Dollar Days in Downtown Baltimore December 3 & 4

This weekend is “Dollar or Less Days” in Downtown Baltimore, where museums open for a dollar or less — and invite you to join in the fun!

This is part of the “Downtown for the Holidays” promotion, trying to bring people Downtown in the month of December.

There are 15 museums participating this year, including the Baltimore Museum of Industry, Port Discovery (Sunday only), National Aquarium, and the Maryland Science Center. Some of these museums charge much more on a regular basis, so these are fantastic deals!

Keep in mind that due to the deals, expect crowds, and limited availability. Make sure to arrive early! Here is a full list of the participating museums, and the times and days they are joining in.

Come on down to Downtown Baltimore this weekend for Dollars or Less!

Washington Monument Lighting 2011

The Washington Monument Lighting is always a popular event, with nearby museums and shops participating, and many people coming to enjoy the magic of lights, fireworks, and this year, a laser show finale choreographed to music!

This year is the 40th Annual Lighting of the Washington Monument, so expect an extra special night.

The lighting will take place Thursday, December 1, 2011 with events beginning at 5:30pm and running until about 8:00pm. The ceremony itself starts around 7:00pm, and the official lighting takes place close to 7:45pm.

The weather looks to be perfect — a little cold, but clear for the show. We have gotten used to this warmer weather, but this will feel much more like the holidays! There will be hot chocolate, food, and fun for all!

The Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts and the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore have partnered to put this on. More details can be found on the BOP site.

So bundle up, and come to Mount Vernon to celebrate the beginning of an always exciting season in Downtown Baltimore!

The Washington Monument is located at Mount Vernon Place by the Walters Art Museum at 600 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.

Photo courtesy of sidewalk flying via Flickr CC

 

Stoop Storytelling in Center Plaza Thursday October 4, 2011

**Please note, date change. It will now be October 4, 2011** This Thursday, September 22, 2011, bring chairs, blankets, and food, and join in for a neat, free event!

This FREE event runs from 5:00-7:30pm, and from 5-5:30 is free wine and beer from local vendors!

The theme of the evening will be “Scaling the Mountain: Stories of Resilience, Determination, and Battling the Odds” about overcoming adversity, objections, and rejections. It is delivered via Spoken Word and each person is given seven minutes to tell their story.

In the middle, enjoy a performance by the 5th L.

Another neat event put on by the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, Inc.. For more details, please visit their facebook page.

More great reasons to live in Downtown Baltimore!

Buying Into Baltimore Homebuying Fair East 2011

The Buying into Baltimore Homebuying Fair for the East side is this Saturday, September 10, 2011 from 8:30am-2pm.

The event begins at Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School (“Mervo”) with Check-in and Neighborhood tour sign up from 8:30-11am. There is a $10 per person charge to participate.

Home buying classes are 9-11:00am, then 11am-1:15pm are the neighborhood tours. Participants must visit at least four of the houses to qualify for the award.

What is the award? A $4,000 forgivable loan that after five years doesn’t have to be repaid, if you still live in the property you buy using that money as the primary owner.

How do you know if you qualify?

From the Live Baltimore website:

How do I get the $4,000 award?

You will be eligible for the award funds if all of the following conditions are met:

• A current homeownership counseling certificate is required. Counseling must be completed BEFORE signing a contract of sale. Click here for a list of housing counseling agencies.
• You must use this home as your primary residence.
• You close on your new home within 90 days from the event date. Contracts signed prior to the event will not be eligible for the award funds.
• Your property is within the fair boundaries.
• Your mortgage amount cannot exceed $417,000.
• You are encouraged to use a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac approved lender.
• You must invest a minimum of $1,000 from personal funds/resources.
• Purchase contracts must be signed and dated after the “Buying into Baltimore” event, not before. Contracts signed prior to the event date will not be accepted.

You must be one of the first 50 people to meet these qualifications and submit your validated/stamped ticket, proof of homeownership counseling, signed contract of sale & photo ID to Baltimore Housing, Office of Homeownership (417 E. Fayette Street, Suite 1125, Baltimore, MD 21201).

The boundary/dividing line is:

Boundary dividing line:

Starting from the North (Baltimore City/Baltimore County Line)…

• Head South on Charles St.
• To West on 29th St.
• To South on Howard St.
• To West on Camden St.
• To South on Russell St. and continue to County Line

So if you are considering buying a house in East Baltimore City, contact me to learn more!

 

Mount Vernon Washington Monument Lighting 2010

The Washington Monument Lighting in Mount Vernon happens this Thursday, December 2, 2010, with activities beginning around 5:30 pm!

Always a beautiful event, the ceremony begins around 7 pm with the actual lighting around 7:20 pm.

This is the 39th year of the event, and it is always highly anticipated! This year ELMO stops by — always a fun time for the kids! For adults, there are multiple private events to invite you to enjoy Mount Vernon. For everyone, the Walters Art Museum is offering free admission all day and the Maryland Historical Society is as well, plus they offer the Victorian Open House Celebration from 5-8 pm where you can come inside, warm up & enjoy your surroundings!

The lighting, plus fireworks, music, performances and more make this a must-do event. Last year’s Monument Lighting was cold, with some snow showers, which added to the ambiance.

So come to Mount Vernon to celebrate the beginning of a fun season in Downtown Baltimore!

The Washington Monument is located at Mount Vernon Place by the Walters Art Museum at 600 N Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.

Thank you to KyleB2007 for the YouTube Video

Downtown Baltimore Dollar Days December 4 & 5, 2010

Downtown Baltimore will be having its’ Dollar or Less Days on December 4 & 5, 2010 as part of the Downtown for the Holidays promotion in the City.

Put together and promoted by the Downtown Partnership, this is a great opportunity to visit many  participating museums, centers, and attractions in Downtown Baltimore — all for $1 or less admission!

Participating museums include the Walters Art Museum, the National Aquarium in Baltimore (which usually costs over $30 per person, so this is a GREAT deal!), the American Visionary Arts Museum (AVAM), the Maryland Science Center, Top of the World Observation Level at the World Trade Center, Historic Ships in Baltimore, and Port Discovery!

The 2009 Dollar Days promotion was such a huge success that many of the museums and attractions wanted to join in again, and there are now 17 places to attend for these inexpensive prices. Know that some have limited availability, so make sure to find out limitations, and requirements, so you are able to take advantage of these great deals!

Enjoy Downtown Baltimore for less on December 4th & 5th . Just another great reason to live and play in Baltimore!

October is Kids Month in Downtown Baltimore

The month of October is Kids Month in Downtown Baltimore, and there are still two weekends left and one full week to enjoy the festivities.

Tagging onto the Free Fall Baltimore promotion, Kids Month has many free events, or discounts on other experiences.

Saturday is a Family Concert with sing along and a free movie at the Enoch Pratt Library. The Walters Art Museum has a Free Family Festival of Wonders.

Next Saturday, Halloween Weekend, is the B&O Railroad Museum Halloween Bash and BSO Halloween Spooktacular, while Port Discovery has their Family Falloween Festival.

So come to Downtown Baltimore to enjoy both Free Fall Baltimore and Kids Month. You won’t be disappointed!

Buying into Baltimore $4,000 Incentive Fall 2010

Buying a home Baltimore just became a little sweeter for homebuyers looking on the east side.

The Housing Authority of Baltimore City sent a press release out this morning with this great announcement that 50 eligible buyers participating in the Buying into Baltimore event on September 11, 2010 will receive $4,000 towards their new home, an increase of $1,000 over the past 13 years of the program. These are 5 year forgivable loans, meaning that if the buyers remain in the home for 5 years, they will not have to repay.

The Spring Buying into Baltimore Fair was held on May 8, and was a great success.

September’s Buying into Baltimore Event & Tour will begin at Mergenthaler Vocational Technical High School on Hillen Road in Baltimore from 8:30 am – 2 pm.

From the press release:

To receive the money, participants must:
1) live in the desired home as the primary owner/occupant,
2) possess a valid homeownership counseling certificate,
3) participate in the “Buying into Baltimore” tour and have the tour ticket validated at four homes,
4) buy in the eastern part of Baltimore (see Live Baltimore website for boundary details),
5) purchase a home that is less than $417,000, and
6) sign the home sales contract after the event takes place.

Funds are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Participants must close on a house within 90 days of the eastern region fair to receive the $4,000 award. There are no income restrictions on this program, nor does a recipient have to be a first-time homebuyer.

The Boundaries, from the Live Baltimore website are:

Boundary dividing line:

Starting from the North (Baltimore City/Baltimore County Line)…

• Head South on Charles St.
• To West on 29th St.
• To South on Howard St.
• To West on Camden St.
• To South on Russell St. and continue to County Line

So if you are considering buying a house in East Baltimore City, contact me to learn more!

Baltimore Smiley Face World Record

Baltimore has a new world record for the largest human smiley face to kick off the city’s summer campaign: “Find Your Happy Place in Baltimore”.

On May 13, 2010, outside the Maryland Science Center, 261 people gathered in orange and black ponchos to create the big smiley face.

The World Records Academy reported on the new world record, giving Baltimore props for its’ Happy Place campaign.

The goal is to show how happy you can be when you visit Baltimore and to garner more tourism for the great city.

Tom Noonan, the President and CEO of Visit Baltimore stated that:

“Baltimore makes us happy everyday, and we think the world’s largest smiley face is the perfect symbol to kick off our summer travel season,”

“No matter what makes you smile, we encourage travelers from all over the country to come and find their happy place in Baltimore this summer.”

Baltimore is also a wonderful place to live for many of its’ residents.

Contact me to learn more about living in Baltimore.

Qualify for $3,000 Buying Into Baltimore 2010 Homebuyer Fair and Neighborhood Tour

This Saturday, May 8, 2010, you can qualify for $3,000 to help buy a home in the West side of Baltimore City in the Buying Into Baltimore 2010 Homebuyer Fair and Neighborhood Tour.

What do you have to do to qualify for the $3,000 award?

First, you must visit 4 of the 16 homes featured on the tour. These are just samples of homes on the market that would qualify for the award. Meet and begin at the Polytechnic Institute at 1400 West Coldspring Lane, Baltimore, MD 21209. (As a side note, the East Side Buying Into Baltimore 2010 Homebuyer Fair and Neighborhood Tour will be September 11, 2010).

More details to qualify and receive the award from the LiveBaltimore.com site:

Bring your validated/stamped ticket, signed contract of sale & photo ID to Baltimore Housing, Office of Homeownership (417 E. Fayette St. Suite 1125 – contact info will be on ticket). You will be eligible for the award funds if all of the following conditions are met:

• A housing counseling certificate is required before a commitment letter for award funds will be issued. Counseling must be completed prior to signing a contract of sale. We urge you to get this housing counseling as soon as you can; it must be completed BEFORE signing the sales contract. Click here for a list of housing counseling agencies.
• You are one of the first 50 people to submit the validated home tour ticket, valid homeownership counseling certificate, and signed contract of sale to the City’s Homeownership Office.
• You must use this home as your primary residence.
• You close on your new home within 90 days from the event date. Contracts signed prior to the event will not be eligible for the award funds.
• Your property is within the fair boundaries.
• Your mortgage amount cannot exceed $417,000.
• You are encouraged to use a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac approved lender.
• You must invest a minimum of $1,000 from personal funds/resources.
• The award is secured by a Deed of Trust written for a five-year term; the payback obligation reduces 20% for each year of occupancy and is released after the five year period.

Purchase contracts must be signed and dated after the “Buying into Baltimore” event, not before. Contracts signed prior to the event date will not be accepted.

So here you have a great opportunity to buy a home in Baltimore City and receive a reward for doing so!

Contact me for more information on the West Side Buying into Baltimore 2010 Homebuyer Fair and Neighborhood Tour.

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