Friday, April 27, 2012

From May 2012 Baltimore Magazine

Undiscovered Baltimore

154 Things To Do In The 10 Neighborhoods You Need To Know About

Lauraville-Hamilton

This hyphenated hamlet is really two neighborhoods tied together by the unifying thread of Harford Road’s business district, which starts in Lauraville just north of Argonne Drive and continues up through Hamilton to Northern Parkway. Quiet, tree-lined streets boasting a mix of bungalows, Foursquares, and farmhouses shoot off the main thoroughfare offering suburban ambiance within the city. Of course, these days, the area is probably best known for its many culinary hotspots (see sidebar). But the affordability of the neighborhood and its strong public and charter schools—–including Hamilton Elementary/Middle School, City Neighbors Hamilton, and City Neighbors High School—–also attracts many young families who can be found browsing the excellent selection of children’s books at Red Canoe Bookstore Café, playing in rec leagues at Herring Run Park, or biking around Lake Montebello. Parents can also enroll their budding thespians in classes at the Performance Workshop Theatre or drop off their tiny dancers at Mid-Atlantic Center for the Performing Arts, a ballet and contemporary dance studio. Mommy and daddy can have fun, too, at Charmed Life, an art gallery and tattoo parlor or at The Chop Shop, a hair salon with a 20-seat movie theater, which owner Lisa Hawks rents out for events. Downstairs from The Chop Shop is Blue Spark Barbershop, home of Bill the Barber, whose in-demand cuts start at $16. And just down the street is Beth’s DIY Workshop, where founder Beth Dellow provides space, tools, and training for do-it-yourselfers.

Destination Dining

If someone had said 10 years ago that Harford Road would become one of Baltimore’s hottest dining destinations, you would have laughed. But, now, you can eat your way from one end to the other. In fact, we recommend you do.

Fine Dining - The strip’s two highest-profile restaurants are Hamilton’s Clementine, which serves upscale comfort food and The Chameleon, which opened in Lauraville in 2001, way before Harford Road was cool.

Casual Dining - Enjoy the hefty crab cake at Koco’s Pub. The recently opened Tooloulou is favored for its Cajun cusine. Hamilton Tavern keeps ’em coming back with a seasonal menu of pub favorites. Los Amigos turns out traditional Mexican food. Big Bad Wolf’s House of Barbecue has excellent meats and sides. And the two local diners—–Lost in the 50’s and Valentino’s—–crank out classic eats, the latter 24/7.

Markets/Groceries - The Tuesday Market in Lauraville sells from June through October. Clementine’s chef/owner, Winston Blick, is opening Green Onion, a grocery which will sell Clementine prepared foods (such as their beloved charcuterie) and other comestibles. Get your daily bread at Hamilton Bakery.
Cafes - Lauraville is home to Zeke’s Coffee, which brews nearly 50 different roasts at its plant and sells them a few blocks away in a coffee shop. Try a cup with an award-winning muffin from Red Canoe Bookstore Café.

Events
The Blue Water Berry Festival in Herring Run Park is a taste of summer with barbecue, music, vendors, and a native-dessert contest. June 23, 12-4 p.m.
The 19th Annual Hamilton Street Festival & Classic Car Show goes down July 28 and features a soapbox derby. 11 a.m.-7 p.m.
First Fridays offer visual and performing arts at galleries including Hamilton Arts Collective, Studio 55, and The Hamilton Gallery. Year-round

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Wellness Fair at St Francis of Assisi on April 29

SPRING INTO WELLNESS FAIR

St. Francis of Assisi Church Hall,
Harford Rd @ Chesterfield Ave

Baltimore

SUNDAY APRIL 29TH, 10:15AM TO 1:15PM

Here is a list of just some of the free things offered:
Blood Pressure, BMI and Osteoporosis screening, Diabetes, nutrition,
heart health and Acupuncture info. chair massages, Zumba exercise
class and Johns Hopkins Safety Van for kids.
All are welcome!

Friday, April 20, 2012

MD State Boychoir Annual Spring Concert April 22

Picture from the MD State Boychoir Website

Listen to great music right in your neighborhood!

Maryland State Boychoir
Annual Spring Concert
Sunday, April 22 at 4:00 pm

http://www.marylandstateboychoir.org/

MSB Center for the Arts

3400 Norman Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21213

Tickets from $15 - $22
410-554-8644

From their website:

Join us for a thrilling afternoon of beautiful music as our Tour, Concert, Treble, Changed Voice and Handbell Choirs perform all new repertoire, including sacred choral masterworks, contemporary pieces, gospel, spirituals and folksongs. A reception following the performance!
MSB celebrates its silver jubilee this year!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Did you hear? Jill Snyder is the new executive chef at Clementine (Hamilton 21214)

Read all about it and other Clementine (Green Onion) news here!

Restaurant Association of Maryland gives top honors to Jeff Smith of the Chameleon in Lauraville

Read more about Jeff's award here in the Urbanite.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

St. Francis of Assisi School Open House May 2

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

4/28 Donovan Fund Film "The Emerald Forest"

Donovan Fund Film
April 28 at 7pm
4321 Harford Rd (2nd floor)

“The Emerald Forest”

in Honor of Earth Day a film set in the Rain Forest of Brazil

Directed by John Boorman http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089087/

Please call or e mail to reserve your spot

Chris 410-366-1980 (x271) or cmuldowney@fcsmd.org

A discussion after film is facilitated by Filmmaker & Professor Chris Reed http://www.christopherllewellynreed.com

Suggested Donation is $10 with all proceeds assisting low income seniors in meeting their basic needs

Batimore Sun article about the Donovan Fund Film http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/bs-gl-goodworks-movies-20120115,0,6543363.story

Agency web link http://www.fcsmd.org/senior-services/additional-senior-services

Events page just scroll ahead to month’s & you can see what’s ahead at

http://www.fcsmd.org/about-us/upcoming-events

Ask about pre show dinner discounts in Lauraville’s Restaurant Row

Red Canoe http://www.redcanoe.bz/cafemenu.php

Chameleon Café http://thechameleoncafe.com

Koco’s Pubhttp://www.kocospub.com

Chris Muldowney

Case Management Supervisor

Elder Services

Family and Children's Services of Central Maryland

cmuldowney@fcsmd.org

410-366-1980x271

Hamilton Crop Circle in the news!

Nice article in Bmoremedia.com about the Hamilton Crop Circle. Click here to read it.

FREE Small Business Energy-Saving Info Session April 18 in Lauraville

FREE Small Business Energy-Saving Info Session
· Learn about tips and resources to help your business save energy!
· Connect with other businesses and support sustainable change!
· Refreshments provided!
Held at Beth’s DIY - 4315 Harford Rd.
Wednesday, April 18 from 8-10 am
For more information or to RSVP:
Call Tom Caponiti at 240-687-5077 or Rachel Tillinghast at 443-752-4211
Attendance and participation are completely free

Home Improvement Classes at Beth's DIY (Lauraville 21214)

Beth's DIY 2012 Spring Schedule

4/21/12 - Bring your bicycle in and learn how to tune it up!

4/23/12 - How to Catch a Running Toilet

4/30/12 - Don't be Shocked: A Beginner's Look at Electrical Repairs

5/3/12 - Thinking About the Box: The Fundamental Building Block

5/7/12 - If Walls Could Talk: Everything you Wanted to Know About Walls, But Were Afraid to Ask

5/14/12 - Getting Floored Part 1: How to Install Ceramic Tile Floors or Walls

5/21/12 - Looking Through Walls: How to Deal With the Ups & Downs of Windows

6/4/12 - The Ins & Outs of Doors

For class details & costs, or to sign up for classes:

www.bethsdiyworkshop.com

or call 410-400-0565

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Kinkx Studio - Baltimore's ONLY KIDS Braiding Studio (Hamilton 21214)

Kinkx Studio

2926 E. Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21214

http://www.kinkxstudio.com/

From their facebook page: Servicing kids ages 14 and under, we highlight kids' beauty and uplift confidence with cool, trendy braiding styles. We execute our mission by providing a fun and entertaining atmosphere coupled with a team of witty yet professional braiders.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Enoch Pratt Free Library Hamilton Branch Calendar (Hamilton 21214)

Following is a partial list of the children events and story hours at the Hamilton Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library.

For the entire month's calendar, please clikc on the following link:

http://www.prattlibrary.org/calendar/eList.aspx?loc=Hamilton%20Branch

Calendar @ Hamilton Branch

Fairy Tale Magic	Wed, Apr 11, 3:30 p.m.
Magic John will delight you with a fun filled show based on fairy tale magic.
Mother Goose Baby Steps	Wed, Apr 11, 10:00 a.m.
An interactive nursery rhyme program with music and movement.
Preschool Leaps	Wed, Apr 11, 11:00 a.m.
Stories, songs, and fun for preschoolers.
Three Little Pigs Revisited	Sat, Apr 14, 10:30 a.m.
Listen to some alternate versions of The Three Little Pigs and design your own house.