisa, owner of the Chop Shop:

We wanted to let you know that the Chop Shop will be donating 10% of Saturday proceeds for the next four weeks, to UNICEF and Oxfam, to support emergency relief efforts in Haiti. The organizations we have chosen have a long history in the community and UNICEF has committed that 100% of disaster donations will be sent directly to support

Haitian emergency response.

The Chop Shop is proud to be part of such a strong, dynamic community network and we are thankful to be able to carry this value forward to those who are most in need.

Chop Shop

410-426-2300

4321 Harford Road, Baltimore 21214

Census Jobs News from Delegate Cheryl Glenn

Census Jobs News from Maryland State Delegate Cheryl Glenn:

Training sessions for the 2010 Census Count are now scheduled. Jobs will be available.

Dates for sessions are:

Saturday, January 16 from 12-1:30pm at the Oliver Center located at 1400 E. Oliver Street

Saturday, January 23 from 12-1:30pm at Northeast Middle School, located at 5001 Moravia Road

Chameleon Cafe to host Lauraville Acoustic Showcase Sunday Jan 17

New from Sarah Pinsker:

This Sunday the Chameleon Cafe is hosting the first ever Lauraville Acoustic Showcase.

This will be listening-room style, with drinks and snacks but no dinner available.

The feature act will be The Art of Meaning, with Sahffi, Ken Gutberlet & Sarah Pinsker (that's me) doing cameos.

Date: Sunday, January 17, 2010

Time: 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Location: The Chameleon Cafe 4341 Harford Rd.

There will be no cover charge for this great night of music!

See you there!

Lauraville Acoustic Showcase

The Chameleon Cafe

4341 Harford Rd

Zeke's 'Coffee Lab' in Baltimore Magazine Blog

Suzanne Loudermilk write in the Baltimore Magazine Blog :

Zeke’s is moving its retail operation into the old Grind-On spot (4607 Harford Rd.) in Lauraville in early February. Ryan Schmidt, general manager of production at Zeke’s, said the new place will be a “coffee lab” as opposed to a coffee shop.

Customers will be able to buy beans and sample coffee. For instance,organic Sumatra will be available on a regular basis. But the shop will also brew other kinds of coffee for people to taste. It won’t be a place for people to hang out and have muffins, Ryan said.

Eventually, Zeke’s hopes to have tastings there. Hours haven’t been decided yet.

Mark Tough, executive director of the Neighborhoods of Greater Lauraville Inc., is already a Zeke’s fan. He was on hand Sunday for the coffee company’s annual kopi luwak tasting.

“We're pretty thrilled that Zeke's is expanding their footprint here,” Mark said in an email about the expansion. “And we expect more good news [in the Hamilton-Lauraville area] throughout the remainder of the year."

Blood Drive on Harford Road (21214)

Request from Dana Goode:

Help !! We need to get the word out about the upcoming Blood Drive:

Feb 12, 3:00-7:00 at Harborside Healthcare Assisted Living on 4700 Harford Rd, Baltimore, MD 21214 (at Cold Spring Lane) .

Please call Dana Goode at 410 319-7517 to schedule an appointment.

Thank you!

Dana Goode

410-319-7517

Zeke's Coffee on WBAL

Zeke's Coffee Kopi Luwak Tasting highlighted on WBAL

For pics of the event, go here!

Hamilton Gallery (Baltimore 21214) Jellies Invasion Pics

Pictures of the Jellies Invasion Exhibit Opening at the Hamilton Gallery are from the NOGLI Facebook page.

Pictures of the Jellies Invasion are from the NOGLI Facebook page.

Zeke's Kopi Luwak Tasting Sunday Jan 10

WBAL reported on Zeke's Coffee Kopi LuwakTasting.

Mark Marone, the first brave taster of the day!

Mica Fetz, Main Street Business District Specialist and Donna Langley, Director, Baltimore Main Streets

Baltimore Main Street's Elizabeth Hines with her family.

Yoga class on Harford Road (Hamilton Lauraville 21214)

Yoga class information from Velvet, at Welcome Om Hatha Yoga:

Greetings All!

Happy Holidays and best wishes for health, peace and joy in the New Year! To help you get the New Decade off to a great start, here's the Great Soul Yoga Winter Session schedule:

The Winter Session officially begins on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 and continues through Monday, March 29th. We are happy to announce some additional classes! (*Please note time changes of some classes that were on the Fall '09 schedule)

Sundays:

8:30-10am, All-Levels -- Chris

Mondays:

5:15-6:45pm*, All-Levels -- Velvet

Tuesdays:

4:30-6pm*, Level I (Beginners) -- Velvet

AND

6:15-7:45pm*, All-Levels -- Velvet

Wednesdays:

9-10:30am, All-levels -- Velvet

Saturdays:

9-10:30am, All-Levels -- Velvet (*please note staff change from Fall)

Our hope is to add many more classes in the near future and to continue serving our community for a long time to come!

love & peace,

Velvet

For more information:

(443) 739-1415

velvet@welcomeomhathayoga.com

Welcome Om Hatha Yoga

4711 Harford Road, 21214

Above the Parkside, in the Yoga Room at the NOGLI Office

LAURAVILLE ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE Starts January 17th: Hey, Its Free!

Sahffi, John and Paul at the Senator Theatre, photo from Paul Iwancio website

Music news from Paul Iwancio:

The LAURAVILLE ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE Starts January 17th.

Hamilton musicians/singer/songwriters Paul Iwancio and John Seay are hosting a monthly show (as a listening venue) at the CHAMELEON CAFÉ.

We’ll present live music on the 3rd Sunday of each month from 7 to 9 PM with a featured performer and 3 cameo performers. The first show will be on January 17, followed by February 21 and March 21.

So, if good, local acoustic music is what you like, check us out!

Hey, it’s FREE!

The lineup for January 17th features The Art of Meaning (Paul Iwancio, Nita Paul, John Seay and Carl Rosetti) with cameo performances by Sarah Pinsker, Ken Gutberlet and Sahffi.

P.S. Although the Chameleon is an award-winning gourmet restaurant, the kitchen will not be open for Sunday Showcases. Drinks and snacks will be available.

http://www.pauliwancio.com
http://www.sarahpinsker.com
http://www.sahffi.com
http://www.casualtunes.com
http://www.myspace.com/johnseayproductions

Music Schedule at the Hamilton Arts Collective (Hamilton 21214)

Check out the Hamilton Arts Collective music schedule on their website.

Upcoming events:

Heading for the Hills Tour w/ Singer-Songwriters Mary Battiata and John Lilly

Saturday, January 16, 2010 - 8:00pm

Award Winning Songwriter Mary Battiata and 2005 Hank Fest Winner John Lilly join forces and bring their highly original, high-lonesome songs and sound to the Hamilton Arts Collective.

Happy Haines, Melissa Moran, and Shane Burke

Friday, January 22, 2010 - 8:00pm

Happy Haines, Melissa Moran, and Shane Burke present a night of country and folk.

DMC CHOIR REHEARSAL

Saturday, January 23, 2010 - 10:00am

THE DAN MEYER CHOIR

Sunday, January 24, 2010 - 4:00pm

The music of the DMC is secular, popular-style music based on literature, history, the world we live in and life in general.

Jellies Invasion exhibit highlighted on WYPR's Maryland Morning

Maryland Morning highlighted the National Aquarium's exhibit Jellies Invasion: Oceans Out of Balance, and the Hamilton Art Gallery Jellies exhibit!

Hamilton Art Gallery

2927 Hamilton Avenue at the corner of Harford Road, 21214.

The exhibit at the Gallery opens Friday January 8 at 6pm and will continue through the month of January.

Gallery hours are Friday 6-9; Saturday 1-4 and Sunday 1-4.

Jellies come to Harford Road in Hamilton and Lauraville

The businesses of Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street and The Hamilton Gallery host the National Aquarium with artwork inspired by the National Aquarium's

Jellies Invasion * Oceans Out of Balance

Please join us at 2927 Hamilton Avenue to greet members of the National Aquarium from 6-9pm on Friday, 1/8/10.

Artwork can also be seen at The Chameleon Cafe, The Red Canoe, The Parkside Fine Food & Spirits, Clementine, Hamilton Vacuum, and The Hair Shop, as well as some storefronts along Harford Road. Door prize & holiday raffle drawing will take place at 8:30! Tickets are still available at the Red Canoe, 4337 Harford Road & Hamilton Vacuum at 5421 Harford Road!

Check our website for more details:

www.BmoreMainStreet.com

"Bangs before Botox":Chop Shop is in the Urbanite

The Urbanite's Shannon Dunn write about Lauraville's Chop Shop:

Ms. Dunn writes:

When Bill “The Barber” Puller saw an ad for stylist-turned-owner Lisa Hawks’ Chop Shop in 2008, he knew it was something different. That certain something Puller sensed was Hawks’ vision for the business: a stylish boutique that’s edgier than your granny’s beauty parlor but not as stuffy as a high-end salon. “It’s the customers’ space,” Hawks says. “They own it.” The Chop Shop relocated from a few doors down the street to its current location in June 2009 (4321 Harford Rd.; 410-426-2300; www.bmorechopshop.com), expanding its services to offer private rooms for facials ($10–$70), waxing ($8–$87), massage/wellness treatments ($45–$125), and acupuncture (yes, they take insurance!). Haircuts range from $16 to $40; single-process coloring is $50, and highlights start at $65. Any plans to offer more invasive beauty treatments? Hawks shakes her head and repeats her mantra: “Bangs before Botox, sweetie."

'Murder, My Sweet' at the Donavan Fund Film Noir Series in Lauraville

Film New from Chris Muldowney

Please note change of date from original posting. The new date is 1/23/10:

Happy New Year to all at the start of this new, hopefully delightfully better decade.

Shake off those cabin fever blues with what is considered by many to be the film noir, "Murder, My Sweet" showing on Saturday 1/23/10* at 7 pm. After the show there will be a lively discussion with film maker, Chris Reed.

The showing is part of the Donovan Fund Film Noir Series befitting the Donovan Fund for City Seniors. Please join us for a good time and a great cause. (All proceeds go directly to help the basic needs of City seniors) & sit back for great film in your community to enjoy the stylistic shadows & light of Film Noir.

Tickets are in demand so make you reservations early.

Film: “Murder My Sweet” starring Dick Powell & Claire Trevor, Directed by Edward Dmytryk

Date: Saturday 1/16/10 at 7 pm

Location: Lauraville's Theater on the 2nd Floor

4321 Harford Road

(Above the Chop Shop)

Call Chris to inquire about pre show dinner discounts at the Chameleon Café.

Save the date & call to reserve early to Chris Muldowney at 410-366-1980 x271 or Box Office Manager, Paula Skleres, at x276.

Please share with your contacts.

Choir performance at the HAC in Hamilton

The Dan Meyer Choir

Sunday Janaury 24, 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm

Spending the last year performing at Baltimore’s Theatre Project, the Institute of Notre Dame and the Enoch Pratt Free Library...

Cute image from DMC website

The Dan Meyer's Choir presents their unique choral experience for the first time at the Hamilton Arts Collective.

The Dan Meyer Choir was founded in January 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. It is a 4-part (soprano, alto, tenor & bass) chorus that sings all original compositions and arrangements by Dan Meyer. The music of the DMC is secular, popular-style music based on literature, history, the world we live in and life in general.

The Dan Meyer Choir

Performance on Sunday, January 24, 2010 - 4:00pm - 7:00pm

THE HAMILTON ARTS COLLECTIVE

The HAC is on the Corner of Harford Avenue and Hamilton Avenue. The
entrance is on Hamilton Avenue, around the corner from the Pizza Plus.

2929 Hamilton Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21214
(410)444-4272
info@hamiltonarts.org

The Sun highlights Jellies Invasion at the Hamilton Gallery on January 8

The Sun's Christy Zuccarini writes about the Hamilton Gallery's Jelly Invasion on Friday January 8, 2010, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Ms. Zuccarini writes:

Inspired by the National Aquarium’s ever popular Jellies Invasion: Oceans Out of Balance, artists in Hamilton-Lauraville have come together to create a body of work that explores the impact of jellyfish on our aquatic ecosystems. An opening reception, sponsored by Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street, Inc., will be held at the Hamilton Art Gallery on Friday, January 8, from 6-9 p.m.

"The intended message is that the jellies, though graceful and beautiful, are an indicator that the oceans are out of balance. Much of the artwork shows the absolute beauty of the creatures, while our gallery window will depict the relationship between our trash and the abundance of jellies in our waters. We, humans, are the cause of the problem," explains Regina Lansinger, Director of Hamilton-Lauraville Main Street, Inc.

On the night of the opening, light refreshments will be provided by the local restaurants and pubs of Hamilton and Lauraville on Harford Road. In addition, Nancy Hotchkiss, Senior Director of Visitor Experience and Education at the National Aquarium, and Susan Rothrock, Director of Strategic Marketing, will be present to share information about Jellies Invasion.

Hamilton Art Gallery is located at 2927 Hamilton Avenue. Artwork will remain on exhibit in the gallery as well as in local restaurants and storefronts throughout the month of January.

Hamilton Art

2927 Hamilton Avenue

Kopi Luwak Tasting at Zeke's on January 10

Press release from Zeke's Coffee

3003 Montebello Terrace

443-992-4388

TASTE THE WORLD’S MOST EXOTIC COFFEE BEANS.

Baltimore, MD – December 28, 2009 — Local Coffee Roaster, Zeke’s Coffee, is hosting their Third Annual Kopi Luwak Tasting, a unique opportunity to drink one of the rarest and most expensive coffees in the world.

The Asian Palm Civet, or Luwak, is a small weasel like mammal that makes its home on the islands of Sumatra, Java and Sulawesi. The Luwak eats native coffee berries as a part of its natural diet, but the Luwak, being a picky eater, only goes for the ripest and freshest coffee berries. The Civet eats the coffee berries whole and digests the fruit but excretes the pit, or coffee bean. The Luwak feces is harvested, washed and sold for upwards of $600 per pound due to its rarity and unique coffee characteristics.

Due to the digestive process of the Luwak, the coffee, or Kopi, loses almost all of its natural acidity and becomes earthy and robust with a flavor like no other coffee. “Kopi Luwak is the most unique cup of coffee I have ever drank,” says Zeke’s Coffee President Thomas Rhodes. “Once you open your mind about the whole poop thing, which isn’t hard to do considering that the coffee beans are washed and roasted at over 400 degrees, then you can truly taste Kopi Luwak, an entirely unique and exquisite coffee experience.”

Kopi Luwak is one of the most expensive coffees in the world, but you do not have to pay $600 a pound to try it. On Sunday January 10th, people get to sample a cup of Kopi Luwak for just $10. They can also get a combo deal of a ticket with a Kopi Luwak T-shirt for $20. The tastings are every hour from 8am to 3pm on Sunday January 10th, and they will sell out so be sure to get your tickets now.

Zeke’s Coffee has been small batch roasting fine quality coffees from around the world since 2005. Zeke’s roasts coffee to order and only roasts ten pounds at a time, which ensures quality and freshness for all of their customers. The Zeke’s Roastery, in the Lauraville neighborhood of Baltimore, is open Tuesday through Sunday and welcomes all coffee connoisseurs to come sample some of their dozens of coffee varieties and blends.