Maryland High School Football Finals at M&T Bank Stadium

This week is the Maryland Public Schools Secondary Athletic Association (MPSSAA)’s football finals. This year is very exciting because not only will the games be played in Downtown Baltimore at M&T Bank Stadium, they will be televised live on TV!

The first game will be Thursday, December 2, 2010 at 7 pm between Franklin High School in Reisterstown in Baltimore County and Wilde High School in Columbia, MD.

Friday night showcases Urbana High School from Frederick County against Henry A Wise in Prince George’s County.

Saturday is a double header with the first game at noon for the Class 1A title with Paul Laurence Dunbar High School in Baltimore City taking on Havre de Grace in Harford County. The second game is at 3:30 pm with Middletown High School in Frederick taking on McDonough from Charles County.

The MPSSAA is excited for this weekend, which culminates in the Sunday night Ravens game versus The Pittsburgh Steelers. This is a huge football week here in Baltimore!

So head to Federal Hill and M&T Bank Stadium in Downtown Baltimore for a half week of great football. Support the young men playing in the championships and then the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night!

Baltimore Named One of 18 Possible Official Host Cities for FIFA 2018/2022 World Cup

Congratulations to our great City of Baltimore for being named one of the 18 possible US World Cup city hosts for the 2018/2022 game!

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

Baltimore Blizzard Causes Changes in Ravens Game Sunday December 20, 2009

We are officially in a blizzard warning here in Baltimore, and this has wreaked some havoc on the last Baltimore Ravens home game of the season tomorrow.

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.

Baltimore Ravens vs Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium in Downtown Baltimore Sunday December 13, 2009

Sundays during football season in Baltimore are interesting, exciting, and fun, as the hometown Baltimore Ravens drive their fans downtown.

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!

Ravens Win Against Steelers — Great Time in Downtown Baltimore Last Night

If you were unable to be at the stadium last night, you missed the huge electric energy flowing in and around M&T Bank Stadium in Downtown Baltimore.

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!

Ravens — Good Times & Bad

Well, our Baltimore home team isn’t doing us proud so far this season, though to be honest, we shouldn’t have expected them to be playoff caliber!

Joe Flacco has had his ups & downs. He WILL be a fantastic quarterback — this year will be a major learning experience for him. And you have to give him props for as well as he has done so far! He is smart, quick on his feet, and can read the field. He just needs to learn that he can throw the ball away and to see when defenders may jump in the path of his decent throw.

What I have been most disappointed with, actually, is our defense. We have never really had a solid offense so I have come to not expect much from them. Our defense though, should be better than that! When we were home against Tennessee, the Titans converted every third down they had. HOW could we let that happen? They marched down the field! It was ridiculous!

The very next day I had the pleasure of meeting Ray Lewis. Being a Lavender Lady has been wonderful & will certainly renew. My favorite part? I am on the front page of the photos on the BaltimoreRavens.com website! HA! As he & Chris McAllister, who was there with him, were two who actually played well, I didn’t say anything negative. These two know anyway. They know the team isn’t up to par. You can bet that Ray blasted them in the locker room. He didn’t need to hear it from a fan — especially when he was doing US a favor by being there to meet & greet & sign autographs!

What this did for me though, was realize how important a team is. Whether football or real estate, you need to have a solid base behind you in order to succeed. Right now the Ravens base is cracked a little. But I see that potential and think it will get filled with time, to create that solid foundation. Personally, I have a few people that I know are solid, and would make a great foundation for a team. These agents are newer to the business but have a thirst for knowledge, understanding, and to be the BEST they can be. I remember being that way (10 years ago, is that possible?) and want to help them to succeed — which will help me to succeed.

I am thrilled to have begun organizational meetings and structural talks. With my expertise, their ideas & energy, we shall be unbeatable.

Just like the Ravens, this will take time. It is a process, but an exciting one at that.

I look forward to sharing with you the best we can be.

And me, I’m no fairweather fan. GO RAVENS!