Sign Up Now for "Festive Flavors"

Get your tickets now for the 14th Festive Flavors of Federal Hill on Tuesday, December 8, our annual boutique, restaurant, and tavern tour through Historically Hip Federal Hill. Groups travel around the neighborhood, stopping at six different popular retail and dining hot spots for food, drink, and fun.

Info and tickets: 410-727-4500, http://www.historicfederalhill.org/

Engraved Bricks Are In!

Come by the Main Street office and Visitors' Center, 42 East Cross Street, and check out the new engraved bricks in the sidewalk. Lots of people got creative with their messages.


This marks completion of Phase II. We have already had inquiries about Buy-A-Brick Phase III. So you might still have another chance if you missed out on the last opportunity to become a permanent part of Federal Hill.

Federal Hill Hits the Highways

You might have seen some familiar places flashing by as you drove on I-95, I-395, and I-895 last week. Free ads for local businesses were on display on four area billboards through Baltimore Main Streets' deal with Clear Channel to promote "shopping local" for the holidays.

"It was so much fun to see our ad on 95," said Andrea Shelby of Federal Hill Fitness, who took photos of several ads for the participating merchants. Eleven businesses were able to take advantage of the last-minute opportunity on the electronic billboards: Alliance Comics, Babe boutique, Blue Sky Factory, Federal Hill Fitness, Morstein's Jewelers, Ropewalk Tavern, Scarborough Fair B&B, Shofer's Furniture, SoBotanical, Stalking Horse, and Whimsy/Reason.

"Festive Flavors" Scheduled for Dec. 8

It's just about that time of year again! Groups are forming now for Festive Flavors, our annual boutique, restaurant, and tavern tour on Dec. 8 from 6-10 p.m.

Groups of about 30 spend the evening walking to select local businesses and tasting some of the best food & drink Federal Hill has to offer. Proceeds go to the Federal Hill Business Association and Federal Hill Main Street to support community improvement projects.

Tickets are on sale now for $55 per person. Groups will gather at Shofer's Furniture, 930 S. Charles St., at 6 p.m. to start the tour.

For more information, call 410-727-4500.

Miss Maryland Goes Federal Hill

Federal Hill's own Babe. (a boutique) is getting exposure far and wide as the outfitter for Miss Maryland. The Miss America candidate, Brooke Poklemba, felt it important to "go local" in selecting fashions for her public appearances around the state, region, and country.

“I always find three or four outfits that I love at Babe,” said Brooke. “And, Babe’s clothing selection is unique, so I don't have to worry about showing up in the same dress as someone else.” Babe owner Lisa Ponzoli is "thrilled." The two met at Baltimore magazine's Best of Baltimore party. (Babe won in "Best Dresses" category.)

Lisa has invited Brooke to model in the Fashion Show she is coordinating for Federal Hill Main Street’s Fest-of-All Celebration at the Baltimore Museum of Industry on February 27th, and Miss Maryland is hoping her schedule will accommodate an appearance.

Dangerously Delicious Pie Lands TV Gig

The irresistable smells wafting out of Dangerously Delicious Pies on Light Street in Federal Hill have caught the attention of the national Food Network. Owner Rodney Henry's local favorite, the Baltimore Bomb, featuring Berger's Cookies (can't go wrong with that ingredient!), will be highlighted on a future "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" show.

A film crew was on location on Thursday, Oct. 15th, to shoot and sample the "star" of the show. The group gave it rave reviews. Look for an early 2010 airing on Food Network. Pictured at right is Henry serving up the dangerously delicious delight for the camera.

Amy's Boutique Launches Charity Benefits

Shopping for a cause is now a regular part of the experience at Amy's Boutique, 1133 S. Charles Street. Each month, owner Amy Mutch selects a different charity to receive a percentage of proceeds from sales of the unique apparel, accessories, and jewelry that adorn the attractive shop. Sisters Academy, a Catholic, community-centered middle school for girls from families of limited economic means, particularly in southwest Baltimore, was the first charity selected. Students do not pay tuition for the 5th through 8th grade school, which is focused on empowering the girls "to become agents of transformation in their families, communities, and society," according to Sister Delia Dowling, SSND, President of the school, pictured above (left) with Amy during a recent reception at the shop.

Amy is taking suggestions from customers for future months."I'm willing to be as creative as the charity allows or encourages" in determining how to make this work," said Amy.

New Life for Art Exposure Project

Art installations in vacant storefronts around Federal Hill will continue for another year, with a second grant from Abell Foundation to Federal Hill Main Street. The grant enables the Federal Hill-based Art Exposure, Inc., to display works by local artists in vacant properties.

In addition to making the spaces more attractive to passers-by as well as potential businesses, the project offers exposure to artists from the Baltimore area. The grant covers art displays in three addresses in the Federal Hill commercial district, and art is rotated regularly to feature different artists. Photographs by Jerry Weinstein (pictured here) are on display at 1201 Light Street.