The Purple Route runs from Penn Station to Federal Hill.

It runs through Mount Vernon, and goes through the Inner Harbor at Light Street. It runs down St. Paul Street, has multiple stops in Federal Hill and turns around at Key Highway, coming back up Charles Street.

The Charm City Circulator Orange Route, which was the first one open in March, 2010, runs an east-west route along Lombard and Pratt Streets. Now the Purple Route adds a North-South connection. The Green Route is due to open soon.

The Charm City Circulator is free bus transportation service provided by the City of Baltimore. It is designed to provide transportation around Downtown Baltimore for residents, workers, and visitors.

Also known as Baltimore Retail Week, the focus is on local retailers offering their wares with no tax this week after you pay your government taxes!

Over 50 retailers in four shopping districts, including Federal Hill, are currently participating.

Here is the full list of Baltimore Retail Week participating stores . In most cases, when you shop, you need to mention the code “BRW” to receive at least a 6% discount on your purchases.

More local retail business owners may join, so be sure to check back to see.

What a great way to showcase local businesses and give back to the Baltimore neighborhoods that have supported them in their endeavors!

The last one was just this last Saturday, as we are due to have the second blizzard in one week in the Baltimore area, the “fun” just doesn’t seem to end! We make history with this storm, and hopefully many will enjoy another good snowball fight.

Details are posted on Facebook for anyone who wants to join in. Date: February 10, 2010, Time: 2:30 pm

The likelihood is that roads will be closed so you need to live close enough to walk to enjoy this great time tomorrow. So if you live in or around Fell’s Point, don’t miss it!

Now, we need to support Baltimore and sign the petition to win our bid to become the hosts!

Our own M&T Bank Stadium would be the site of the game, and as we know from Baltimore Ravens games, it is a fantastic place to hold an exciting sporting event!

Our Downtown Baltimore is such a neat, eclectic place for visitors from all over the country and world to enjoy. The Inner Harbor has a myriad of hotels, restaurants, and events to bring people in.

The Federal Hill neighborhood near the site of the game, has its own amazing amount of wonderful restaurants, boutiques and shops for visitors to enjoy — plus a Bed & Breakfast for travelers to enjoy.

So help support Baltimore in its bid to win the Host City for the games. It will bring a great stream of revenue for our hardworking folks and the City of Baltimore!

Here is how to vote:

• Click the link: http://www.gousabid.com/city/local/baltimore-md/
• On the left side of the page there is a box where you enter your email address and zip code. Enter those and hit the “Join us” button.
• A new screen will pop up asking you to invite others to join. Do it!

Thank you!

Photo courtesy of ktylerconk on Flickr.com

Due to the snow, the game has been officially moved to 4:15 pm start time. The snow is due to end around 6 am Sunday. This was to give the City of Baltimore more time to clear the roads around M&T Bank stadium, and make travel safe for those going into Downtown Baltimore. The stadium had 700 people stay overnight to work through the snow today and clear out for tomorrow. They were housed on the club level overnight.

The most interesting connundrum this caused is that the Chicago Bears’ flight was moved from today, Saturday, to Friday night, but due to the storm arriving earlier than expected, their flight was canceled. (Read the Chicago Bears’ official blog/story).

That’s right, the opponents for the Ravens tomorrow are still in Chicago.

What does this mean?

We are not sure yet.

The Bears may be able to fly in tomorrow morning if BWI opens the runway. The game could be delayed further for Sunday night. The game could be played Monday night.

This will be an interesting story to follow as it develops further. Right now, we are snowed in, and enjoying the pretty whiteness outside.

This Sunday is another home game,  and M&T Bank Stadium on the edge of Federal Hill in Downtown Baltimore is the place to be. Beginning around 8:30 am Parking lot H will open for tailgating — and there will be a line to get in to get prime spots.

If you don’t have a tailgate of your own to attend, you can visit the Baltimore Ravens sponsored Ravens Walk across from the Johnny Unitas statue where there are games, food, and drink — much of it under cover.

Another pre-game specialty is held at Mothers Federal Hill Grille, where they have a Purple Patio perfect for tailgaiting fun. Their doors open game days at 8 am.

Gametime is 1 pm. Our Ravens have not been playing up to their potential, and they need their fans to be a strong 12th man.

Downtown Baltimore Sundays — where you will be engulfed in a sea of purple, excitement, and fun!

The tailgating lots opened at 3:20 pm and many enjoyed the warm, gorgeous afternoon hanging out with friends and watching the earlier games on TV’s brought in their cars!

We didn’t head down until about 4:30, but it was a beautiful night, and the excitement was palpable. I was happy to see a friend who I haven’t seen in over 5 years since he moved to California, but was home and came to see the game with us.

We entered the stadium around 7:30 and many were already in their seats. There were quite a few Steelers fans around, and some Baltimore Ravens fans were a bit heated with them already.

Luckily everyone settled down at gametime, which began with spectacular fireworks set off from the tops of the lights on the stadium as the players ran out, and again after the National Anthem was finished.

We began our game on a great note, taking our first drive all the way downfield and scoring a touchdown!

Then, things got tough from there.

Dixon, the rookie 3rd string Quarterback on the Steelers is a fantastic player. He is smart and very fast. Once seasoned, he will be a tough opponent to beat!

The Steelers, though down two important players from their team, were there to win.

Luckily for the Baltimore Ravens, so were they. Going into overtime, Paul Kruger intercepted a pass, and they scored a field goal (thank you, new kicker Billy Cundiff!), creating the late night win over the Steelers, and leaving happy fans to disburse in Federal Hill.

Thank goodness for the rain holding off, and the beautiful night, and the Ravens WIN! Now onto Green Bay. GO RAVENS!

Pittsburgh is only a few hours away so this is always an exciting game with fans from both sides cheering their teams on.

Neither team has been playing up to their potential, and there is no lock on who could possibly capture the wildcard spot, so this promises to be a great game. This is always a tough game for our Ravens, and we, the fans, need to be a strong 12th man for them!

Parking lots open for tailgaiting about 5 hours prior to gametime at M&T Bank Stadium on the edge of Federal Hill in Downtown Baltimore .

Expect  Baltimore to be electric for SNF and look for a sea of purple all day long.

So join in & wear your purple – and come cheer on our home team!

The price tag of this magnificent condominium? $12.6 Million .

“The completion and closure of this exceptional home is a clear indication of our success in the Baltimore market and that the real estate industry is showing true signs of recovery,” said Scott Rechler, CEO and Chairman of RXR Realty. “This sale is not only a milestone for Baltimore, but the real estate industry nationally. The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Inner Harbor, Baltimore has achieved a level of success that residential projects across the country will notice.”

The condo was created by combining three penthouse units, creating an almost 12,000 square foot home. It has unique floors, imported marble, a private movie theatre, as well as custom designed cabinetry and other detail work. The buyer is reported by the Maryland Daily Record to be author Tom Clancy.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Downtown Baltimore are located along the Federal Hill neighborhood. This home makes for the 23rd of the 191 units built sold. The rest are still available. I have been in a few of these luxurious units and seen the amazing views as well as incredible detail work.  The building amenities include a full spa, 24 hour fitness center, concierge, staffed front desk, an indoor swimming pool, exclusive movie theatre, and boat slip marina.

Prices at the Ritz-Carlton Residences begin around $600,000.

For more information on the Ritz-Carlton Residences and Downtown Baltimore, contact me!