Fell’s Point Films on the Pier 2011

Fell’s Point is joining in the outdoor film craze, and is beginning it’s Summer 2011 Fell’s Point Films on the Pier series this coming Wednesday, July 6, 2011.

Movies begin at 8:45pm on the Broadway Pier!

July 6th begins with the award winning “FIGHTER” and follows with “THE SOCIAL NETWORK” on July 13.

The movies are being put on by Fell’s Point Main Street and a number of local sponsors. More information on the group can be found on their site!

The full list of Summer 2011 movies is below:

 

 

JULY

7/6: The Fighter

7/13: Social Network

7/20: Iron Man 2

7/27: Get Him to the Greek

AUGUST

8/3: Takers

8/10: Let Me In

8/17: Twilight: Eclipse

8/24: Black Swan

So bring out your lawn chairs, blankets, and the like, and make yourself comfortable on Wednesday nights on the Pier. Grab some dinner in Fell’s Point and head over after!

Another great reason to live in Downtown Baltimore!

Photo courtesy of mathplourde via Flickr CC.

 

4th of July Baltimore Fireworks and Parades 2011

Are you staying in town for 4th of July?

There are plenty of events happening in Baltimore County.

Baltimore County 4th of July fireworks will happen on a few different days in different locations.

The Baltimore County fireworks schedule, per their website, is currently:

July 2, 2011

Eastern Yacht Club
2330 Seneca Road

Jacksonville Elementary School (rain date July 9)
3400 Hillendale Road

Martin’s West
6821 Dogwood Road

Oregon Ridge Park
13401 Beaver Dam Road

July 3, 2011

Oregon Ridge Park
13401 Beaver Dam Road

Baltimore Country Club (rain date July 8th)
11500 Mays Chapel Road

The Suburban Club (rain date July 5)
7600 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, 21209

Woodholme Country Club (rain date July 5)
300 Woodholme Avenue

July 4, 2011

Catonsville High School (rain date July 9)
421 Bloomsbury Avenue, Catonsville

Fullerton Park (rain date July 5)
4304 Fullerton Avenue

Grange Elementary School (rain date July 5)
2000 Church Road, Dundalk

Green Spring Valley Hunt Club (rain date Juily 5)
30 Greenspring Valley Road

8101 LaSalle Road (rain date July 5)
Loch Raven Academy

July 10, 2011

Hereford High School (rain date July 11)
510 Monkton Road

Usually the Baltimore County Government’s website also has the list of parades available, but this year they don’t. Here is a compilation of what I was able to find:

Towson Fourth of July Parade
July 4, 2011 10:30am
Towsontown Blvd & Bosley Ave, Towson, MD

Catonsville Fourth of July Parade

July 4, 2011 3:00pm
Frederick Rd, Catonsville, MD

Dundalk Fourth of July Parade
July 4, 2011 8:15am
Beginning at Logan Point Shopping Center
Dundalk, Maryland

Hereford Independence Day Parade

July 10, 2011 3pm

Do you know of any other Baltimore County 4th of July parades? Let me know, and I will add them to the list!

 

 

Greenspring Station Kids Creativity Workshop

Greenspring Station in Lutherville hosts its’ annual Kids Creativity Workshop this Saturday, June 25, 2011 from 12-3pm.

“Pastry Chef For A Day” runs the whole time, with cupcakes ready to be decorated by young “pastry chefs”. This is being held by Cheseapeake Cupcake.

At 1pm, Charm City Kids Club will have a music class called, “Minishakers”.

Urban Farmhouse asks kids to join in discovery of spices and herbs, as they will smell, touch, & taste them, while also mixing them to create their own blend!

And, as we all know, duct tape fixes most things, right? Well, Charm City Kids Club will have the young ones using the stuff in a unique craft.

More information can be found on their website.

Also, don’t forget the Greenspring Station Farmers Market from 2-5pm each Saturday in the Stone Mill Bakery parking lot!

So much for the family (including great shopping!) this Saturday at Green Spring Station. Come on up to Lutherville for the fun!

Towson High Schools Rank in Newsweek Top 500

Towson High Schools were ranked in Newsweek’s Top 500 list on June 19, 2011, and Towson residents should be proud.

Seven Baltimore County Schools made the list (18 total for the State of Maryland). According to the Newsweek article:

…each school’s score is comprised of six components: graduation rate (25%), college matriculation rate (25%), AP tests taken per graduate (25%), average SAT/ACT scores (10%), average AP/IB/AICE scores (10%), and AP courses offered (5%).

Carver Center led the Towson pack at #232. Towson High School ranked #413, and Loch Raven High ranked #443.

Other Baltimore County High Schools that made the list were Essex Technical (#131!), Hereford High School in Sparks was #219, Pikesville High #388, and Dulaney High School in Timonium #446.

It goes to show why many feel living in Towson is great!

Baltimore FHA Loan Limits May Drop in Fall

FHA loan limits across the United States had been set at a higher level to help the housing market from further decline, and in September 2010 that was extended through September 2011.

The current loan limit in Baltimore County, Baltimore City, and Harford County is $560,000 for an FHA loan. This means that you can get an FHA loan of up to $560,000 for a house in Baltimore.

If the loan limit extension is allowed to expire, then that limit will be dropped to $494,500 (a drop of $65,500!)

When I think of the Timonium housing market, or Towson house values, many homes are in the $450-550,000 range, and if this extension were to expire, those from $500-560,000 no longer would qualify for FHA financing, which could hurt homesellers in a big way.

Many Towson homebuyers do not have a large percentage to put down on a home, and would need the low 3.5% downpayment program that FHA has to offer. If the loan limits drop, this could bring house values down. How?

Here’s a possible example:

Today, you meet with a REALTOR(R), and after meeting, you determine that your house is worth around $525,000. A qualified buyer using FHA secured financing can currently buy your home.

As of October 1, 2011, that same buyer would not be able to buy your house. What do you think would happen? Might their best & highest offer be $494,500, then, since they need FHA secured financing?

So what can you do? Read more details and information about the bill from the National Association of REALTORS(R). Find out who your local representatives and senators are here, and make your voice heard. Tell them that “H.R. 1754 has been introduced in the House by Reps. Miller (R-CA) and Sherman (D-CA) to make the current limits permanent. No similar bill has yet been introduced in the Senate” and that this bill needs to pass!

Happy First Day of Summer, Baltimore!

Happy First Day of Summer, Baltimore!

The day started off cloudy and rainy, even the York Manor Pool in Lutherville was empty (as you can see by the photo)!

This afternoon the sun came out, and the temperature is rose, so hopefully many will be able to get out & enjoy the “longest day of the year” (or at least, enjoy the longest day of daylight!)

Happy Summer Solstice! Stay cool & stay safe!

Sip, Savor and Shop at Towson Town Center June 23, 2011

A number of stores at Towson Town Center are coming together to support the United Way of Central Maryland at “Sip, Savor, and Shop” on Thursday, June 23, 2011 from 5-8pm.

Participants 21 & older can buy a ticket for $25 to enjoy wines from local Maryland wineries Boordy, Basignani, and Woodhall, savor food from The Cheesecake Factory, Stoney River Legendary Steaks, and P.F. Changs, and shop exclusive sales at participating stores. Currently the stores include: Banana Republic, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Best Buy Mobile, Bose, Coach, Coldwater Creek, Crabtree & Evelyn, Crate & Barrel, Ed Hardy, Fire & Ice, Francesca’s Collection, Gap, J.Crew, Lacoste, Lush, Macy’s, Michael Kors, Papyrus, Pottery Barn, Radcliffe Jewelers, Sephora, Tiffany & Co.

It will be held in the Crate & Barrel Court – Level 2.

This event for United Way of Central Maryland is being sponsored by Towson Town Center, M&T Bank, Baltimore Magazine, Maryland Wine, and Flowers & Fancies.

It sounds like it could be a fun evening, so come to Towson for some great prices, food, and drink, all to support the wonderful cause of United Way of Central Maryland!

Earth, Wood & Fire in Baltimore

Have you been wondering what is going on at the corner of Falls Rd and Clarkview Drive just north of Mt. Washington in Baltimore?

The building has housed a number of things, most recently a popular coffee shop.

Earth, Wood & Fire is owned and will be run by local Baltimoreans, three of whom met while they worked downtown in the Legg Mason building, and the fourth who is a childhood friend of one.

The menu will be comprised of coal fired food, including pizzas!

Earth, Wood & Fire is due to open Fall 2011. I’ll be following their progress on their facebook page!

Earth, Wood & Fire will be located at 1407 Clarkview Road, Baltimore, MD 21209.

Pot Spring Development Must Conform to Current Zoning

There is good news for the homeowners near the Pot Spring and Old Bosley Rd intersection, where a 33 home development had been proposed, and almost presented to the Baltimore County Council.

The lot is currently zoned for 13 homes, while the larger development would have been designed for a 55+ community, adding another 20 homes to the current zoning.

The potential Pot Spring development caused an uproar in the community, because of the additional traffic, drain on resources, and lack of parking would have caused issues for the currently standing communities.

Councilman Todd Huff was ready to propose a change in zoning for the planned unit development, but listened carefully when his new constituents came to him.

The Pot Spring community is located just north of Timonium in Cockeysville.

They are, I am sure, feeling more confident that their Cockeysville house values shouldn’t be compromised by a development not suited for the area.

Pimlico Racetrack Fair

There’s a new fair in Baltimore at the Pimlico Racetrack and it begins this weekend and runs weekends through July 4, 2011!

On Fridays, it is open from 5-10pm, while Saturdays & Sundays it is open 1-10pm.

There is a petting zoo, dog & pony show, magic show, Wild West show, games and more for fun for all ages.

The rides are sure to be a big hit, and you can buy a ride bracelet for $25 there (or here for a short time, $20 by getting them in advance – there are a limited number available at the discount). Tickets are $1.25 each, but most rides take more than one ticket.

Admission to the fair itself is $5 per person, but there is an online special for advance purchase of 2-for-1 by filling out a request form online here.

It’s exciting to have a new fair in Baltimore City, and I look forward to seeing how it goes! Come on down to the all new Pimlico Race Track Fair over the next three weekends!

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