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.)