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Boh and wife

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This Saturday, Natty Boh and Miss Salie Utz are getting hitched. Or chipped. Or whatever chips and beer do together.

You may have seen the billboard on the JFX. Natty Boh, mascot of National Bohemian Beer, proposed to Miss Salie Utz, of Utz Snacks fame, in 2007. Four years later the two are finally getting married.

I asked a spokeswoman for the couple what took them so long, but she said the couple has no comment at this point.

And of course, in classic celebrity style the two will make it a public wedding. The publicity stunt will be held at Power Plant Live! at noon Saturday to kickoff Smyth Jeweler’s new TV ad featuring the pair of Baltimore icons.

The whole shebang is put together by MGH, which created the original pairing of the two icons when it posted the billboard for Smyth four years ago.

Category: Advertising, Baltimore, food

Getaways: Film fest, flowers and free comic books

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It’s back again! The Maryland Film Festival is here for our viewing pleasure Thursday through Sunday. Tickets are $10 for most screenings, so get them soon after checking out the great schedule.

John Waters will be presenting “Domaine,” while Animal Collective presents “Boxer’s Omen.” So, if nothing else, you’ll see some local celebrities there, and Harry Belafonte for the closing night special documentary. Speaking of movies, Belafonte’s very name always evokes this scene in my head.

Now, free comic books. Head to Atomic Books in Hampden to get free comics and to celebrate the debut of the third issue of Mutant. You can also jump over to the Collectors Corner in Parkville for free comics, free pizza, a trivia contest and appearances by comic creators and characters.

And it’s Flowermart this weekend! Both Friday and Saturday, the festival will go on from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in Mt. Vernon’s parks near the Washington Monument. Check out dance performances, contests, music, parades, food and of course, flowers.

Category: Baltimore, entertainment, film, food, music, retail

Getaways: Sweetlife and Towsontown

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First thing: after yesterday’s Art Donovan post, my “crack research team” finally found the glorious moment in which Mr. Donovan can be found in that Pete and Pete episode. About 1:30 in of part 3 of the episode. Also, a young Steve Buscemi! Who knew? Thanks, crack research team.

So, if you’re not jetting off to Scotland and some exotic island for your honeymoon like these folks are, then you might be in need of some weekend plans. Festivals are kicking off this weekend, meaning plenty of food and music for all.

There’s the always interesting Towsontown spring festival on Saturday and Sunday. Entering the festival is free, but there’s plenty to do and see between the live music, food, pony rides, magic shows, NASCAR displays and other carnival-type stuff.

And while we’re on festivals, the Sweetlife Festival will be at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia on Sunday. The annual celebration brings music and food from local farmers. Some of the festival’s musical acts are pretty big names too: The Strokes, Girl Talk, Ra Ra Riot and Lupe Fiasco, among a bunch more. Tickets are $55 for general admission, a bit high, but goers will see a neat littany of artists and get some local and organic food.

Category: Baltimore County, entertainment, food, music

Getaways: Easter weekend and a Bunny Bonanzoo

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This weekend the weather should be a bit better than last weekend’s, and more suitable for letting the kiddies loose on the lawn for Easter egg hunting.

But if you’re looking for a more fun venue this year, the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is having their Bunny Bonanzoo. Free with zoo admission, children can go egg hunting in the fields of Waterfowl Lake Pavilion near the zoo’s main gate entrance.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., children who find five different eggs will receive Mary Sue candy treats. And if your child isn’t up for egg hunting, the festival also has games, crafts and children’s entertainers, as well as food vendors. The excitement starts Friday and lasts through Sunday.

For some Easter brunches, Langermann’s in Baltimore, The Rumor Mill in Ellicott City and Donna’s in Cross Keys and Columbia have good offerings for that Sunday. (Sorry for the unintentional pun.)

And if you feel pretty (oh so pretty) and want to step out for a night on the town, “West Side Story” will be at the Hippodrome for the weekend and is a good excuse to get out. The musical will run Friday through Sunday at different times, and tickets range from $22 to $77. So check out the Hippodrome’s site for more details.

Category: Baltimore, Business, entertainment, food, holidays, music, religion, restaurants

S’long salami sandwich

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As many Baltimoreans who have been trying to place phone calls on Monday would know, it is Passover eve. And many are taking off early to celebrate and to rid their homes of leavened bread for the next eight days.

Interestingly enough, Lenny’s Deli opened in Harborplace in the Pratt Street Pavilion last week, probably to capitalize on the crowd that can’t buy more bread right before the holiday, but still needs a sandwich fix. I bet lots of places have been getting pre-Passover business.

Owner Alan Smith and his father, Lenny Smith, opened the third location after recently celebrating the 25th anniversary of Lenny’s in Owings Mills. The 3,100-square foot space offers much of the corned beef and typical deli sandwich fare served at the other two locations.

So, if you’re not that excited for brisket or figuring out how to substitute matzah for a bowl of cereal, here’s a new alternative for your last leavened meal.

Category: Baltimore, food, holidays, Inner Harbor, retail

Getaways: On the Waterfront

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Come one, come all (creatures, perhaps).  This weekend will be a good one to head over to Westport Waterfront for the new Cirque du Soleil show, “Totem.”

There will be a 4 p.m. show and an 8 p.m. this Saturday, and a 5 p.m. viewing on Sunday, for the show that will focus all sorts of aesthetically bewildering tricks and performances on the evolution of mankind. Tickets range from $49.50 to $225 for the event.

Another viscerally colorful event going on this weekend is the Baltimore Tattoo Arts Convention, going on Friday, April 8 through Sunday April 10 at the Sheraton Baltimore City Center Hotel. Tickets are $20-$40, and kids 12 and under are free for admission.

There will be plenty of entertainment going on as well, with music by Lazlo Lee and the Motherless Children and burlesque performances by Rigor Mortis Revue. What’s in a name?

And if you’re looking for something more palatable for everybody, there’s the Grilled Cheese Sandwich Cook-Off! (Grilled cheese is worth the exclamation point.) For $10, you get to hang around the Mt. Washington Tavern to watch top chefs and home cooks duke it out over one of the best comfort foods, and then you get to eat their handiwork.

The cheesy goodness starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday.

Category: Baltimore, entertainment, food, hotels, music, Pat Turner, tourism

Getaways: Under the JFX

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Photo from Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts website

It isn’t really feeling like spring yet. That’s unfortunate. Nonetheless, Baltimore’s spring-like events are moving forward, rain or shine.

The Baltimore Farmers’ Market & Bazaar is opening a month earlier this year, on Sunday. The day starts bright and early at 7 a.m. under the Jones Fall Expressway, and goes until about noon (although some vendors will stay there until they sell most of their produce or goods).

You’ll find all sorts of fruits, vegetables, meats, herbs, flowers, etc.  It was there I once got hooked on wasabi peas, and haven’t since been able to find their equal.

And if you’re too lazy to wake up this Sunday, the market will be there every Sunday until Dec. 18 this year.

For a slightly crazier, hog honkin’ time, the Beer, Bourbon and BBQ Festival is this weekend too. Both Friday night and Saturday afternoon, the event at the Timonium Fairgrounds will have food, music, and unlimited beer and bourbon tastings, complete with food eating contests. Tickets are $25 to $55.

Atomic Books will hold its opening night for “Vinylmore” on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The annual art toy show is free and runs throughout April. Participating artists design, paint and add on sculptural pieces to customize vinyl art toys.

Category: Baltimore, entertainment, food, music, retail, tourism

Spend your lunch with the Baltimore Blast

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The Baltimore Blast are headed to the Major Indoor Soccer League championships this year for the sixth time in nine years.

To celebrate, the Blast are throwing a party downtown on Thursday so visitors and those on their lunch break can mingle with the players and join in. The celebration will be at noon at Hopkins Plaza on Charles and Baltimore streets. There will be music, free food and Blast paraphernalia, as well as the chance to win tickets to the championship game.

As for the game itself, Baltimore will play against the Milwaukee Wave at First Mariner Arena on Friday. The game will be at 7:35 p.m. and tickets range from $16 to $30.

Category: 1st Mariner, Baltimore, environment, food, sports, Uncategorized

Getaways: Lots of food (and some pretty pictures)

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In case St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t have you thoroughly wiped out through the weekend, there are still some things to do around Baltimore. Or maybe you’re just not into the green spirit anyway.

The Second Annual Foodie Experience will be at the Hippodrome Theatre Saturday, starting at 8 p.m. Food Network’s Alton Brown will headline the event, which will have post-show tastings featuring food from local restaurants and caterers. Tickets for the event range from $94 to $250.

And if you’re looking to celebrate any other ethnicity besides that Emerald Isle one, the first annual Baltimore Greek Week will kick off Sunday. Participating counties will celebrate the 190th anniversary of Greek Independence with specials from area restaurants and stores, featured Greek wines, guest speakers, artwork and dance that incorporate the culture. The kick-off event will be hosted at Ikaros Restaurant.

Also, in case you haven’t seen these exhibits yet, check out some art while you’re recovering from St. Patrick’s Day. Maybe go see them again. The Walters Art Museum has a new exhibit on reliquaries, the containers of saints’ remains. The Baltimore Museum of Art’s modern photography exhibit, Seeing Now: Photography Since 1960, has some great pieces from Cindy Sherman, Helmut Newton and Gary Winogrand.

Category: Baltimore, entertainment, food, holidays, tourism

More grilled cheese, please

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With National Cheese Lovers Day celebrated Jan. 20 and the Green Bay Packers reaching the Super Bowl, it seemed like a good time to call Vic Corbi, owner of Grilled Cheese & Co. in Catonsville.

I made the mistake of doing this Q&A before lunch time, and now I’m insanely hungry for grilled cheese sandwiches.

The restaurant’s only been open for 9 months, and Corbi’s already has another store opening in the works. (Stay tuned for that news later.)

We talked about the most popular grilled cheese special in Baltimore, and what are some of the most interesting ways you can even redo the original favorite.

TDR: How many grilled cheese sandwiches have you sold since opening last April?

Corbi: Too many to count. I don’t have the exact number in my head, but it’s been many, many sandwiches.

TDR: Have you altered the menu since opening?

Corbi: It’s been the same. We run a special every three weeks, roughly. We do a new sandwich to keep something fresh and new on the menu. But we also rotate different soup specials. We’ll just make a large batch of soup and it could last a few days or about a week.

TDR: What’s the most popular grilled cheese sandwich you offer?

Read the rest of this entry »

Category: food, restaurants

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