SoBo Cafe to host Reception benefiting Aspire SHARPkids Mentoring Program

SoBo Cafe is one of many small businesses in Federal Hill who is continuously giving back to its community.  They have teamed up with "SHARPkids," an after school program benefiting students of neighboring Sharp-Leadenhall, to promote their initiative and raise funds for this amazing cause. A dessert and wine reception will be held on Monday, September 30 from 7 to 9:30pm, and tickets are only $25.

On September 19, Federal Hill's Award-winning restaurant participated in Moveable Feast's 20th Annual "Dinning Out For Life," a city-wide fundraising event which takes proceeds from volunteering restaurants--between 20 and 100 percent!--and provides nutritious meals for Marylanders battling life-threatening illnesses such as HIV/AIDS. SoBo Cafe donated 20% of their Dinner guests' checks to help feed their hungry neighbors.

Just weeks before that, the contemporary comfort food restaurant hosted a "Back to School" Happy Hour benefiting The House of Ruth, Inc., which works to end violence against women and their children through outreach, education, and support.


Briana Lopes, Intern

Street Beat Band Schedule

Street Beat Festival 2013 is almost here! So you can better plan your day, and get to see the bands you love, we've put together a detailed list of performances. Where else is Baltimore can you experience over a dozen live music acts absolutely FREE!

Hamburg St. Stage

Nelly's Echo 5:30 - 7
Pasadena 4 - 5
Grilled Lincolns 2:30 - 3:30
Bond and Gently 1 - 2
I'm Just Saying 11:45 - 12:45

Cross St. Stage

Old Man Brown 5:30 - 7
Uncle Jack 4 - 5
Jenny Leigh Band 2:30 - 3:30
Olyver James Band 1:30 - 2:15
Getamunstit 12:30 - 1:15
Karmic Debt 11:30 - 12:15

West St. Stage

All Mighty Senators 5:30 - 7
ELM 4 - 5
Freedom Enterprises 2:30 - 3:30
Cara Kelly & the Tell Tale 1 - 2

Speakers of The House 11:45 - 12:45

Also, don't forget to stop by and support your local vendors!

The Rowhouse Grille

Hot Corner Lee's   

SoBo Cafe

C&R

Mothers

Ryleigh's

Fat Larry's

Nobles

Fenwick's

                 



2013 Street Beat Festival Announced

Federal Hill Main Street's biggest annual block party, Street Beat Festival, quickly approaches! The free outdoor extravaganza will take place Sunday, September 8, from 11am to 7pm.

Not only will there be dozens of food and art vendors to indulge every palate and aesthetic, we're providing the stage for live music from local artists  you know and love!

This family-friendly event has something for everyone, including the popular children's corner--Kid's Kross Street!

For more information about the festival or any FHMS events, give us a call at 410-727-4500, visit our website http://www.historicfederalhill.org/www, or stop by our office at 42 E. Cross Street.

Funk Salon: Welcome to Federal Hill!

Federal Hill Welcomes its newest business to the neighborhood--Funk! More than a salon, this beauty haven oozes unique style all its own.

 As you're draped in sultry R&B upon walking through the door, the friendly staff offer you a miniature bottle of water (embossed in their graffitti logo), and you're treated to the pleasure of plush leather sofas and high-fashion mags while you wait to be pampered.

Sophisticated, yet edgy, spa-like but with a barbershop ease-of-conversation vibe, Funk definitely caters to the modern woman who doesn't want to compromise the rare experience of having her hair professionally styled.

Funk (900 Light Street) opened its new doors June 1st, marking their five year anniversary since inception at their previous Charles Village location. Co-owner and principle stylist LaNyce Oldham says she's excited to be in Federal Hill, and the change has been well-received by both area residents and her loyal clientele.

"We love the neighborhood, it's so welcoming," says LaNyce. "We really want to be a part of the community."

As of now, the salon has two stylists who can cater to your hair needs; including color and perm/relaxer treatments and maintenance, hair extensions, and general styling. "It's urban themed. We like to play with color, and we do a lot of extensions," says LaNyce, whose glowing, healthy highlights she says she did herself. "We're looking for stylists who want to be in a fun environment, are really good with color (or are willing to learn), and applying treatments," she continues.

LaNyce says they also plan to expand their brick and mortar with the addition of a "blow-dry bar," which she anticipates will be complete by beginning of Fall 2013.


Briana Lopes, Intern

Interview with New FHMS Executive Director: Andrea Sommer

Federal Hill Main Street has a new executive director with a familiar face! Andrea Sommer -- long-time career volunteer and small business owner -- talks about her passion for community outreach and development, how her background in event planning makes her the right woman for the job, and what she has planned for the future of the organization. 

You’ve volunteered with FHMS in the past. Talk a little about those experiences and how they’ve lead you here.

I began with Federal Hill Main Street soon after it started. Leslie Simmons, who founded Little One’s Lane, first recruited me to help out with the children’s area of the festivals. I worked on that for a few years, then spent some time on the Promotions Committee. I purchased a business in the neighborhood in 2008 and continued to stay involved as a business owner, participating in various events, contributing to the newsletter, and encouraging other families in the neighborhood to be involved. When I closed my business in 2011 and started SoBoKids, many of the family volunteer projects we did were in conjunction with FHMS.


How will your education and professional background help you succeed as executive director?


After graduating from the College of William and Mary, I moved to New Orleans and worked for their Convention and Visitors Bureau, which brought conventions and major happenings, such as the Super Bowl, to the city. I began my career as an event planner after relocating to Charlotte, NC, where I worked for a hotel chain on both social and corporate events. When we moved to Baltimore, while I was expecting my first child, my focus shifted to "career volunteer." I worked with Federal Hill Main Street, my alumni association and Federal Hill Preparatory school on a variety of fundraising projects and activities. Life took a big turn when I purchased Ladybugs & Fireflies, a children's gift and toy store on South Charles Street. I loved being involved in the neighborhood as a business owner as well as parent. Both of my children attended Federal Hill Prep at the time, so my life was pretty much contained in South Baltimore. When the business closed, I started SoBoKids, which planned service projects families could do together around the neighborhood. I also contributed a family column to Main Street's newsletter, and volunteered for various community activities.

My event planning experience will help me with Main Streets biggest fundraisers: Fest of All, Festive Flavors, and the House Tour. More importantly, as a former small business owner, I am very aware of the challenges local brick and mortar stores face on a daily basis. I also am very invested in this neighborhood, and want to see it succeed not just as Main Street Director, but as a resident and a parent of kids who love living here.


What are you passionate about?


I’m very passionate about families being a part of Baltimore City, and I am proud to be raising my children here. I truly believe that neighborhoods are what make this city unique, and are what are keeps families here. We have such an amazing city as our backyard, and are part of such a wonderful community. My kids cannot walk down the street without saying hello to a person they know. They love walking into stores and restaurants where someone recognizes them. They truly have a sense of being part of community, not just one that is created by a sport they play or an activity they participate in, but a larger one that is made up of many different people who all contribute, in their own way, to making this place a wonderful neighborhood.


Why is this organization important? And how will you ensure that FHMS continues to play a vital role within the community?

Federal Hill Main Street is important because it encourages the growth of our business district while maintaining its history. The character and charm of Federal Hill was here long before we were, and FHMS is working to ensure that they will remain. The organization also considers the business district to be part of a larger community, and works with that community to achieve its goals. These are the things that drew me to the organization.

I am lucky enough to come into an organization that has been very successful over the past few years, and I hope to continue that success. The festivals and events have become an anticipated part of many people's calendars. They are great community-building events, as well as an opportunity to showcase our neighborhood to potential business owners and patrons. We will also continue to address the needs of the current business community, as well as encourage its growth. On a day-to-day basis, we will address the opportunities and challenges that face small businesses today. As a parent, I believe that creating strong neighborhoods, centered around a dynamic business district, is vital to keeping families in our city. We must encourage what makes Baltimore great -- its patchwork of unique, vibrant neighborhoods.


Briana Lopes, Intern

Midnite Confections Goes Mobile with New Cupcake Truck!

Our local, award-winning cupcakery, Midnite Confections, has recently expanded their brick and mortar store by putting their delectable desserts on the road.

"Food trucks are so popular right now," says co-owner and life-long baker Sandra McNeil.

 "We thought that by having a truck, that would give us some visibility into other neighborhoods and areas that we aren't familiar with. That might give us an idea as to whether we want to expand with another storefront or just put a couple of trucks on the road. Or, it may just give us some opportunity as far as what other business is out there for us," says Sandra.

The bakery, founded in October 2010 by mother-son duo Sandra and Aaron McNeil, specializes in hand crafting indulgent, moist, gourmet cupcakes from fresh and unique ingredients such as organic fruit, real vanilla bean, and rich liquors. Confections will offer their seven "Signature" flavors ($3 each, available year-round)--Black Velvet, Playboy, Midnite, Full Moon, Eclipse, Sublime-inal, and Birthday Cake--from their new truck, which you'll find parked in various Baltimore and DC neighborhoods starting July 13th.

The bakery also plans to make their truck available for private affairs such as weddings, parties, and corporate events, where clients can arrange to have it parked outside of the venue to cater to guests. Look for Midnite Confections' cupcake truck to appear at one of Baltimore's upcoming traveling food truck festivals, The Gathering.


Briana Lopes, Intern

Ace Hardware of Federal Hill Joins 'Made in MD' Program

Beginning August 1st, Federal Hill Ace Hardware (1214 Light Street) will participate in the ‘Think Local First Initiative’ and ‘Made in MD’ programs, which collaborate with local entrepreneurs to showcase and sell their handmade products at brick and mortar stores.

Marc Friedman and Gina Schaefer, co-owners of A Few Cool Hardware Stores (nine privately owned, non-franchised Ace Hardware locations throughout Washington DC and Maryland), first partnered with Think Local first DC in spring 2013 in order to meet the customer demand for locally sourced products. Due to their success, they’ve decided to expand the program to their Maryland stores.

“The Made in DC program was so well received that we wanted to expand it to our Maryland stores,” says owner of Federal Hill Ace Hardware, Gina Schaefer. “We love the idea of sourcing products locally, and we know our customers do too. It is our responsibility as a local business to take action to provide those opportunities for the vendors and promote economic growth in their communities.”

Interested vendors who wish to display their merchandise in Federal Hill Ace Hardware can fill out an application on their website http://acehardwaredc.com/made-in-dc-and-maryland.html You must be a Maryland resident to qualify. Supplemental materials are required. Submit your completed application to info@acehardwaredc.com by 5pm on Friday, July 5th.


Briana Lopes, Intern

Federal Hill Tech Center Launches Summer Camp

City Council President Young (center) and 

Digital Harbor Foundation Co-Executive Director 

Andrew Coy (right) watch as a student uses a 3D printer

 at the new Digital Harbor Tech Center. 

Photo courtesy of Council President Young's office.

Federal Hill’s Digital Harbor Tech Center will launch its first ever Summer Maker Camp, in partnership with the non-profit The Maker Education Initiative and with support from its founding sponsors Pixar Animation Studios, Intel, O’Reilly Media, and Cognizant (an information technology firm).

This unique program, comprised of four 2-week long sessions, will focus on engaging children ages 7 - 17 with technological innovation through hands-on exploration and mentorship. The mission is “to create more opportunities for young people to make, and, by making, build confidence, foster creativity, and spark interest in science, technology, engineering, math, the arts and learning as a whole,” according to their website.

Director of Curriculum Stephanie Grimes says the students that have already been through the school-year program (formerly Rech2Tech) have helped build what will be the new summer camp, literally helping mentors paint and renovate the facility, which is now equipped with a sound studio where students will learn about audio production. “We’re learning a lot from them. Hopefully they’re learning a lot from us,” she says.

The first summer session, “Circuit Adventures,” runs June 17-28 and teaches students how to create lamps, flying propellers, moving motors and musical projects through hands-on activities. “Digital Design & Fabrication” (July 8-19) will explore 3D design composition through use of legos and vinyl with the advanced technology of 3D printers.

During “Game Development,” July 22 - August 2, tech couches will teach kids how to develop their own digital game. “Aerial Pursuits,” the last camp session ending on August 16, will guide students through the exploration of flight as they learn about rocketry, paper planes and remote controlled aircrafts.

“We’re hoping to be able to carry these themes into the fall,” says Stephanie, “sort of that hands-on, immersive exploration.”

Each two-week Summer Maker Camp session has 20 spots, and although there is a fee, scholarship aid is available for those students who qualify.

“We’re agile enough that we can pivot with them, and we work hard to get the funding, tools, and resources they need,” says Stephanie. “For example, one of the kids broke their headphones, and they were like, ‘I can’t afford new headphones, I need to fix these,’ and we’re like, ‘here’s a soldering iron, fix them.’”


Briana Lopes, Intern