Not many conferences have agendas that basically read like this: “Taste a variety of wines. Discuss the variety of wines. Eat something delicious (accompanied by wine). Meet the people who grew the grapes. Taste some more wine. Learn how the wine was made (and done so practically in your own backyard). Enjoy a gourmet lunch featuring some of Baltimore’s finest fare (and have some local wine that compliments it just so). Engage in discussions about how we should really all be drinking more local wine. And finally, join in the Twitter Taste-Off—sampling over two dozen wines from Maryland’s wineries.” Presumably, after this, one goes home and takes a nap. But it’s really not a particularly tough sell, is it? Read More →

Hot House: 1352 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230

Contemporary house, circa 2009, in glass, stucco, metal and brick with panoramic harbor views. 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, 3,475sq. ft. over four levels, with full floor master suite, 3 floor waterfall, roof top deck, tandem garage for two cars, electric blinds throughout: $885,000 Read More →

Attracted by the cheap rent, the National Pinball Museum moved from DC to Baltimore a little over a year ago. And now the quirky attraction is closing its doors after failing “to negotiate favorable terms with [their] landlord to extend [their] rental agreement,” according to an email owner David Silverman sent to the museum’s supporters. Read More →

Day four of Super Bowl planning week. Today, we include something for those who’d rather go out for the big day. Maybe your own television just isn’t big enough for Sunday’s blowout. Or maybe you want to actually watch during the last quarter, rather than clearing plates and loading the dishwasher. Or maybe you’ve been invited to a friend’s Super Bowl party, but you’re feeling a little squeamish about the inevitable presence of beer helmets. Fair enough. But be warned: lots of our favorite local joints will be closed during the game. One place you can count on for great, Baltimore-centric food and a chance to watch the game is the Rusty Scupper. Read More →

How quickly cries of “Hooray! Winter break!” can change into an endless loop of “I’m boooooored”s. Now that the extended family has gone, the presents are opened, and Santa is back to his 364-day hibernation, suddenly, it seems, there is nothing to do. Not, of course, that the kids wish school was in session. Anything but that. And yet, we don’t exactly have the stuff for days spent snow-shoeing and building snowmen. Thankfully, the Port Discovery Children’s Museum hears our (or our kids’) cries. Through January 1^st, the museum is offering daily activities geared at keeping kids entertained and engaged while we wait for school to start up again. Read More →

Ritz Carlton Residences, 801 Key Highway, Baltimore 21230

Brick, “modern colonial” style residence building, circa 2009, with 190 units overlooking Baltimore Harbor and marina. One bedroom, one and a half bath apartment, 1,560 square feet, with balcony, private elevator, parking, amenities: $649,000 Read More →

From the moment Baltimore Bill was spawned in the lower Chesapeake Bay, his parents knew he would be different. Unlike the other baby crabs hatched in early June, Bill is said to have raised a claw in the water, felt a warm current heading in the direction of Baltimore and headed off to make history. Read More →

Can a resident of Baltimore’s National Aquarium get attention if they’re not a terrifying shark or a super-genius performing dolphin? The biggest attractions always seem to be the animals who scare or excite us; who can outrun (or out-swim) us, and simultaneously remind us of how we are both a part of the animal kingdom, and undeniably different than its other species. But all this intellectualizing goes right out the window the second you’re face-to-face with Baltimore’s cutest new resident: a baby two-toed sloth born to Ivy and Syd, two older sloths in the Aquarium’s Upland Tropical Rainforests Exhibit.

The baby was born in late August, but has been kept hidden by its mother for the first few weeks of its life (something sloths also do in the wild). Now, almost a month later, you can expect to catch a glimpse of this other-worldy-adorableness hanging out in plain view in the Upland Tropical Rainforests Exhibit, where the sloths roam freely (if slowly) through the treetops. But be sure to plan your trip to the National Aquarium sometime soon; though sloths are famously, well, slothful, just like humans, the little ones do grow up mighty quickly.

The National Aquarium is located at 501 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. You can find out more at www.aqua.org.

Remember learning in school about the importance of the spice trade in global history? How empires were built or ruined based on explorers’ abilities to sail great distances, trading with other civilizations  for spices that were so valuable they functioned as forms of currency in their own right? We don’t know if spice giant McCormick decided to open up its first ever retail store right here in Baltimore  because of the historical connection between spices and sailing, but it sure does feel good to have new businesses crop up that somehow speak to our maritime traditions and our history as an important port city.

McCormick World of Flavors shop stocks not only the spices that you’re familiar with from your own grocery store, but also McCormick’s European lines as well. Making this much more than just a shopping experience, the store also has interactive displays including Guess That Spice, FlavorPrint and Flavors in the Making. And in keeping with the theme of spices so highly prized that they could be their own form of currency, there is even an exclusive McCormick World of Flavors product line only available in the store.

McCormick World of Flavors, Harborplace – Light Street Pavilion, Baltimore Inner Harbor
301 Light Street #1470, Baltimore, MD 21202

Fashion’s Night Out is tomorrow night and Baltimore’s getting in on the act. Limited edition items, a specialized beauty lounge, complimentary gifts and more will abound! You can even finish the night by walking down the runway showing the world the style only you can rock.

Did we mention that it’s all part of an international fashion extravaganza? Fashion’s Night Out is the fashion industry’s promotional push and it happens in eighteen countries, with more than 4,500 events in the United States. From Harbor East in the city to Towson Town Center in the county, Baltimore boutiques large and small plan a special night. Read More →