Federal Hill's Best of Baltimore 2010

According to Baltimore Magazine’s August 2010 issue, Federal Hill is hopping with some of the BEST businesses and services in town!

Brunch – Mr. Rain’s Fun House

Pies – Dangerously Delicious Pies

Side Dish – Regi’s American Bistro

Tequila Bar – Blue Agave

Vodka Bar – Stalking Horse

Massage – Apothecary Wellness

Personal Trainer – Reese Ashe at Federal Hill Fitness

Dresses – Whimsy

Jewelry – Alexandra Webb

... So, go out and try these establishments and meet your local business owners. We are very proud to have a neighborhood so full of success stories.

... We also have three more "Bests" from Baltimore Magazine’s annual Readers' Poll:

Bar for Watching the Ravens – Mother's Federal Hill Grille

Museum – American Visionary Art Museum

Women's Clothing Store – babe. (a boutique)

... And in the same issue, Scarborough Fair Bed & Breakfast was named and photographed as one of the Best Bed & Breakfasts in the area.

Federal Hill: Art Destination

Federal Hill’s art scene is heating up. Two beautiful new galleries opened recently, an art show at Main Street’s last street festival attracted a steady flow of buyers and admirers, and a unique art show at Lucinda Gallery pulled in impressive sales.

Art displays added pizzazz to Federal Hill Main Street’s Jazz & Blues Festival on June 6. “The festival was a great way for us to connect with the community. We were able to bring the art out where the public and neighbors could see it,” said Jordan Faye Block of jordan faye contemporary at 1401 Light St. Jordan exhibited her own work and that of 16 other local artists.

A few days earlier the Mark Cottman Gallery opened at 1014 S. Charles with brilliantly colored paintings popping out from a space brightened by a skylight (photo, above). Mark’s themes range from cityscapes to homelessness and the environment. He chose Federal Hill for his gallery because “this is a great neighborhood and people are supportive,” he said.

Federal Hill artists Jane and Al Wehrle agree. They are now filling special orders after their recent successful opening at Lucinda Gallery, 929 S. Charles. “Affordable art and varied styles: that’s what’s happening on South Charles Street,” said Jane.

Just a few steps down from the Mark Cottman Gallery is the Crystal Moll Gallery at at 1030 S. Charles. Crystal, known for her Federal Hill paintings, said, “This is just the kind of thing we need. We want people to know this street is a destination for art.”

Artists who showed their work at the Jazz & Blues Wine & Art Festival included Nick Aumiller, Halcyon Studios, Baltimore, who said: "It was great to meet and talk to people, and the location for the art venue was excellent." Nick said he was pleased with the crowd.

-- Story & photo by Helen Huriaux

Sidewalk Sale This Saturday, 11-6

There will be bargains galore along Light, S. Charles, and Cross streets this Saturday for the 4th Annual Federal Hill Summer Sidewalk Sale. Don't miss it!

Have a Happy & Safe Fourth!

Enjoy the holiday and the fireworks from atop Federal Hill!

Shop Late on "First Thursday" in Federal Hill

It's Federal Hill's "First Thursday" again! Many shops are staying open late on July 1, from 6-8 pm. Come on down for specials, refreshments, and fun at participating galleries, shops, and boutiques along South Charles and Light streets. Here are the places that will be open:

Alexandra Webb Artisan Jewelry
Amy's Boutique
Artesanos don Bosco
Babe. (a boutique)
The Book Escape
Crystal Moll Gallery
Honey's Treasure Chest
Jordan Faye Contemporary
Ladybugs & Fireflies
Lucinda Gallery
Pandora's Box
Phina's for the Home
Tradestone Gallery
Vanessa's Vintage Treasures
Whimsy

Riverside Park Concerts Begin Sunday Night

The Riverside Concerts in the Park series returns this Sunday, June 27, with the first of a great summer-long line-up! The free concerts begin at 6 pm (rain or shine) at the Riverside Park pavilion at the corner of Riverside Ave. and E. Randall St. Bring a picnic dinner and some chairs and enjoy a fun night out with your neighbors.

Here's the music line-up:

June 27 - Nelly’s Echo (soulful pop, pictured)
July 18 - ilyAIMY (percussive folk-rock)
August 1 - Captain Jack (popular cover songs)
August 15 - ellen cherry trio (literate original pop)
August 29 - Rumba Club (hot Latin jazz)

The concert series is organized by several of your hard-working neighbors with the help of many local businesses, including the Federal Hill Hospitality Association, the Steve Murphy Real Estate Team at Prudential Carruthers, Port Networks, A.J. Billig & Co., Ladybugs & Fireflies, the UPS Store at Southside Market, Bumper Globe Collision Center, Abbey Burger Bistro, Porters of Federal Hill, New Renaissance Architects & Builders, Federal Hill Fitness, and Downtown Dog Resort & Spa.

Hope to see you at the park on Sunday!

Circulator "Rider Appreciation Day" in Fed Hill Park

This Friday, June 25, from noon to 4 p.m., the Charm City Circulator is celebrating "Rider Appreciation Day" in our very own Federal Hill Park.

The event is free and open to the public. The celebration will feature games and entertainment for the children, raffle drawings throughout the day, and more. The city opened its latest free Circulator bus route - the Purple Line from Federal Hill to Penn Station - earlier this month.

Main Street Pushes for Small Business Solutions

Direct government loans and establishment of microlenders were among the suggestions for increasing access to working capital for small businesses at a roundtable discussion at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond in Otterbein on Monday, June 14. Federal Hill Main Street participated in the discussion along with elected officials, banking industry representatives and federal regulators, government officials, and small business owners.

U.S. Representative John Sarbanes said his discussions with Federal Hill Main Street helped him understand that current programs designed to help "were not reaching those that need it." Lack of access to financing for inventory purchases and other critical activities are choking small businesses.

Meetings such as this one that bring regulators, bankers, and small businesses together are being held nationwide to help identify solutions to the credit crunch.