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Me, a Secret Service Agent? No, But I Played One on TV

A couple of weeks ago I was reading my favorite Baltimore Blog: Dining @ Large written by the Baltimore Sun's Food Critic, Elizabeth Large. I noticed that one of the chores she had on her calendar for the 4th of July holiday this year was to clean her closets.

While we don't go to the Inner Harbor for the 4th Fireworks either (hot, steamy, crowded, tourists, truly crazed waiters, and such...) I thought closet cleaning in the Dog Days of Summer might be a bit over the top.

Jacob and I were, however, tossing around going back to Artscape with a couple of friends this year until all of the weather forecasts read pretty much the same: hot, steamy and maybe a code red heat-day. For the most part, we stayed in and I discovered a closet that needed some serious attention. (A note to EL: Thanks for plugging that closet cleaning chore into my subconscious.)

In my troubled office closet I found a Baltimore video from exactly 20 years ago that parallels today on several levels... FYI, I'm the Secret Service guy in the sunglasses to the left of the principle actor in this commercial. 

Like 2008, 1988 was a Presidential Election year. Cars were deeply discounted in 1988 because few folks were buying American. Less than a year earlier the NYSE dropped like a rock on Black Monday. Oil prices were headed for a huge spike. And, spike they did. In less than a year the United States would be in a Gulf War. In 1988 George H W Bush was elected President. It was an Olympic Sports year. Before he left office, President Reagan increased the budget for the war on drugs. (Yep, that also worked really well.)

When this spot was taped in Baltimore on June 15th 1988, it was as hot and humid as our 2008 July has been.

Of course, there were differences also: I just can't think of any right now.   

Become a Victim of a Terrorist IED Explosion at Baltimore's M&T Stadium. I'm Just Saying... Operation Purple Haze?

[NOTE: I haven't changed a word of this release. I'm just passing it along. To get the full impact, you must read it all.]

THE BALTIMORE
RAVENS NEED YOUR HELP
August 2, 2008  9:00am - 2:00pm

We need fans of the Baltimore Ravens to participate as actors/victims in a full-scale emergency management exercise to help us review the essential elements of emergency preparedness and response at M&T Bank Stadium.  The day-long event will start at 9:00 am on August 2, 2008 and end at approximately 2:00pm.  The Baltimore Ravens, the City of Baltimore, and the State of Maryland are testing response procedures at M&T Bank Stadium, which will serve as a hypothetical site under "attack".  Representatives of "first responders" - police, fire, volunteer agencies, stadium officials, and others - will be actively playing in dealing with this type of emergency. 

This exercise is important to the safety of the Baltimore Ravens fans and players as the exercise capitalizes, reinforces, and provides feedback to the First Responder Community.  It will also help us to develop, sustain, and provide feedback of emergency response operations as this is a great learning opportunity for the responders to examine the unique aspects of responding to a terrorist incident at our stadium.

*** Free parking will be available in lot B and free food, non-alcoholic beverages and entertainment will be provided to you throughout the day as well as a Raffle Drawing for Prizes. All volunteers will be issued a raffle ticket making them eligible to win great Ravens items plus one large flat screen TV will be raffled off at the conclusion of the exercise. ****

If you are interested in helping your favorite team, please contact Steve Carlson at 410-230-8021 or Mike Oberst at 410-230-8022.

FAQ's for VOLUNTEERS of Operation Purple Haze
Why is the exercise being conducted?
The purpose of this exercise is to improve the operational response of emergency personnel at M&T Bank Stadium.

What will happen in the exercise?
A "mock" Improvised Explosive Device (IED) will detonate inside the stadium, releasing "mock" radiological particles.  Test volunteers will be positioned at locations inside the stadium, typical of normal game-day situations.  Post-release, volunteers will be evacuated from the stadium and approximately 1/3 of those evacuated will need to undergo decontamination.  Test volunteers will undergo surface sampling to evaluate their exposure,  followed by water-based decontamination protocols, post-decontamination, volunteers will undergo another round of surface sampling to evaluate removal of the particulate tracer and then given re-dress clothing.

Who will benefit from this exercise?
The data obtained in this exercise will guide the future operational response by Federal, State, local government, and stadium partners to a terrorist attack or a natural disaster in M&T Bank Stadium as well as give extensive training to the Hazardous Material teams comprising of the Baltimore area. Effective response will improve medical treatments, reduce decontamination costs and speed the recovery to operations of affected facilities.

Why have I been asked to participate?
You have been asked to participate in this exercise because your important to this process.  As a fan and as a "mock" victim, you will have the opportunity to provide feedback to enhance the Stadium response to its fans while also helping the first response community response tactics.

What am I asked to do?
If you volunteer to participate, we ask you to do the following things:

****Arrive at M&T Bank Stadium with a swimsuit under your street clothing. Also bring a complete change of clothes, including shoes and flip flops, in a plastic bag, clearly marked with your name on the outside of the bag.****

When you arrive at lot B, you will be directed to register at Gate A and an exercise controller will be there to assist with further steps.  These steps will involve an actor briefing and at this time you will be given a choice to be a victim, get moulaged, or if you wish, you can get decontaminated. 

After the IED "explodes", you will be asked to follow the directives of Stadium Personnel, First Responders, and/or Exercise Controllers.

The total duration of your participation is expected to be no greater than 4 hours.

Is it safe to participate?
Yes.  At no time will you be in any danger. Those volunteers who are being decontaminated, are needed to evaluate the efficiency of multiple personnel decontamination methods.  The decon shower will be a cold water high-volume shower.  A comfort station will be provided to you with light food service.

What if something unexpected happens?
Your participation will be monitored by on-site medical personnel, who will oversee the decon process and intervene in case of medical distress. In the unlikely event of physical injury resulting from participation you will receive the required medical treatment.

Will I be paid for participating?
No. Test participants will not receive financial compensation for participating. 

On behalf of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Baltimore Ravens, and the State of Maryland, we thank you for volunteering to be an actor for our exercise.

General Scenario:
You will be participating as a mock victim of a terrorist attack. You will be triaged and if directed by the first responders, decontamination will occur. It will include your being washed and then re-clothed. Please wear a bathing suit, shorts and T-shirt or other outfit under your clothing and bring a change of clothes and towel. We would appreciate your wearing loose fitting, easily removable shoes. It is recommended that jewelry not be worn. Jewelry and personal items will be removed during the decontamination process, bagged and given to you to carry as you go through the decontamination line.

Before the event, you will be given a complete orientation to the incident site, the type of injury or symptoms you should simulate and what actions are expected of you. Please bring sunscreen, eat a meal and drink plenty of liquids before you come. After the event, liquids and food will be available to you.  Restrooms will also be available for your convenience.

[Final NOTE: As for me, I'd rather listen to the Jimi Hendricks' version of Purple Haze than participate in this one.]

I've Never Liked Elvis.

Never, ever. Even when he first arrived on the scene he looked soft to me. Like an under-cooked dumpling. I didn't like his voice either. Call me crazy - like many of my friends did at the time - I just didn't get the rush... And I never, ever wanted those Blue Suede Shoes. Elvis started out odd and kept getting odder.

Hold on, this really DOES have a Baltimore connection.

Today I received a note from the Creative Alliance at Patterson Park announcing some pretty cool, upcoming events. One of their best yearly series is their highly respected Art to Dine For.

Here's their tease:

"Thirty-two amazing soirees in this scintillating series of fab fall gatherings. Tour the harbor in a vintage motor launch. Go crabbing! Dig on Bahamian cuisine, dancing the night away in a cool under-gound venue. Hear Gary Vikan channel Elvis. See Doreen Bolger's gracious home. Visit world class collections of art - from ancient Indian to twentieth century Warhols. So whether you want to go Andy Goldsworthy and build art in the woods or do Baltimore glam and sip champagne in a lush garden built around five alley rowhouses. Don't miss!"

I did a double-take. Dr. Gary Vikan, director of the Walters Art Museum, will channel Elvis? I've watched Vikan lecture; I've had lunch with him. But Elvis? Then I remembered a post I'd read on Vikan's blog about Elvis. I did a quick search and sure enough the whole package comes to life. Amazing. Check out this video...

I'm thinking this is a must attend event. When Vikan is speaking about Byzantine art he's clever and funny. When he presented the branding concept for Baltimore a couple of years ago he was brilliant. (The campaign - Get In On It - not so much so.) Vikan on Elvis... I'm waiting for tickets to go on sale. Get in line behind me.

Enjoy Kennedy Center Concerts from 21201. For Free.

This isn't actually happening in Baltimore. But it's just too cool to ignore. And you can enjoy it from 21201 or 21202 or 21230 or... well, fact is you can enjoy it from 10023 or 90069 or anywhere!

The Kennedy Center's Milennium Stage Summer Concert Series is in full swing with daily presentations at 6PM. Every concert is free, no ticket required. But wait, there's more: You can watch the events live on the Internet.

"The Smithsonian Festival continues to celebrate culture, NASA, and Texas with artists such as the talented Quebe Sisters Band and Texas State Accordion Champion Mark Halata. Come enjoy concerts performed by the NSO Summer Music Institute, featuring works such as Schumann's "Rhenish" and Mahler's Symphony No. 1. Hear outstanding vocal performances by The Zionaires, The Chancel Choir, and Jamie Coon— a singer/songwriter part of the NMAI Summer Music Series. Progressive poets with the Green Mic poetry slam, multicultural melodies, and sensational soloists fill the rest of July with acts you won't want to miss!", they say. And, they say it right.

I'm looking forward to Jody Nix and the Texas Cowboys singing 50 Years of NASA and Big Balls in Cowtown. Check the schedule, they'll be on stage tomorrow, June 25th.

Young Mr. Oliver Meets His Boogyman. Up 26 Floors!

YMO gets really excited when he sees a ladybug, or a moth, or a mayfly on the outside of a window here. And we have lots of windows facing three directions. He'd never seen a grasshopper before this event and he simply froze in place. YMO tracked the creature with his eyes.

It's odd that such a face-to-face happened in the first place. Odder still was that the cat & bug stare-down went on for nearly 20-minutes. Hence, my having time to get the camera.

The bug moved a bit. Young Mr. Oliver didn't. Yeaaah, Oliver!

Johnny Dollar. Harry Truman. And Fashion?

About a year ago I wrote a short entry about a super-clever blog called Bags in Trees. A year later the BiT blog is as fascinating as ever. It's Charm City through and through; it's most of America through and through.

Moments after I posted the BiT entry last July, I received a comment from Baltimore's one-and-only Johnny Dollar. Surely you know him. If you read Baltimore-type blogs you must. Just in case you don't, he's a smile maker on the Baltimore blog scene. He's a Tiki Torch kind of guy. He like pies. He likes strong cocktails in hollowed out fruit. He has a finicky electrical panel. And based on this post, he has great taste in vintage Presidential shirts...

That being said, I'm all over this one. I want it. Wait! I think it's in my closet. I'm off on the search. Thanks for all of the fun, JD. And, thanks for bringing back the word DANG.

Detour Alert from Downtown Partnership

The Get Around Downtown Baltimore service from Baltimore's Downtown Partnership sent out an email press release this morning advising that Saratoga Street will be closed, between Charles and Cathedral Streets, for about a month. According to their detour directions, here's my map.

The reason for the closure was listed as Trigen Repairs. Yeah, OK. What's that?

Ah yes, Trigen is the company that supplies steam for heat (1,363,000 steam pounds per hour), chilled water for cooling (6,500 tons per hour), hot water (200,000 MBtus) and electricity (2.1 Megawatts) to a whole bunch of buildings in downtown Baltimore. I found these stats from a cached Trigen press release. Apparently Trigen was acquired by Veolia Energy some time ago.

You can find lots of interesting information on the Veolia Energy website if you're interested in infrastructure. Get lost in the data at your own peril.

Maryland Transit Administration + Google. What a Match!

I've just learned from the Baltimore Business Journal that our very own MTA has signed on to have Google Maps provide an extraordinary service: Online routes, alternates and times for local public transportation. This is big stuff. It's a really big deal.

While the program is still in a sort of testing Beta-stage, it already works and works very well.

Just go to the MTA website and enter your address and the address that you are headed for. And it will calculate the route, show you bus numbers, and show you a map...

But wait, there's more! You can plug in the actual time you want to leave your location or the actual time you want to arrive at your destination... and the program will give you options.

There are other interesting variables, some available now and others to be added.

I have to admit that I'm not a big user of public transportation in Baltimore. With this new information, that may just change. This is good for all. Please check this out and let the MTA know if this works for you.

Once in a While... You Just Have to Cry.

I can't imagine Sunday mornings without Russert.

And, I don't want to.

You Work in Downtown Baltimore? You're Appreciated. And Yes, You're Invited!

The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and the Clean, Safe & Beautiful Team (who, by the way, do a magnificent job), and a bundle of other sponsors are announcing the 2008 Downtown Employee Appreciation Week.

It's a week of fun stuff and activities and can make for an extended lunch hour. That's always a good thing.

The event this year is June 16 - 20 and is always a great hit. This just in from Downtown Partnership:

Celebrate Working Downtown

Downtown Partnership and the Clean, Safe, and Beautiful Team invite you to get out of the office to enjoy special events and giveaways.

Monday, June 16, noon–2 p.m. Kick-Off event at Hopkins Plaza with games, sampling* by Pepsi, 7-Eleven, and Pretzel Twist, and free ice cream. 

Wednesday, June 18, noon–2 p.m. Lunch Party at Center Plaza with free samples* from Downtown restaurants:

Mex
Pizzeria Speranza
Sofi’s Crepes
Taharka Brothers Ice Cream
Additional sampling by Pepsi and The Peanut Shoppe. Rain Location: BGE building in Center Plaza.

Thursday, June 19, 5:30–7:30 p.m. Networking Event at Power Plant Live! at the Blue Door Bar (Plaza Bar). Music by Nelly's Echo. Complimentary buffet from Mex. $2.50 beer, wine, sangria, and margaritas. The first 150 people who bring this email will receive 2 free drink tickets.

Stop by the Downtown Partnership booth each day to pick up giveaways and enter for your chance to win one of many prizes including tickets to the Baltimore Chefs and Wine Experience, gift certificates to Edible Arrangements and CENTERSTAGE, passes to the Aquarium, B&O Railroad Museum and the Maryland Science Center, and more.

Bring this email to MECU's table Monday and Wednesday to be entered to win a pair of tickets to the Baltimore Chefs and Wine Experience hosted by Sandra Pinckney and featuring Ted Allen.

How Our Inner Harbor Changed the World's Port Cities. No, Really! I'm Serious.

If you missed this last night, be certain to set your Tivo or DVR to record Maryland Public Television at 9PM July 22nd. (Channels 22 and 67)

Global Harbors: A Waterfront Renaissance is an outstanding piece of documentary work.

Baltimore Sun's architecture critic, Edward Gunts writes, "In many ways, Global Harbors is the Un-Wire. It doesn't deny the existence of crime and poverty and dysfunction in the city, but it starts with the premise that the glass is half-full. It shows Baltimore as a place where good things can happen when people put their minds to it. It dares to suggest that 50 years of rebuilding may be paying off."

I think Global Harbors' premise is that the glass is way, way more than half-full and that 50 years of rebuilding started paying off 50 years ago. It certainly did for the urban pioneers who, decades ago, bought their homes in Otterbein for a dollar.

In the Examiner, Michael Olesker notes, "What most of us didn’t know — but learn from the documentary — is the profound effect Harborplace has had on urban harbors around the world, with municipal leaders having taken their cues from the Baltimore model." I like Olesker's take, as I usually do, best.

Like all good documentaries should, this one has a website. And, if that Tivo crashes or Comcast goes down you can buy the DVD online. Trust me, it's a keeper. Spend the twenty-bucks.

100-degree Days; The Bear Facts

This early June heat wave is insane. The heat actually caused the Baltimore Sun's weather reporter and chief space cadet, Frank Roylance, to use the word "GAK" in his post today. I have nothing to add to that sentiment except this cooling video of a polar bear at the Baltimore Zoo. The images and the tune instantly dropped my personal heat index. Enjoy.

Juno Ya Wanna be on the Pier this Summer!

It's going to be a super summer in Baltimore if the Fells Point Development Corporation has anything to do with it. And, they do. And, in a big way.

Grab your favorite deck chair and head over to the South Broadway Pier for some fun summertime flicks.

The movie for July 9th is JUNO. [Thanks Corey for the correction!] Be there and enjoy. A whole lot of folks say that the soundtrack, the music, is more important than the actual film. Just in case you've been in a cave for the past couple of years or so...

Here's a video of the Moldy Peaches on ABC TV's the View.

Moldy Peaches call themselves Anti-Folk. I don't see it that way: Remember the two Guthries, Ella Jenkins, Mickey Bones and Cisco Houston? Moldy Peachs fit in with the very, very best of folk.

Go see. Tell me if I'm wrong. And, check out the full schedule of Films on the Pier.

While you're at it visit the Fells Point Development Corp's website. Sign up for their newsletter - it's all good.

Great Bones Found on Charles Street

If you were walking up Charles Street last weekend to visit Baltimore's 91st annual Flower Mart in Mount Vernon, I hope you took a moment to look in - and visit - Meredith Gallery in the North 800 Block of our favorite street.

Meredith's current - and impressuve - exhibition features the work of Len Dougherty.

Fur-Nature: Art Furniture Inspired by Nature. Check out the bones that I've discovered.

This amazing piece of hand-worked wood is called Jurassic Lounge. It's crafted from ash with a suede pillow. And I love it.

If only I had a roof-top deck. I'd try to commission a set of four - crafted in teak with waterproof microfiber pillows.

Have you ever seen such great lines?

Get on Track, You!

Just when I think that Amtrak may not actually be headed, full speed, toward a solid brick wall... they come up with another very expensive PR move. One that may or may not play to a new, younger rider audience, which is what they need. Especially a younger vacation & excursion rider audience.

The first annual National Train Day is Saturday. Major celebrations in the largest rail stations they service. It celebrates the day the Golden Spike was driven in Utah. Al Roker will be heading up the festivities in Washington, DC.

Their releases do make some good points: "Now, 139 years after the golden spike connected east and west, there’s never been a better time to take the train. Huge crowds and the frustrations that go with them burden our highways and airports. And at a time when we all share the same pressing concerns about ecology and energy conservation, trains are a more energy-efficient mode of travel than either autos or airplanes. Riding the rails is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Not to mention meet interesting people and see breathtaking scenery".

Now, that's not bad copy... though, I'm not sure about that 'interesting people' business.

Also, Jacob and I were threatened with expulsion from Baltimore's Penn Station while we were waiting for our train to DC. I was taking photos of the stained glass dome in the ceiling. Apparently that was a security breach. The security guard was large... and armed. I put the lens cap on the camera and sat down.

Don't get me wrong. I love riding the train. I just wish this PR push would let me know why the Amtrak tickets from BWI to NYP are so expensive as I'm reducing my carbon footprint.   

January 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

                       -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

Laura Lippman on Baltimore, Crab Cakes & Her New Book

Baltimore author, resident, and gal-about-town, Laura Lippman loves the Crab Cakes at Faidley's in Lexington Market just like we all do. She writes crime novels like none of us will ever be able to. She's much prettier than most authors that we'll ever know. She holds Baltimore dear, in her heart, like we all seem to. And, she wins awards like the Edgar, the Anthony, the Agatha, the Shamus, the Quill, and more. Her newest book, Another Thing To Fall is receiving rave reviews.

I keep up on her doings and such by way of Author Tracker: a service of Harper Collins, her publisher.

Check out this video from Lippman.

And, visit her personal website: LauraLippman.Com

Let's All Buy a Brick; Support a Home for Our Little, and Not-So-Little Ones.

A big, 24 year-old mother has given birth to a really big, healthy baby in Baltimore. The mother's name is Felix. The father is, for the time-being, unknown. Yep, it seems that Mother Felix was "sleeping around" prior to coming to Baltimore -- her new-born is, for now, unnamed also.

So what to do to support this unwed mother... I have the answer. Buy a brick. Yes, a brick.

...I first worked on a Zoomerang project for the Baltimore Zoo with some folks from Doner Advertising in 1998 (when Doner was on N Charles Street) and I've admired the Baltimore Zoo ever since. International attention to our zoo has been building with the announcement that Mother Felix was with child... er, calf.

Support for our Baltimore zoo is more important now than ever. And, I know that sometimes it's difficult to write a check to a general fund and not see anything you can hold in your hand.

You can't hold these bricks in your hand; you can walk on them, though. And, they will be engraved with your names and message. How's this for a thought: Buy a separate brick for each of your children. Once the bricks are installed take the kids for a grand field trip to find their names.

Let's make good things happen for the Baltimore Zoo. It will happen just one brick at a time.

By the way, do you know that the Baltimore Zoo operates a Penguin Cam?

Check it out during daylight hours. It couldn't be more fun.

You Think You Know Your Dictionary?

OK then... Head up to Baltimore's Calvert School at 4300 N Charles Street on Saturday, April 5th. Select your tiles and play Scrabble for a great cause.

The Greater Homewood Community Corporation is preparing for its 7th Annual Scrabble Fundraiser for Literacy. The annual event helps to fund their program to teach English as a Second Language and their Adult Literacy outreach programs.

Games will be available at the Social and the Competetive levels.

Entry is $30 ($20 for students with ID and seniors 62 and older). Great prizes from area retailers and restaurants. Food, refreshments, and free parking for all participants.

Call 410-261-3520 for more information. Meantime try joining the debate on the validity of Sesquioxidizing, if you dare. You'll either get 1674 points if played correctly or a serious poke in the eye!

Get LIT in Baltimore! - Part 2

I posted a note on Sunday about getting LIT in Baltimore by way of an email from Carole Evitts. Here's the follow-up...

Spring 2008 brings a lot of good things to the mid-Atlantic. One of the best promises to be this year's 5th Annual CityLit Festival. Rub elbows with, and learn from, some of the best in the literature scene on April 19th at the Enoch Pratt Free Library (downtown on Cathedral Street). 10AM - 5PM. Think: Laura Lippman, Manil Suri, Dan Fesperman, Carole Boston Weatherford, Michael Olesker, and dozens of others. This event is free to attendees and free to exhibitors. Put on your thinking caps, you Lit-Types!

President and CEO of the CityLIt Project, Gregg A. Wilhelm, wants us to know that: CityLit Project nurtures the culture of literature in Baltimore and throughout Maryland. Programs include free public events, registration-based writers' workshops and conferences, a rock-n-read concert that targets the 18-34 crowd (which represents the steepest rate of decline in reading), and efforts to get youth to dig reading and writing as creative, expressive arts.

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! (OK, too much late night TV. Way too much.) Gregg Wilhelm is too modest. Here are just a couple of quotes from those in the know:

“CityLit Festival is one of my favorite events of the year. The energy and creativity that CityLit Project brings to it--and to each of its programs--is worthy of the library’s support, and the entire community’s support.”
Dr. Carla Hayden
Executive Director
Enoch Pratt Free Library

“We value the content CityLit Project has provided the Baltimore Book Festival over the years. In a city rich with a variety of creative arts, Baltimore is fortunate to have CityLit as a champion of the literary arts.”
Bill Gilmore
Executive Director
Baltimore Office of Promotion and The Arts

“After searching for a way to become involved with the local literary community, I found exactly what I was looking for— it’s the nonprofit CityLit Project. At the happy hour, it was apparent that CityLit and JMWW are achieving their mission to nurture the culture of literature.”
Corinne Levinstein
Writer