Buzz

Harbaugh Family Headed to HBO

Carroll County Times Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh and his brother, Jim, will soon be featured on an episode of the HBO series Real Sports.

Read the full story here.

City Officials Address Grand Prix Traffic Concerns

Baltimore Sun Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Baltimore residents are understandably concerned about the logistical impact of the upcoming Grand Prix, and last week the city sought to allay some of the fear.

From the Sun:

The city's transportation director, Khalil Zaied, and his aides outlined a detailed plan for gradually shutting down streets in the area between the Inner Harbor and Camden Yards in the days leading up to the series of races from Sept. 2 to Sept. 4.

The event, the first of its kind in Baltimore, has involved the extensive reconstruction of some downtown streets � much to the chagrin of many residents and commuters. But city officials say the event, which they expect will draw more than 100,000 visitors during a normally slow weekend, will more than make up for whatever aggravation it has caused.

Read the full story here.

Rest In Peace, John Mackey

New York Times Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Baltimore Colts legend John Mackey -- the man who most football observers will agree is responsible, among his many accomplishments, for defining the tight end position as we know it today -- passed away last week at the age of 69.

From his obit at the New York Times:

"John Mackey, who bowled over defensive linemen and streaked past pass defenders as one of the N.F.L.'s greatest tight ends, then fought against free-agency restrictions as the president of the league's players union, died on Wednesday in Baltimore. He was 69.

His death was announced by the Baltimore Ravens, the successor franchise in that city to the Colts, for whom Mackey starred as the prototype of the current-day tight end. He had dementia, which his wife, Sylvia, believed was most likely caused by football collisions."

Read the full obituary here.

Stan Lee Coming to Baltimore Comic-Con

Comic Book Resources Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Stan Lee -- creator of renowned comics characters such as Spider Man and Thor (among others) -- will be the Guest of Honor at the Baltimore Comic-Con in August.

From the source:

"Stan Lee, the Guest of Honor at this year's Baltimore Comic-Con, will be on hand Saturday and Sunday signing autographs and posing for photographs with guests in attendance of the show. The 12th Annual show will be taking place August 20-21, 2011 at the Baltimore Convention Center."

More info here.

Baltimore County Public Libraries Receive Surprise Gift

Towson Patch Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Baltimore County's library system is $475k to the positive thanks to a surprise gift from a former librarian.

From the source:

"The foundation received a bequest this week of $475,000 from the estate of Margaret "Peggy" Peterson, a former BCPL librarian, who demonstrated her commitment to libraries in death as she did in life. Peterson, who died in 2006, was a BCPL employee from 1963 until her retirement in 1986, and was known for her love of books."

Read the full story here.

Towson Seeks Walkability

Baltimore Sun Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Baltimore County is looking to improve openness and walkability in Towson's core.

From the Sun:

"Baltimore County has a plan for the heart of Towson, and it looks like Allegheny Avenue.

In good weather Souris' Saloon can count on serving customers at tables under a black awning on the wide sidewalk where Allegheny meets the traffic circle at York Road. Down the block, Strapazza opens its sidewalk umbrellas for patrons. There's more seating out front at DiPasquale's and Ridgely & Ferrens, finer dining at Cafe Troia, a mix of small stores and the Penthouse high-rise condominium at the intersection of Washington Avenue.

Allegheny isn't burdened by empty storefronts common on streets elsewhere in the town center. And those involved in development efforts say there's also something working nicely in the block itself -- in the mix of businesses and details of windows, sidewalk layout, size of buildings and the way they appear to people walking on the street.

"This is the success story," County Councilman David Marks said, standing on the wide sidewalk outside Souris', where the outdoor tables are often busy long after the work day is over."

Read the full story here.

Dog Joins Marathon

The Palm Beach Post Tuesday, June 28, 2011

A Maryland dog made national news recently by escaping from home...and joining a marathon.

From the source:

"A Maryland dog is raising money for cancer after escaping from his yard and running part of a charity half marathon.

The 3-year-old golden retriever-poodle mix named Dozer joined runners near his home, at mile five of the 13-mile race in Howard County near Baltimore on May 15.

Runners reported seeing him at several points and there's video of him crossing the finish line at 2 hours and 14 minutes. He then found his way home."

Read the full story here.

Le'Ron McClain Aids Tuscaloosa Tornado Victims

TuscaloosaNews.com Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Baltimore Raven and Alabama resident Le'Ron McClain recently came to the aid of tornado victims in his hometown of Tuscaloosa.

From the source:

"That Le'Ron McClain is from Tuscaloosa was more than enough for the former University of Alabama fullback to do whatever he could to aid his hometown's tornado victims.

That the fifth-year NFL Baltimore Raven was not only in Tuscaloosa, but also in the storm path at the time made his mission even more clear.

McClain was at his condominium near Midtown Village on April 27 when the tornado cut a massive swath through the city, huddled in is closet like hundreds of others."

Check out the full story here.

Wichita Health Workers Learn Simulated Training in Baltimore

The Wichita Eagle Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Health workers from Wichita, Kansas recently learned the value of simulated training from Betsy Hunt at Johns Hopkins.

From the source:

"Six Wichita doctors, nurses and medical students flew a Hawker Beechcraft business jet to spend five hours at Hunt's simulation training center on Thursday.

Hunt put them through three scary simulations: resuscitating two high-tech mannequin guys and a mannequin baby, all in cardiac arrest.

All six Wichitans are highly trained and motivated, yet Hunt saw them make minor mistake after mistake after mistake that might have prolonged patient suffering.

In medicine, Hunt said, no one trains together enough. From medical school on, doctors train separately from nurses, nurses train separately from pharmacists and anesthesiologists, and so on."

Read the full story here.

Taking a Look at Direct Wine Shipping in Maryland

Baltimore Sun Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Maryland recently passed a bill legalizing direct shipping of wine to residents. Julie Bykowicz at the Sun looks at where the program stands.

From the source:

"This week, Maryland wine lovers will be able to get their favorite bottles delivered directly to their homes -- so long as they're interested in buying from one of the 11 wineries that have applied for a shipping permit.

Since the state made the applications available on June 10, just eight Maryland wineries have returned the forms, according to the office of the state comptroller. Three more from out of state have also applied."

Read the whole story.

U.S. Conference of Mayors Makes News In Baltimore

Time Magazine Tuesday, June 21, 2011

The U.S. Conference of Mayors descended on Baltimore this past weekend and they made some national news while they were here, including a call for reduced spending on foreign wars.

From the source:

"When asked to respond to those who argue military efforts overseas have made American cities safer from foreign terrorists, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa pointed to the cost of the wars.

"How did we get to a deficit and a debt larger than at any time not only in U.S. history but in human history? We got involved in two wars that, no matter what you think about those wars, we haven't paid for," Villaraigosa said.

"That we would build bridges in Baghdad and Kandahar and not Baltimore and Kansas City, absolutely boggles the mind."

Read the full story here.

Ripley's Believe It or Not Coming to Baltimore?

Baltimore Business Journal Tuesday, June 21, 2011

If all goes well, visitors to Baltimore's Inner Harbor could soon have a Ripley's Believe It or Not location added to their list of potential stops.

From the source:

"Ripley's, the tourist destination with an Ocean City boardwalk location, has put Baltimore on a shortlist of cities it wants to branch into, including Chicago and Las Vegas, Ripley's spokesman Tim O'Brien said.

Ripley Attractions Worldwide has more than 80 attractions across the globe, including locations in Hollywood, Calif.; Mexico City and New York. The common thread is those are "destination cities" where tourists flock and people wander into Ripley's while there for other attractions, O'Brien said. In Baltimore, for example, the Inner Harbor and National Aquarium fit that type of bill, he said."

Read the full story here.

Sade Kicks Off Tour In Baltimore to Rave Reviews

Rolling Stone Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Soul singer Sade chose Baltimore to kick off her first North American tour in almost a decade and Evan Serpick was there to review it for Rolling Stone.

From the source:

"In many ways, it seemed that little had changed. When the British-Nigerian singer came onstage, her hair was in the familiar tight ponytail, augmented by bright red lipstick, hoop earrings and a sheer black turtleneck. And that luxurious, smoky voice -- the one that earned Sade (the singer, also the name of the band) a reputation as an aural aphrodisiac, the female counterpart to Barry White -- is as glorious as ever."

Read the full review here.

Travis Pastrana Returning to Baltimore...In a Monster Truck

Baltimore Sun Tuesday, June 21, 2011

X Games icon and local hero Travis Pastrana is coming back to Baltimore -- in a monster truck.

From the source:

"Pastrana will be driving the Nitro Circus truck named after his MTV reality show. His good friend, Cam McQueen usually drives the truck, but Pastrana takes over for McQueen several times a year.

"Honestly, though, I just want to get as much experience as I can and try to do my best every time I am in the truck," Pastrana said.

Pastrana finished fifth in freestyle at the 2009 Monster Jam World Finals. Sixteen trucks will compete in the event at M&T Bank Stadium."

Read the full story here.

Orioles Draft Talented Right-Hander

Carroll County Times Tuesday, June 14, 2011

The Orioles went big last week and drafted a talented high school arm with their first pick in the 2011 MLB Draft.

From the source:

"Over the last couple of weeks, some big numbers started popping up in connection with high school pitcher Dylan Bundy, the prospect most prognosticators had going to the Orioles with the fourth overall pick in this year's draft.

Six years, $30 million, one report said.

That didn't scare off Baltimore, which took the hard-throwing right-hander with its first-round selection Monday."

Read the full story at the Carroll County Times.