Federal Hill’s Annual Spring Block Party is Coming Up!

Make sure to come out on Sunday, April 29^th for Federal Hill Main Street’s annual Spring Block Party!!! It will be held from 11AM-7PM on Cross Street in Federal Hill.

This is definitely a festival you won’t want to miss. There will be tons of food and drink such as funnel casks, fried fish, and port beef and turkey paellas. Various vendors and arts and crafts will be sprinkled throughout Cross Street selling things like like Oriole’s and Natty Boh T-shirts, unique and original jewelry, candles, and other accessories. Bands including Nelly’s Echo, Can’t Hang, The Players, Stereo Trigger, Soul Island Rebels, The Reserves, Jenny Leigh Band, Kazmat, Scott’s New Band, and more will be performing live throughout the day. Towson University athletics is also running a football toss game.

This will be such a fun event, make sure to come, bring your friends and family, and have a great time!

Sara Flood, Intern

Get Ready Federal Hill for the National Main Street Conference

Get ready Federal Hill… for about 2000 visitors! This week, April 1-4, thousands of Main Street program officials, volunteers, and fans from all over the US are gathered at the Baltimore Convention Center for the National Main Street Conference. This year’s theme, “Rediscover Main Street,” will focus on the four categories of our Main Street Approach: Business and Economic Development, Design, Organization, and Promotion.

Given Federal Hill’s close proximity to the conference coupled with its 2009 “Great American Main Street” award, we will definitely be a popular destination for attendees. The Federal Hill Business district will also be highlighted in two educational tours (April 1 and 2). Attendees will visit our neighborhood, check out façade improvements, beautification efforts, historic renovations, learn about our new microloan program from local small businesses, and other initiatives to strengthen the commercial district. Here’s where YOU come it. The tours will also include “free time,” giving tourists time to shop, dine, and enjoy all of what Federal Hill has to offer.

So get ready to show them what Federal Hill truly is- a friendly, close-knit, and extremely energetic community.

- Sara Flood, Intern

Cross Street Market Design Event Draws Crowd

What a great Architectural Event last night! Lots of people came to view architecture students' visions for Cross Street Market including professors, Cross Street Market stall owners, customers, fans, and many community residents.

At this event graduate students from Morgan State University and University of Maryland-College Park showcased their impressive drawings and models and discuss their projects with friends and residents of Federal Hill. These semester long graduate studio projects focused on new designs for Cross Street Market.

This was not only a unique and interesting opportunity to see models and plans, but it was also a social event. People mingled, talked about the Market and the neighborhood, and just had a great time! The fourth floor of 1111 Light was the perfect space for the event, as it is still under construction. The blank walls were excellent for displaying the designs, against the backdrop of a gorgeous view facing west.

Thanks to the graduate students and professors from Morgan State University and University of Maryland-College Park for their hard work and creative designs. Thanks also to all our volunteers, friends, and neighbors who came out to review the drawings and models and talk with the students. The 4th floor of 1111 Light Street, now nearing completion, was the perfect venue. What a view!

-Sara Flood, Intern

Join Us This Thursday for a Cross Street Market Architectural Design Showcase

You are invited! Join Federal Hill Main Street and graduate architecture students and professors from Morgan State University and University of Maryland- College Park this Thursday for an architectural design showcase. Here you will be able to review innovative design concepts for the Cross Street Market area of our Federal Hill neighborhood.

This exciting event is taking place this Thursday, March29th from 7-9 PM at 1111 Light Street, 4th floor.

All are welcome! You will have an opportunity to look at the drawings and models, meet the students who created them, mingle with neighbors, and get a sneak preview of the insides of the 1111 Light Project.

Light refreshments will be served. We hope to see you all there! For more information you can call 410-727-4500 or e-mail us at admin@historicfederalhill.org.

- Sara Flood, Intern

New Video Showcasing Federal Hill!!!

Check out this new video showcasing our great Federal Hill community! It focuses on the eclectic and extensive mixture of small businesses that decorate the streets of our neighborhood. It is these business owners, that we all know and love,

who bring life to our business district and community as a whole. We will be showing off this video at the National Main Streets Conference that will be held in Baltimore April 1-4. At this conference hundreds of Main Street programs and supporters, like our own, from all over the country will gather and learn how to

enhance their own unique neighborhoods.

Federal Hill Main Street would also like to give a BIG thanks to the local Hack|Stone Film Group for donating your time and doing such a great job on the video!

- Sara Flood, Intern

Apothecary Wellness Attracts Naturopathic Doctor Homa Hashime

Relaxation begins with your first step into Apothecary Wellness as the earthy tones and healing scents surround you. This serenity is only deepened as you are greeted by the welcoming faces of their reputable staff. One of the newest members to join the team is Dr. Homa Hashime, a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist.

Naturopathic doctors combine the knowledge of modern science with the wisdom of nature to restore and rejuvenate a person’s vital energy. Naturopathy focusses on a holistic healing approach, says Dr. Hashime. “We heal the whole person, their body, their mind, and their emotions.”

As the only doctor in Federal Hill with her unique skillset, Dr. Hashime brings a variety of specialized services to our community including acupuncture, craniosacral therapy, and cupping. “I have a lot to offer, and I want people to use my services,” she says. Although, some of these techniques may sound unconventional, and even a little scary, they are actually painless and have been used for centuries in Eastern medicine.

“It works… It just works,” says Dr. Hashime, who gets treatment herself once a month. “So why not try it?” Apothecary Wellness even offers group acupuncture sessions at a reduced cost, so you can learn more about the practice with your friends.

So this month be spontaneous, try something new… you deserve it!

- Sara Flood, Intern

March 15th, Federal Hill's Third Thursday

Don’t forget to come to Federal Hill for this month’s THIRD Thursday, March 15th!

This event always makes for a fun and exciting night. Local shops, galleries, and clothing and jewelry boutiques stay open late as the streets of Federal Hill are lively with people shopping and dining. There are tons of great specials and free refreshments. Keep an eye out for the colorful balloons that will be placed outside of participating businesses.

The following businesses are participating:

South Charles Street

- Afters Cafe

- Alexandra Webb Artisan Jewelry

- Artesanos Don Bosco

- Brightside Boutique

- Crystal Moll Gallery

- Curiosity for the Home

- Divine Designs & Events

- Lucinda Gallery & Gifts (see image)

- Mark Cottman Gallery

- Midnite Confectioners’ Cupcakery

- Phina’s for the Home

- Vanessa’s Vintage Treasures

Light Street

- Apothecary Wellness

- Bobabooi’s Treasure Chest

- Book Escape & Tradestone Gallery

- Cross Street Tobacco

- Doggie Style

- Jordan Faye Contemporary

- Lovelace Showroom

Cross Street

- Pandora’s Box

--Sara Flood, Intern

Free Federal Hill Social Media Seminar for Business Owners!

Federal Hill Hospitality, Mother’s Federal Hill Grill, and RockIt Digital Marketing are sponsoring a FREE social media seminar. This event is geared towards business owners in our Federal Hill Community.

This seminar will teach business owners the basics of social media and marketing. You will learn how to attract and engage an audience using social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. Then how to take it to the next level and turn these fans, followers, and friends into transacting customers. This is a great opportunity to learn the essentials of marketing in our modern, technological society and at no cost to you.

The event will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday March, 27^th at Mother’s Federal Hill Grill (1113 S. Charles St.). Please note that space is limited, so RSVP now at http://rockitdigital.com/socialseminar/

- Sara Flood, Intern