Baltimore21201.Com - The Blog

Baltimore, Sports, Preservation. Thoughts.

Hinchliffe Stadium -- Paterson, NJ -- is possibly the last surviving stadium that hosted the Negro Baseball League. Preservation, the magazine of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, has just published an extraordinary story of the stadium, its background, and its possible future.

And, it's a great read. The title is: Field of Forgotten Dreams.

Here's a short excerpt from the National Trust:

It was the spring of 1937, and Irvin, a 17-year-old rising star from the nearby city of Orange with a .666 high school batting average, was at Hinchliffe trying out for a professional baseball team. Because Irvin was African American, and because of the color barrier in the major leagues, the team was not the New York Yankees or the Brooklyn Dodgers but a Negro League ball club called the Newark Eagles.

The sweet sound of home run after home run—crack, crack, crack—attracted the attention of Josh Gibson and Buck Leonard, two Negro League players preparing for a game at Hinchliffe later that day. Irvin was introduced to the two stars, whose grace, athleticism, and dapper uniforms and dress had inspired him. Indeed, Gibson had been called The Black Babe Ruth and Leonard The Black Lou Gehrig (though some wondered if Gehrig should have been dubbed The White Buck Leonard). And on this day, Irvin learned he would play alongside his two idols. He had made the Eagles.

Even though Irvin never imagined it possible at the time, with his paltry $125-a-month salary and the seemingly unshakeable reality of segregation in America, he would become one of the first African American players to make the major leagues after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, and would go on to enjoy a Hall of Fame career as a left fielder for the New York Giants and Chicago Cubs...

I know, I know that Paterson, NJ isn't in my usual 21201 coverage area. And, baseball isn't my strong suite either. (However, after moving back to Baltimore, Jacob and I are now watching, commenting on, and truly enjoying local sports -- even when the Ravens don't look like they can play football, let alone a decent game of hopscotch.)

Here's the Preservation paragraph that brings this story home to Baltimore 21201:

Today, a heap of trash -- rotting wood, old tires, twisted metal -- rises along one end of the track that rings the stadium. Empty bottles litter the old concession area. Graffiti covers the crumbling bleachers. The burned-out roof over one bathroom represents the work of arsonists or vagrants who simply wanted to stay warm.

After the passing of our great Baltimore benefactor, Clarisse Mechanic, last month I wonder -- once again -- what the future of the Morris Mechanic Theatre will be. And, that leads me to wonder...

How are we going to save the many Baltimore architectural treasures that need to be preserved, buildings that need to be re-purposed, and areas where graffiti is simply unacceptable. Let's all think about this.

Baltimore has come a long way. Let's not let Baltimore move in the direction of Paterson.

The Sky's the Limit. Not.

Thursday, November 19th at 7:30pm -- Join WYPR’s SkyWatch hosts Jim O’Leary and Dr. Carol Christian as they reveal and discuss images from the latest Hubble Space Telescope Mission. Their lecture, Gifts from the Sky—Hubble’s Latest Images is free with RSVP.

Mr. O’Leary is the resident space expert at the Maryland Science Center and director of the IMAX Theater and Davis Planetarium. Dr. Christian is a scientist at the Space Telescope Science Institute here in Baltimore. Their show airs every Thursday on local NPR affiliate WYPR.

On September 9, 2009, scientists got their first glimpse of images from the nearly new Hubble Space Telescope, refurbished by the hugely ambitious servicing mission in May. With two new instruments and two successfully repaired cameras, Hubble resumed scientific research with more capability than ever.

Enjoy stories of the servicing mission, and explore the latest Hubble Space Telescope images of giant star clusters, new star-forming regions, exploding stars and colliding galaxies. Hear about Hubble’s quest for understanding Dark Matter and Dark Energy along with Hubble’s other contributions to our new understanding of the universe.

This lecture is free with an RSVP by phoning 410-545-5943.

Hubble Photos: Top, Giant Disk of Cold Gas and Dust Fuels Possible Black Hole at the Core of NGC 4261. Above: Detail of Saturn's Rings, Disk and Shadow.

And a Good Time Is Being Had By All

And, you can join in the fun, the food, the drinks and the good company until 6PM today, Saturday the 7th.

I just returned from a couple of hours at Let's Eat! Charles Street. The crisp Autumn air is magical and the folks on Read Street (between Charles & Cathedral) are hungry, thirsty, friendly, and having a special Saturday afternoon playing in the street.

El Guapito is doing a land-office business. As is Mick O'Shea's and The Helmand. The smells of Mexican, Indian, American, Afghan, and a half-dozen other cuisines is filling the air along with lots of happy conversation.

I worried that Let's Eat! Charles Street. being the same weekend as the Greek Festival, not far up the street, might not be a good idea. I worried for naught. Looks like folks are making it a double header. You should, also.

Thanks to Michele Coiron, Executive Director, Historic Charles Street Association for making this happen. What a wonderful way to spend a beautiful Fall day. Go now. Play in the street!

Let's Eat! Charles Street.

My parents warned me about playing in the street, but this Saturday I'll take my chances. Why? Because... well, if an event has to do with food I'm all over it.

 

And, this Historic Charles Street Association event is ALL about food AND drink.

Saturday, November 7, noon to 6PM  Come to an outdoor celebration and spend the afternoon indulging in delicious food, revitalizing drinks, live music and belly dancing provided by establishments from our Charles Street corridor!  Enjoy getting together with friends and neighbors at this Fall block party on Read Street between Charles and Cathedral. Fun for the family, admission is free and open to all, with food and drink prices to vary.  Featured participants include:

Brewers Art Restaurant    George's   El Guapito   Howard's of Mt.Vernon   Lumbini Restaurant   Marie Louise Bistro   Mick O'Sheas   Saschas 527 Restaurant   Spirits of Mt. Vernon   The Helmand

For more information about Let's Eat! Charles Street, please contact michele@charlesstreet.net or call HCSA at 410-332-4144.

Call your friends, come on out Saturday, and let's all play in the street! Did I mention that there will be revitalizing drinks? 

New Flu Shot Clinic News for Baltimore 21201

I received a note from the Enoch Pratt Library, Central Branch, on Cathedral Street. Apparently it had been in my inbox for a couple of days. Pass along the information.

Stay Healthy! Free Flu Clinics. Free Flu Shots at the Central Library. Regular and H1N1 vaccines available.

The Enoch Pratt Free Library in partnership with the Baltimore City Health Department and ACE Coalition will be holding free flu clinics at the Central Library.

Regular flu shots only: Friday, November 6, 10am - 2 pm

Regular flu and H1N1 shots: Friday, December 11, 10am – 2pm and Friday, January 8, 10am – 2pm

Doctors and nurses will be available to answer flu, pneumonia and other health questions.

The flu clinic is provided by the ACE Coalition Flu Clinic.

For more information on the free flu clinics at the Central Library, visit our website at www.prattlibrary.org. Also look for the Pratt Library on Facebook, Twitter and MySpace.

Remember at the Enoch Pratt Free Library:  “Your journey starts here.”

How much do Jacob and I love the Enoch Pratt Library? Spread your arms wide, and say, "More than THIS much!"

Ms. Mayor, You Slept With a Snake. Interactive Map Part 2

Be Careful Who You Sleep With: An Interactive Map

Walking Tour: Ten Hills

This Saturday, 1 to 3 PM. Friends of Maryland's Olmsted Parks & Landscapes host a guided tour of Ten Hills, a Baltimore neighborhood and residential development influenced by the Olmsted Firm.

In 1909, developer Charles Steffey laid out Ten Hills on the site of the old A.S. Chappel estate, keeping the natural topography intact. Edward Bouton, developer of the Olmsted Brothers-designed neighborhoods in Baltimore -- Roland Park, Guilford, and Homeland -- influenced Steffy as a community builder.

Ten Hills residents, Robert O. Hatnick and Stephen Israel will guide the tour of the picturesque area. Hatnick is an architect and principal at GWWO Inc./Architects and Hatnick is a retired archaeologist and preservation planner, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Ten Hills exemplifies the concept of a superbly planned suburban neighborhood. Lining the winding streets are houses built in the Colonial, English Tudor, Spanish Colonial, Greek Revival, and Arts & Crafts styles.

Tour tickets are $15 in advance. $18 day of the tour. For more information and to make reservations contact Heide Grundman at 410-945-0586. These tours usually sell out. Call today.

Theatre Mecca: Baltimore. Now You Know.

And, on October 22nd you can learn more about the history of legitimate theatre, vaudeville, and the early film houses in Baltimore. Think of theatre names like the Broadway, Globe, Colony, Mayfair, Stanley, Vogue, Ritz, Embassy, the Apex, the Argonne, and the Astor. They were all part of Baltimore's theatrical heritage.

Many folks don't know that Baltimore has been a theatre hub since before the Civil War when one of the first Shakespearian theatres in the United States opened here.

From Baltimore Heritage:

From Vaudeville theatres to movie palaces, the city's nearly 150 theatres spanned a wide range of sizes, architectural styles, and audiences.

Many are -- sadly -- no longer standing. Some have been renovated and privately reused or re-purposed, and, a few are still operating as theatres.

On October 22nd at the Baltimore School for the Arts, Mr. Wally Coberg will discuss and share Baltimore's place in theatre history, the city's historic theatres, and their history and their future.

Coberg is an award-winning designer and filmaker by trade. He's an avid Baltimore theatre researcher by inclination.

This very special event is part of Free Fall Baltimore and as such there is no charge and is open to the public. RSVP 410-332-9992 or hopkins@baltimoreheritage.org -- I suggest making your reservations soon.

7PM, 712 Cathedral Street. Baltimore School for the Arts. (Enter the doors on Cathedral Street, nearest Madison.)

Young Mr Oliver Likes Twitter

He's my office manager and he gets the social media business and online networking concept. And, he may just get a promotion to WOM Engineer at my business website, Baltimore's Copywriter.

His favorites: @petfoodindustry, @moderncat, and @enginecats.

Actually, Young Mr Oliver has a small, but growing, Baltimore Fan Base.

Ruby at Engine Performance on Baltimore's Historic Charles Street is one beautiful, fuzzy fan. And, we love Ruby and her little buddy, Frodo, also.

Herblock Celebrated by Library of Congress

By all estimates, Herbert Lawrence Block was one of the most influential of all U.S. editorial cartoonists. Working as Herblock, he was certainly one of the most of the award-winning.

For as long as I can remember his cartoons would make me gasp. Gasp audibly.  And, think.

Herblock's first cartoon appeared in the Chicago Daily News on April 24, 1929. It advocated for the conservation of America's forests.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of Herblock's birth, the Library of Congress and the Herb Block Foundation, in association with WW Norton Company, have published HERBLOCK: The Life and Works of the Great Political Cartoonist.

On October 15th the authors, Haynes Johnson and Harry L Katz, will discuss the retrospective volume and the public is invited. Complete information is available at LOC - News.

The book accompanies a Library of Congress exhibition titled "Herblock!" featuring 82 original Herblock drawings that have never before been displayed.

These works were selected from the Herb Block Foundation 2002 gift of the cartoonist’s entire personal and professional archives comprising more than 14,000 finished cartoons and three seminal cartoons on loan from The Washington Post collection. The exhibition is free and open to the public, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, Oct. 13, 2009, through May 1, 2010.

Make plans to head down the short road to Washington, DC in October. DC is, after all, just Baltimore's southern-most suburb. (That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.) Learn from all of the Herblock events at LOC. And while most events focus on Herblock's content, it's fascinating to see how cartoonists used to work and the artistic techniques they used. Think: blue non-photo pencil, graphite, White-Out, crayon, charcoal, white tape, opaque paint, grease pencil, and more. Tell your designer friends, this is a study in style.

Bad Decisions, Golden Girls, a Bacon Wallet

UPDATE, 9/18/09: THE GOLDEN GIRLS TRIVIA CONTEST HAS BEEN MOVED TO OCTOBER 13TH. PASS THE WORD.

What a combo! It all comes together next Tuesday, September 22nd at one of Fell's Point's best neighborhood bars. Bad Decisions - you've got to love the name - is a warm, friendly, corner bar at 1928 Fleet Street. Here's a great description of the place from Metromix.

Bad Decisions is also sort of famous for their Bacon and Beer Happy Hour and why wouldn't they be?

 
They're having a Golden Girls Trivia contest next Tuesday evening... which, I'm guessing, may go late into the night. The Twitter chatter has been growing. Crack teams are preparing. And, it's all good.

I may have to recuse myself from the competition tho, I knew Bea Arthur well. She loved to play trivia about her series. Especially Maude, she adored that show and could remember minutiae like no other.

I've donated a prize for the trivia contest and it's one that seems perfect for Bad Decisions. A super-duper, deluxe, NIB, Bacon Wallet.

It's going to be a fun night. Let your friends know. See you there. (I'll be thinking of you, Bea.)

Help Restaurants Help Baltimore.

It's important for our restaurants. It's even more important for many of Baltimore's residents. Dine out this Thursday, September 17th; Dine Out for Life.

With this single event, it's easy to make a big, long-lasting difference. Go to one of Dining Out for Life's participating restaurants and have a great meal. At least 20% of your check will be donated to Baltimore's Moveable Feast. Some restaurants are offering 50% and they are an awesome, generous group.

The proceeds from the day will help feed hundreds of men, women, and children right here in your community living with HIV/AIDS, and other life-challenging conditions such as breast cancer.

Visit the Moveable Feast website to learn more about their fine work. And, if you can't make it out on the 17th consider a donation. In these rough times every dollar counts; in these rough times everyone of their clients counts even more.

I've Never Done It for Money. But, Recognition is Nice!

That's right, while I've never blogged for bucks... a pat on the back sure feels nice. And you can help. 

Baltimore 21201 - The Vertical Neighborhood (this very blog) has been nominated for a Mobbie Award at the Baltimore Sun.

  

I'd like your vote. But, there will be no pleading, no begging, and no bribery.

If you like what you've been reading here for the past three years or so, vote. If you're new to this blog about Baltimore and Downtown Living - take a look around. There's some good stuff here.

And, if you really like what goes on here, tell your friends. Demand Threaten er, uh, Suggest that they vote, also. Today is day #1 of voting. Vote now.

Thanks!
Stephen Brockelman

Screen Actors Guild - Message for Members in VA, DC, MD and other states

Remember Rule One

Important Information to Clarify the Status of the Unions’ Agency Franchises and Union Members’ Obligations.

Because of the inherent complexities of agency relations today, SAG and AFTRA (the “Unions”) have received numerous requests from members in both the Virginia Beach and Washington, D.C. areas to clarify the status of the Unions’ agency franchises, and Union members’ obligations there under.  

Pursuant to SAG and AFTRA Agency Regulations, Union members who choose to secure the services of an agent are, generally, required to choose from a list of franchised representatives [i.e. those that are bound by the Unions’ Agency Regulations, SAG’s Rule 16(g) and AFTRA’s Rule 12-C, respectively]. However, in some areas of the country, such as Virginia, SAG and AFTRA do not have a brick and mortar presence. In such limited circumstances, we are aware that some Union members may sometimes secure representation from agents that are not franchised, with the understanding that they have voluntarily chosen to enter into those arrangements at their own risk. In the latter scenario, SAG and AFTRA nonetheless strongly encourage members who are desirous of having Union protections to seek out franchised agents in the next nearest area where SAG and AFTRA do have a physical presence (such as Washington, D.C., for example). The Unions can only protect you when you are represented by franchised agents. 

If you have made the decision to seek out non-franchised agents in areas such as Virginia, the Unions urge you to proceed with extreme caution before entering into any contractual relationship with an entity that may be operating under divided loyalties. For instance, a production company in a position to hire you that also bills itself as a “talent agency” wishing to represent you, should be thoroughly vetted before you sign on the dotted line. Union members are strongly encouraged to fully investigate companies that sell themselves as so-called “one stop shops” to ensure that there are no inherent conflicts of interest in their business models which could ultimately damage an actor’s long term career development/goals/earning capacity. e.g. if a producer you have worked for suddenly announces that it can also “represent” you as a talent agent, ask yourselves, “is this an irreconcilable conflict of interest? Is the production company more interested in keeping the costs of production down, or negotiating the highest possible wages and working conditions for my services as an actor?”  

Other warning signals that should be closely heeded include, but are not limited to:

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that seek to charge you upwards of 15% commission;

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that encourage you to abandon your Union status in order to try to secure “non-Union” work;

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that try to tether you to automatically renewing contracts;

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that purport to own any of your work product or property as an artist in perpetuity;

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” that seek to have you indemnify them for the  cost of doing business or litigation;

•    Entities claiming to be “talent agencies” who attempt to get you to agree to non-compete clauses in their contracts, essentially prohibiting you from auditioning for other employers with which they have a pre-existing relationship.

Remember: Simply signing with some entity for the sake of securing an “agent” may, if not done cautiously in conjunction with your Union office/branch and with your long term business interests in mind, cause you and your career possibly irreparable and irreversible damage. In most instances, it is just not worth the risk.

Should you have any agency-related questions, or are unclear about the status of entities with which you are seeking to work, please do not hesitate to contact SAG’s National Agency Departments at: (in LA) (323) 549-6729, AFTRA’s National Agency Department (in NY) at 212-532-0800, or the SAG/AFTRA Local Branch office (in Washington, D.C.) at (301) 657-2560. We can also be reached by email at zino.macaluso@sag.org, mcapuano@aftra.com and, locally, at jlove@aftra.com. Thank you.

And, to Screen Actors Guild & AFTRA, your members thank you!

Baltimore 21201's Hotel Monaco: A Stellar Opening Night

Jacob and I have been fans of Baltimore's grand old architecture for a long, long time. And, we've been fans of the Kimpton Hotel brand for years and years. When we first read, in the BBJ, about a possible Kimpton Hotel coming to 21201 we were thrilled.

 
When we learned that Kimpton had selected the venerable B&O Building, built in 1906, at 2 N Charles Street as the location for a new Hotel Monaco, we pondered the possibilities and the build-out and what that would mean to city-center and decided we'd stay there on opening night. We did; it was wonderful.

Our Hotel Monaco stay was a true nextdoorcation. We live just a block away.

Here's a little background on Kimpton Hotels: They are the largest operator of boutique hotels in the United States and they are truly a lifestyle brand. Their hotels are pet-friendly. You'll see a couple of doggie bowls by the hotel entrances, one constantly filled with fresh water, the other with kibbles. Both are for resident pups and the pups just passing by. Kimpton hotels are gay friendly and support the LGBT efforts in their host cities. They create hotels in stunning, architectural masterpieces that need a new life. You can read more good things about Kimpton initiatives, many more, at the their Media Buzz site.

We made reservations through Kimpton Intouch. We packed a duffel and a backpack, and headed down Charles Street on July 30th, Monaco's opening night. We left home at 5pm; we checked in around 5:15. 

We didn't dress for the stay, but lots of folks did. We wore shorts and polos and tennis shoes. And, we were treated as if were wearing our tuxes. That's the Kimpton way.

Our front desk experience was super-quick, professional, and extremely personal. So far, so good.

We were invited to the daily wine hour in the second-floor hotel living room. We headed up to our room, #1222. It was spot-on, correct. When we made the online reservation we noted that we wanted four down pillows, a king bed, a high floor with a north view, spa tub, and more.

Every single item that we asked for was provided. And we received bonuses: Iced bottled water, two plates of cookies, and a handwritten welcome note were waiting for us.

(At this point, I have to apologize for using a couple of Kimpton's stock photos. I took my Canon 20D with the L USM 16-35mm lens, newly recharged batteries, and the 580EX Speedlite. I didn't, however, put a CF card in the memory slot. Oh, swell. Just swell.) Jacob had his point and shoot camera in his backpack. It didn't serve us perfectly, but it took great photos of fish and food.

After we scoped out our room and took a look around, we called the front desk for some serious Guppy Love. Our little fish, named Charles, arrived a few minutes later, fully fed, in a pristine bowl. Check the Guppy Love link above, it's a great Kimpton program.

Our marble and granite bathroom had a neck-deep, spa tub that could easily seat two. A walk-in shower with three walls of marble. The towels were puffy and I couldn't wait to use one or two. And the faux-leather wall coverings, complete with needle-stitching emboss, were a hot touch. 

We set up our bar on the stainless steel tray provided, got ice, and had a couple of drinks. Fresh-squeezed OJ screwdrivers for Jacob. Vodka gimlets for me. Then we headed down to the newest restaurant on Charles.

The B&O American Brasserie is truly something special. A welcome addition to 21201. We didn't have reservations. And, as walk-ins, we were asked if we wanted to be on the ground floor or the mezzanine. Mezzanine, please. The perfect service continued.

A perfect Grey Goose martini arrived at our table with three olives on a bamboo skewer. Astonishingly, it arrived with a little skiff of ice on the surface. I haven't had a martini served that icy-cold since the last time Jacob and I were at the Round Robin bar in the Willard Hotel in DC. Jacob's tall, Grey Goose screwdriver arrived with a slice of orange in the glass and the true fragrance of the best Florida oranges. I didn't taste; I did sniff. Yep, very fresh, very orange.

The B&O American Brasserie has a substantial, but not extensive, menu. Our server couldn't have provided us with more perfectly-timed attention from start to finish. She knew the menu forward and backward. She recommended the Heirloom Tomato & Watermelon Salad ($10) as a starter. Jacob ordered it. I knew what I wanted. I started with Steak Tartare & Carpaccio ($12).

Both appetizers were brilliant. Presentation and complex tastes were amazing. We shared the starters and couldn't agree on which one was best.

Jacob and I know our steaks. He ordered a Petite Filet, medium rare ($28) -- it was truly petite; I ordered a Ribeye, rare ($34). Both came with duck fat fries and pickled red onion and watercress. Jacob's Filet was as tender as cake, but it was dry as dust. My Ribeye was cooked perfectly. However, it was thin and super-tough, gristle abounded. We opted not to order anything more.

B&O's beef comes from Vande Rose Farms. Perhaps it shouldn't. It was nothing special, not flavorful, and didn't live up to the special experience that Hotel Monaco and the Brasserie were providing.

In summary, our new Kimpton hotel is as wonderful as wonderful can be. You feel like royalty when you check in.

The B&O American Brasserie is still working on it's menu legs. If the Brasserie can find steaks that live up to it's appetizers -- and I'm certain that will happen -- it will be good to go.

In the whole opening process of the Baltimore Hotel Monaco, there was only one complete disappointment: Bruce Miller at Sandy Hillman Communications. I wrote to Kimpton Corporate in San Francisco and explained how pleased I was about the pending opening of the New Monaco. I asked to be informed about developments.

The next day I had an email from Bruce Miller. He promised me the world. Constant updates, etc. Despite numerous requests, the last I heard from Miller at Hillman, was on March 31st 2009. That kind of non-response is just wrong.

Lunched at Mick O'Shea's; Learned About a Real Hero

Lunch with advertising or marketing clients can be a number of things: Challenging, Obtuse, Redundant, Defeating, Informative, Educational, Small-Talk, Powerful, Impressive, and a whole bunch of other things. Some good; some not so good.

My lunches with the folks at Furst Brothers Company have always been blindingly wonderful. And, in all the right ways.

But, rarely do I sit down for lunch in one of Baltimore's best Irish watering holes for fish and chips and see a client unexpectedly bloom into extreme pride.

It happened today. I've been the ad man, the marketing guy for one of Baltimore's oldest companies, Furst Brothers Company, for several years now. It's a relationship that I've cherished from day one for more reasons than I can count.

Furst Bros. VP, Steve Jupitz, was going over plans for a new product launch that we are working on together and asked if I'd heard about his brother, Sean. I hadn't. In case you haven't, you should know about Sean Jupitz.

Impressed with Sean Jupitz? You bet I am. There's more about Sean all over the Internet: just Google.

Rarely does a client, over lunch, bring something to my attention that makes my job, my profession, seem so small. So insignificant. So unimportant. So trivial.

I promote and market businesses. And, I do it well. Sean Jupitz, Steve's brother, saves lives. Enough said.

Oysters on the Half-shell; A Baltimore Rite of Passage

Jacob and I went out on foot late this morning to run a few errands around the neighborhood. Enoch Pratt Library, the little Chinese grocery store next to Zongshan on Park Avenue, and we ended up at Regan's in Lexington Market for the big meat that I've mentioned before.

Since it was about lunch time we headed to Faidley's Seafood before we left Lexington. I didn't know it until the shucker pried open my first oyster, but I'd been having oyster withdrawal symptoms for quite sometime.

The oysters, as they always are at Faidley's, were icy cold, super-fat, and delicious. Jacob doesn't always join me at the oyster bar. He's not a big fan of seafood. He did join me today. It was hot and sweaty outside on the street and we had a couple of beers while waiting for the shucker.

And all of that is just the exposition to a wonderful scene that we watched unfold:

A 30-ish father came into Faidley's with his little blonde-haired son. They came up to the oyster bar, found a place next to us, and the red-haired father ordered a dozen prime. He watched my dozen arrive and changed his inital order to a half-dozen. He looked at us and said, "Wow, I didn't know they would be that big".

While I was busy with my oysters, the horseradish and the lemon wedges and stuff, the red-haired father began talking up the oyster tradition with his little boy.

Having grown up in the mid-west, I've never been on the youngster side of that father-son oyster talk; I listened. And, it was loving and sweet and instructive. It made the oysters all that much sweeter.

When the plate came for the red-haired father, he ate one and asked his son if he would like one. He didn't push his son. The young one said, "Show me how to do it". The father did. Perfectly.

The blonde son gulped the fat prime off of his father's plastic fork. And bit down and made a face. You know the face. The first oyster face.

He didn't like it so much. But, he ate it. A few of the locals were watching and one lady cheered when the son swollowed. She gave a thumb's up and said, "You're the MAN". The son was proud, the father was proud, and I was proud to have seen such a wonderful moment.

Baltimore's Artscape 2009 - Improved, Enhanced

This year, Artscape's 28th, you can be a VIP with all the rights and privileges that come with that special honor. At Artscape 2009 you can really strut you stuff.

There are lots of new things in store for '09. I'm thinking that the new VIP Lounge is right at the top of the list of goodies.

• Admission to the VIP Lounge,
• Two cocktails (or other beverages),
• Free light fare, food, snacks,
• Bird's eye view of the festivities,
• Discounted Artscape merchandise,
• Comfortable seating above in all in the shade,
• and more. So much more. Check the Artscape website for all the details and tickets.

For all the new stuff visit Artscape's What's New Page. See you there. See you at Artscape.

21201 - Baltimore Chinese Food Delivery

I'd forgotten I still had a post for the long-closed Eli's Chinese Restaurant on the blog until this morning when I was going through visitor logs and noticed the post was generating hits from folks looking for Chinese delivery downtown. I've deleted that post.

For the past couple of years when we want good, reliable, fast Chinese delivered we call Peking House.

When we go out for Chinese we go to Zongshan on Park Avenue. But sometimes, after a long day or when we're just feeling lazy, we call for delivery.

When you're looking for the kind of Chinese delivery that hasn't changed in decades, Peking House is the place to call. Chicken with Cashew, Shrimp with Lobster Sauce, Mongolian Beef, Hot and Sour Soup, all the standards. Their House Special Lo Mein is very good (and even better cold the next morning).

We've found that after you order from them a few times you start getting extra little surprises with your orders. A free entree, free sodas, stuff like that.

Peking House is at 11 E Baltimore Street between Charles and St. Paul. 410-539-8183 and 410-539-8184. 410-528-8898 Fax.

Just one thing: The phone order-takers usually have really intense Chinese accents. Go slow. The Sesame Chicken is worth cutting them some slack.