Try Something New at School 33 Art Center

Winter got you down? Check out the many new art and craft classes at School 33 Art Center at 1427 Light St. You can try out weaving, painting, printmaking, drawing, screen printing -- all skill levels welcome. Classes start in January, so sign up soon. To find out more, contact Maggie Muth at 410-396-4641 or email her at maggie.muth@promotionandarts.com. For details on classes and other upcoming events at School 33 go to: http://www.school33.org.

"Moonlight Madness" Fills the Streets

Thanks to all the merchants, shoppers, carolers, and volunteers who made this year’s Moonlight Madness a lot of fun! Starting with the Federal Hill Neighborhood Association’s annual Tree Lighting party atop Federal Hill and ending with the last gift wrapping at our Federal Hill Main Street office just after midnight, the event brought lots of people out to the streets to enjoy holiday shopping, singing, and visiting with neighbors under a Full Moon. A record 32 neighborhood shops participated, offering progressive discounts and refreshments.

A special thanks to the South Baltimore Recreation Center Choir for brightening everyone’s spirits, and to our local establishments who donated treats for the Main Street open house: Trattoria AnnaMaria, Tenzo: Art Within Pastry, DeeDee Bakery, Cross Street Market’s Mama’s One-Stop Bakery, and Dunkin’ Donuts.

Federal Hill “Hotspot” on Fox Morning News

Spoons Coffee Cafe was the perfect setting to highlight Federal Hill retail offerings to Fox 45 Morning News viewers on Dec.11.

Free coffee was offered to those who ventured out at 5:30 am to support local merchants appearing on the “Hometown Hotspot” segment. Barry Werner of Scarborough Fair was our spokesperson wearing a historic rowhouse costume created by Rosetta DeBerardinis of School 33 Art Center.

Pictured here are Kara Hanson (right), who displayed some of the unique gifts available at her Funky Beehive shop, and Kim Tyson, who brought her wreaths from My Flower Box. Kenlynn Schroeder of Lucinda Gallery displayed hand-painted ornaments, which were placed next to toys provided by Ladybugs & Fireflies. Representing the clothing boutiques was Jennifer Solomon of Whimsy/Reason. The TV camera panned across the offerings while Barry made a pitch for viewers to come to Federal Hill to shop.

The TV coverage was part of a month-long media effort to encourage local shopping in Main Street neighborhoods such as ours.

Thursday Morning: Live from Spoons!

It's the Fox 45 Morning News coming to Federal Hill! Tune in to Fox 45 on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 6:10 a.m. to catch interviews with some of your favorite local shop owners during the Neighborhood "Hotspot" segment. Better yet, come by Spoons Coffee Cafe (24 E. Cross St.) in person and show your support for Federal Hill during the live broadcasts.

Spoons will be open at 5:30 on Thursday for TV spots at 6:10, 7:10, and 8:10. Owners of Funky Beehive, My Flower Box, and Scarborough Fair B&B will be on hand to provide gift ideas and to help promote holiday shopping in Federal Hill. It will be a great opportunity to remind everyone about Moonlight Madness this Friday, 8 pm to midnight. Progressive discounts, strolling carolers, free gift wrapping at Federal Hill Main Street for purchases made that night. Don't miss it!

Getting Down with Santa at “Yulefest”

Holiday spirits were bright at the Second Annual Yulefest on Saturday despite cold temperatures. Neighborhood children delighted in a visit from Santa and an assortment of carnival games and prizes donated by local merchants. The Federal Hill Business Association sponsored the event on Mother’s Purple Patio and at Illusions Magic Lounge. Restaurants contributed refreshments for children and parents, and volunteers staffed the carnival games. The grand finale was a drawing for a $1,000 Federal Hill Shopping Spree.

Shops Show Their Holiday Spirit

Competition was fierce in the Yulefest window-decorating contest as merchants pulled out all the stops to create holiday magic throughout the neighborhood. Judges Dave Garza (Baltimore Development Corporation), Janelle Erlichman Diamond (Baltimore Magazine), and Stephanie Bradshaw (Design Consultant) selected the three winners, announced on Saturday by Jennifer Solomon (Whimsy/Reason). Come see these winners and all the decked-out storefronts throughout Federal Hill. (See photos below!)

Holiday Window Winner: Best Overall

Love Allie Boutique (Light St.)

Window Winner: Best Holiday Theme

Alexandra Webb Artisan Jewelry (S. Charles St.)

Window Winner: Most Creative

Funky Beehive (S. Charles St.)

“Historically Hip Federal Hill” Duo Debuts

Our neighborhood’s catchy slogan took on three dimensions at the “Miracle on Main Streets” kick-off event Wednesday night, thanks to the creative genius of School 33 Artist Rosetta DeBerardinis -- and the good nature of Scarborough Fair Bed & Breakfast co-owner Barry Werner.

Barry represented the “historic” element in the form of a Federal Hill rowhouse, created by Rosetta in her studio. Complete with cornice and marble steps, the costume provided the perfect segue for Barry to discuss his B&B, built in 1801.

The “hip” angle was displayed by yours truly, decked out in a costume featuring a chic hat from Vanessa’s Vintage Treasures adorned with a glittering brooch from Zelda Zen. My prop to highlight the “Best Shopping Neighborhood” in Baltimore was Rosetta’s shopping cart “sculpture” made from bags, stickers, and cards from Federal Hill shops and boutiques.

Needless to say, Barry and I attracted lots of attention as we made our way around the Admiral Fell Inn for the kick-off media event, designed to promote local shopping in Federal Hill and nine other Main Street neighborhoods in Baltimore.

Listen for snippets from Barry’s excellent interview about the shopping delights in Federal Hill on WBAL radio! And, Fox 45 television shot some footage of the Historically Hip Federal Hill duo.

See you at Moonlight Madness on Friday, Dec. 12!

Free Shuttle Bus Coming to Federal Hill

Following a series of neighborhood meetings and pressure from Federal Hill Main Street and South Baltimore Business Association, the city has extended the north-south route of its free Downtown Shuttle Bus service to the West Street Garage. The service is scheduled to begin in July 2009. The buses will be fare-free and offer frequent service. The route serving Federal Hill will run from north of Penn Station to Ostend Street, generally along Charles and St. Paul/Light Streets. (Read more in the Historic Federal Hill Main Street Nov-Dec 2008 newsletter.)

New Car-Sharing Service Discussed for Federal Hill

As seen in today's Baltimore Sun ... Baltimore CarShare is a nonprofit organization developing a program that offers an alternative to car ownership for city residents. Modeled after Philly CarShare, the program will lease cars and make them available on an as-needed basis for residents. The goal is to have cars available in early 2009. (Read more in the Historic Federal Hill Main Street Nov-Dec 2008 newsletter.)

Shop in Federal Hill this Holiday Season

Looking for a great holiday shopping experience? One that you'll actually enjoy, with less stress? Do it all without the mall! Shop Historically Hip Federal Hill. We've got a great atmosphere for shopping: unique items, convenience, and personal service. You can find everything from flowers and furniture to jewelry and clothing and even something for your canine friends.

Festive Flavors: Tuesday, December 2

We've got a busy December on tap! Mark your calendar for December 2 to sample the "FESTIVE FLAVORS OF FEDERAL HILL" all at once in this special annual event! Tickets are available in various locations; click the link below to get more information.
http://www.historicfederalhill.org/images/user/FF%20Small%20Poster%202008.pdf

Everything You Want to Know About "Festive Flavors"

How do I get tickets? Tickets are available in various locations and online at the Federal Hill Main Street web site.
Are tickets still available? Yes. But hurry! This is a very popular event and there's a limited number of tickets.
What exactly do people get for $55? The tickets include food and drink at shops, galleries, restaurants and taverns throughout Historic Federal Hill. Each participant goes to eight "stops" featuring food and/or drink at each. Shops, boutiques, and galleries offer drink and light fare, while the restaurants offer more substantial light meals and taverns/pubs provide alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Tthe culmination is dessert.
How does it work? There are 11 groups of 30 people. Each group goes to a series of assigned destinations that are in close proximity to each other. The party starts at 6 pm at Shofer's Furniture gallery on S. Charles St.
Do you walk from place to place? Yes.
Why would this be a fun thing to do? It's a great chance to eat very well and to party with old friends and meet new friends as well. Many people come back every year. It is one of our most popular events.
Where do I park? Is parking free during those hours?
There is parking available in the West Street Parking Garage. The first two hours are free. Meters on the street are free after 6 pm.