Baltimore21201.Com - The Blog

From the Jewish Museum of Maryland. Holiday Gifts.

This afternoon, I received an email from the good folks at the Jewish Museum of Maryland. As part of their Winter Fun Break, here are a couple of events that I suggest you take advantage of:

Free Museum Admission
Friday, December 25, 2009 / 12:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Tours of historic Lloyd Street and B'nai Israel Synagogues at 1pm. Children's activities include scavenger hunts and activity books for exhibitions Voices of Lombard Street:  A Century of Change in East Baltimore and Drawing on Tradition: The Book of Esther.

Please call the Museum at 410.732.6400 or check our blog before coming as there is a chance for inclement weather on Friday.  

And,

The Day the Chickens Escaped, A Shadow Puppet Workshop!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009 / 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

$10 per family

Discover what happened the day the chickens escaped along Baltimore's Lombard Street. Create shadow puppets of chickens in pickle barrels, acting on the Yiddish theater stage, working at sewing machines, and even on roller skates! Work with award winning organization, Nana Projects, to make the puppets and put on a show. This will be great fun for everyone! 

For reservations or questions, contact Ilene Dackman-Alon, Program Director, at 410.732.6400 x214 or idackmanalon@jewishmuseummd.org.

What's Going on at the Baltimore Sun?

A headline link on The Sun's page one this morning:

"Sots at the mall won't hurt horse racing; petition to stop them might"... The piece, in Second Opinion, had the same headline.

I sent a Tweet to @baltimoresun noting their error.

@baltimoresun "Sots at the Mall Won't Hurt Horseracing..." No, but they stumble and belch a lot.

I sent it again with a link to the piece. No response. Nada.

The Sun made the correction hours later, but not before at least one commenter laughed at the lack of proofreading talent at what, lots of years ago, was one of my top five U.S. newspapers.

I don't know what sort of effect sots have on horse racing, but I'd rather not have sots at the mall. Of course, what I'd really like is someone to proofread your headlines. Posted by Gonzai.

A couple of days ago I got on the Sun's case because of a page-one, rotating ad, large and just under the banner, selling Maryland "Style" Crab Cakes made from a Pacific mud crab. (That's just so wrong for the largest newspaper in what could be equally called The Blue Crab State or The Old Line State.) Imagine what would would happen if a Louisiana or Mississippi paper was caught advertising products on their front page that were made with Asian shrimp, or Indian shrimp...

Ad placement and rotation is one thing. I understand ad rotation. But, ad placement and internal proofreading is quite another.

Apparently, I've Been Arrested. In Texas.

Or, Why It Might Be A Good Idea to Google Yourself Now and Then, from Time to Time.

When I was in elementary school, I thought that I had a reasonably unusual name. There were a lot of guys named Steve and lots more named Steven. Not many guys I knew could claim the spelling "Stephen" ...

Combined with a surname like Brockelman, it seemed that I'd probably not be mistaken for anyone else.

Lately, there seem to be a bunch of folks named Stephen Brockelman showing up on the radar. Some are doing good things in the world. Others, well not so much.

Above, is a notice from the Tyler Morning Telegraph. The only way I learned about this Texas police blotter-entry was via a potential client. The client is in the Dallas - Ft. Worth area. I sent her a proposal and a couple of days later she responded, "Been in Tyler lately"?

The lesson is, check on your identity. Be cautious of what personal information you give out. Hope for potential clients with a sense of humor. And, watch your social networking.

People, sometimes important people, are looking you up.

Baltimore Sun: What the Hell Are You People Doing?

You'd think that a venerable publisher like The Baltimore Sun would be careful about syndicated ad placement above the fold, top right, page one. Oh, that's right, the Sun is a Tribune paper. Maybe that explains it.

This afternoon I went to the Sun's website to check on info about today's Ravens - Bears game and the local TV Listings.

What did I find? A misleading ad block that overpowered every headline on page one.

And, what was the big ad selling?

Maryland "Style" Crab Cakes.

The ad head reads, "Dinner Without the Prep" -- ad subhead, "Choose a Meal for Home Delivery" -- first product listed was, yep, you guessed it: Maryland "Style" Crab Cakes. Here's the ad link photo for the crab cakes.

But wait... Does the above look like any kind of Maryland Crab Cake that you've ever seen? To me, it doesn't look like any kind of crab cake that I've ever seen. It doesn't even look like the cart vendor crab cakes at the Maryland State Fair or from the vendors at ArtScape. That's the package the Sun is selling though. Yum, yum.

Perhaps the crab cakes, offered via the Sun, look strange because they truly are. They're a mail-order thing from the institutional food seller, Schwan's.

On closer inspection of the offering, the crab in these cakes is Blue Swimmer Crab also called a Flower Crab, or Portunus Pelagicus. They are mud crabs from the Pacific, heavily harvested in China and India.

Portunus Pelagicus, is harvested in the regions tagged in red, above. Yep, those puppies will make a true Maryland style crab cake.

When a newspaper is fighting for its very life, perhaps some due diligence is in order. Or, perhaps before adding food ads to page one, the paper should ask their food editor about the rotation.

I'm thinking that Elizabeth Large could have spotted this mess.

I try to protect the reputation of my favorite city... perhaps the Baltimore Sun should, also.

"It's the Big One, Elizabeth" Part 2

We didn't make it to the Tweeples' Huge Snowball Fight in Federal Hill this afternoon.

But, we sure made the walk around Charles Street. And this evening, to Mick O'Shea's for some serious Irish Coffee.

It was totally silent downtown today. No traffic noise. No sirens. No people talking. No bagpipe players. Just the hyper-quiet, the hush of rapidly falling snow.

I was thinking, as Jacob and I walked down the center of Charles Street with no traffic in sight, how Baltimore looks its very best in the snow -- and in the spring when the flowering trees are blooming. And, how the two views are so similar. Big white snowflakes falling in the Winter; big white petals falling in the Spring.

My wish for 2010, the New Year: May Baltimore always be this peaceful and this beautiful. 

"It's the Big One, Elizabeth"

Days and days ago, Accuweather said this would be a December to Remember. I'm a believer. Photo above, early morning view from our house. More to follow as we get closer to the 20 to 30 inches of snow expected in 21201.

About Snow and Irish Coffee and 21201

Well, well, well.

It looks like Baltimore will finally get significant snow on the ground this weekend. Jacob and I couldn't be happier.

We have a tradition. Every time it snows in Baltimore, we head up Charles Street to Mick O'Shea's for Irish Coffee. And, we don't wait for a huge snow.

If there are even a few snow flakes out the window we head a couple of blocks up the street.

 
We have Bushmills in the pantry and Chock full o'Nuts coffee. We have whipped cream, also. But making our own isn't the point. Irish Coffee is something best shared with others. With friends you have, and friends yet to be made. Friends you want to throw a snowball at. Friends you want to make a snow-angel with.

Irish Coffee never tastes quite as festive at home as it does when you are in one of Baltimore's great neighborhood watering holes.

When it snows this weekend, head to O'Shea's and we'll meet you there. Then, if all is good and the snow falls heavily, we'll make some snow angels.

Of Cabbages and Kings (or Kings and their Cabbages)

 
It's that time again. Time to make reservations and make them fast.

John Shields and his Gertrude's Kraut Krafters are gearing up for their Seventh Annual Krautfest. And, Krautfest is always a night to remember. Fact is, Krautfest is so popular that this year it's going to be two nights to remember.

Here are some of the buffet highlights:

Roasted Beet Borscht with Kraut

Charcuterie Platter - Binkert's Bavarian Bratwurst, Knackwurst, Weisswuurst and Ostrowski's Kielbasa

Veggie Wurst Platter

Sour Beef with buttered noodles

Pork Meat Balls and kraut

Stuffed Cabbage Rolls - Meat and Veggie

Sausage & Kraut Corn Dogs

Kraut Seitan with garlic spinach and farfel

Kraut Braised Red Potatoes and Carrots

Desserts will include:

Double Chocolate Sauerkraut Cake

Krauty Berger Cookie Cheesecake

German Chocolate Ice Cream (no kraut) 

And the Cash Bar! Offering "Krautinis" and seasonal beers! (I have it on good authority that Krautinis are an excellent remedy for hangovers. Really good authority.)

There will be dancing, also. If piles and piles of kraut dishes aren't enough to keep your toes tapping, the Joy of Maryland will be playing big band polka music both evenings. Word has it that Joy of Maryland is one of the most celebrated bands on the East Coast.

If you're not a Baltimore regular or have been under a rock for years and years, Gertrude's is the sophisticated, highly-acclaimed restaurant in the Baltimore Museum of Art.

Gertrude's chef, John Shields, also cooks the best single fry oysters on the planet. I'm just saying...

Krautfest. January 8th and 9th. 6 - 9PM. 10 Art Museum Drive Baltimore, MD 21218 Reservations 410.889.3399 or online.

Figgy Pudding Fun Run - Deadline Approaching

I received a reminder this morning from Jason Sullivan at Fell's Point Main Street. And, I'm passing it along because everyone loves our neighbors in Fell's Point.

 

From Jason:

Come run the most scenic 5K race in Baltimore city, along the waterfront promenade and through the cobblestone streets of historic Fells Point.

All preregistered runners receive a Figgy Pudding race tee shirt and a pint of Guiness after the race! All effort will be made to provide tee shirts to runners registering on race day, however those registering day of race are not guaranteed a shirt. Pickup race packet on December 10th 2:00-6:00pm or 11th, from 2:00-7:00 at Fells Point Main Street office 1730 Bank Street, corner of Regester St., Baltimore, MD 21231 or beginning at 7:30 am race day. Race begins 9:00 a.m.

Registration is about to close for the 3rd annual Fell's Point Figgy Pudding 5K race.

Some previous race photos are here. Registration is here.

Run Date: Saturday, December 12, 2009 @ 9:00 AM

Address: Fells Point Broadway Square, 900 South Broadway

Fees: $35 advance/$40 day of race

Registration Closing Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009 @ 11:59 PM

Now then, just as an FYI: Jacob and I don't run, but we just may be there with cameras in hand for the fun!

Christmas is Always Better with Rocks

Really, really big rocks. Huge rocks. Diamonds.

I received a note the other day from my Twitter friend, Ron Samuelson (@diamondbuyer) -- Ron is the powerful force behind Samuelson's Diamonds, the 87 year old, family owned business, on West Baltimore Street.

Samuelson's Diamonds is hosting a Holiday Party on December 20th, 4 to 9 PM. And, yes they will be showcasing some huge rocks along with food, drinks, fun, and diamond give-aways.

Yep, diamond give-aways! And, if that's not enough... there will be free beer. Could it get any better?

Sure it could. If you're reading this, you're invited! Does it feel like Christmas around Baltimore 21201, or what?

BTW, the two photos above are actually diamonds from Samuelson's. I snagged the pics from their website. For the diamond give-away, Click Here to Register. The invitation is on Samuelson's Facebook page.

This just in, Jon Wood will be playing acoustic for the Samuelson's Holiday Party. Jacob and I will see you there. Somehow, I think Ron will dazzel us.