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Huffington Post Goes Behind the Scenes at Baltimore Aquarium

Huffington Post Tuesday, March 20, 2012

The Huffington Post recently checked out the National Aquarium in Baltimore.

But it didn't see the usual sharks and stingrays at the downtown attraction. Instead, it went behind the scenes at the aquarium's Fells Point facility known as the Warehouse. The spot, which isn't open to the public, houses resources needed to take care of the aquarium's building and its animals.

You can read the review and slideshow here.

Under Armour CEO and Ravens Owner on Forbes' Billionaire List

Forbes Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Nine Marylanders made the Forbes' list of wealthiest individuals.

With a net worth of $1.1 billion, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank made the cut for the first time. He came in at No. 1075. Steven Bisciotti, Baltimore Ravens Owner and founder of staffing firm Allegis Group, came in at No. 913 with a net worth of $1.4 billion.

Hoteliers Richard Marriott and Bill Marriott Jr. also made the list.

You can see the complete list here and a snapshot of the Marylanders on the list here.

Interior Decorators Design Meeting in Baltimore

Dwell Tuesday, March 06, 2012

Interior decorators are designing a conference in Baltimore.

The Interior Design Educators Council will hold their annual meeting at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore, March 19-22. The event gets a mention in Dwell.com, which notes that keynote speaker will be Jo Heinz, a managing principle of Staffelbach in Dallas.

You can read more about it here.

Baltimore Gets New Grand Prix Promoter

USA Today Tuesday, March 06, 2012

The future of Baltimore's Grand Prix seemed uncertain a little while ago as former organizers are saddled in debts, leaving many creditors unpaid.

But now Baltimore City has selected Downforce Racing, which has a five-year deal with the city.

Promoter Dale "Dillon, an Indianapolis-based developer and team owner whose company has helped promote events in Toronto and St. Petersburg, Fla., hopes to allay financial concerns while staging another successful race," writes USA Today, sourcing some of its material from the Baltimore Sun.

You can read the rest of the story here.

Forbes Names Port Discovery a Top Kids' Museum

Forbes Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Port Discovery, a children's museum in downtown Baltimore, has gotten national recognition from Forbes magazine.

Forbes named it one of the 12 best kids' museum in the nation.

"This 80,000 square foot facility resides in a renovated fish market and is one of the anchors of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor," Forbes writes. "Both the permanent and temporary exhibitions are heavily thematic, so when kids enter Adventure Expeditions, they travel back in time to 1920’s Egypt and search for a Pharaoh’s lost tomb, decoding hieroglyphics along the way in an educational detective puzzle of sorts."

Children's museums in Indianapolis, Boston and Brooklyn also made the cut.

New York Times Features Federal Hill Rowhome

New York Times Tuesday, February 14, 2012

A Federal Hill rowhome has made the cut in the New York Times "What you get for..." section. The part of the real estate section highlights properties in three different cities that are all listed for the same price.

The Times features three homes for $900,000 in Baltimore, New Orleans and Bellevue, Wash.

So what do you get for $900,000 in Federal Hill? A wrap-around terrace with views of downtown Baltimore, a six-burner Viking range and a wood-burning fireplace in the master suite.

You can read the rest more about the property here.

Daily Beast Names Baltimore One of the Most Tolerant Cities

The Daily Beast Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Baltimore may have had its share of challenges when it comes to race relations.

But Charm City has come a long way and is now more progressive than its counterparts throughout the nation, according to the Daily Beast. The website ranked Baltimore No. 5 in its list of 20 most tolerant cities. Miami, San Francisco, Honolulu and Durham, N.C. ranked above Baltimore.

The Daily Beast looked at the number of hate crimes, same-sex couples and the percentage of African Americans and Asian residents. You can read more about Baltimore's status here.

Poe Tradition Coming to An End

Wall Street Journal Tuesday, January 24, 2012

For decades, Edgar Allen Poe fans would gather at his grave on the eve of the late writer's birthday to spot a mysterious man. Known as the Toaster, he would leave roses and a half-full bottle of cognac.

Well that tradition appears to have come to an end, according to the Wall Street Journal and other news sources. For three years now, the Toaster has not appeared.

You can read more about the end of the tradition in the Journal story.

Sales of Baltimore Concert Tickets Take Off

Baltimore Sun Tuesday, January 17, 2012

While concert sales are slowing down nationally, two Baltimore venues sold more tickets last year compared with 2010, the Baltimore Sun writes.

Rams Head Live saw success with pop singer Sara Bareilles and punk band Rise Against, while First Mariner's U2, Kanye West/Jay-Z and Sade shows propelled ticket sales at First Mariner Arena, the Sun's Erick Maza writes.

"In addition, Rams Head Live and Rams Head on Stage in Annapolis both made a recent list of the top 30 clubs in the country, and the nearly 50-year-old 1st Mariner was named top-selling arena of its size by Billboard Magazine," the Sun writes. You can read the rest of the story here.

Environmental News Site Names Baltimore "Ideal" Travel Destination

Mother News Network Tuesday, January 10, 2012

A website that covers environmental news has recognized Baltimore as its destination of the week.

Mother Nature Network says Baltimore -- once a "victim of Rust Belt decay -- is now an "ideal East Coast destination." The article highlights eco-friendly retail outlets, LEED-certified hotels and restaurants that serve dishes sourced from local farms.

"Like other aged East Coast cities such as Philadelphia and Boston, Baltimore has walkable historic sightseeing routes," Mother Nature Network writes. "These, coupled with the city's parks, markets and user-friendly transit options, make it a good addition to low-impact travelers' East Coast itineraries."

You can read the rest of the story here.

Billboard Ranks First Mariner a Top Grossing Arena

Baltimore Sun Tuesday, December 20, 2011

First Mariner has remained true to its name.

Billboard magazine has named it the top-grossing arena of its size. It grossed nearly $16 million this year, making it No. 1 among arenas that seat between 10,000 and 15,000 people, writes the Baltimore Sun. It's the second year in a row that First Mariner has been first.

Recent acts at the arena include Sade, Kanye West and Jay-Z. You can read the rest of the story here.

U.S. News Recognizes Baltimore Hotels

U.S. News & World Report Tuesday, December 20, 2011

U.S. News & World Report has included three Baltimore hotels in its annual list of Best Hotels in the USA. The honored properties include the Hyatt Regency Baltimore, Baltimore Marriott Waterfront and the InterContinental Harbor Court Baltimore.

You can read reviews of the hotels here.

Harvard Professor Taking Helm of Open Society Foundations

New York Times Tuesday, December 13, 2011

George Soros' Open Society Foundations has tapped John F. Kennedy School of Government Professor Christopher Stone to take the helm, the New York Time writes.

The foundation works to create vibrant democracies by shaping public policy in more than three dozen cities around the world, including Baltimore.

Stone will succeed Aryeh Neier in July. You can read more about the transition here.

Renovations to Turn Oriole Park Into Year-Round Destination

Baltimore Sun Tuesday, December 06, 2011

Oriole Park: It's not just for baseball anymore.

Planned renovations to the Baltimore Orioles' home will make Oriole Park at Camden Yards a year-round destination, stadium officials told the Baltimore Sun. A picnic area behind the center field will be turned into a park where visitors can stroll, even when there isn't a game playing.

The plan also includes more concessions and a rooftop viewing area, according to the Sun article.

Ravens Defeat of the Steelers Pulls in Big Ratings

New York Times Tuesday, November 15, 2011

It's been five years since the Baltimore Ravens defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers in two season games.

And it's not just folks in Charm City and the 'Burgh who have noticed.

The 23-20 Nov. 6 victory drew interest from national media, including the New York Times and Huffington Post. The New York Times notes that the game dominated the ratings.

The Huffington Post notes that Joe Flacco's 26-yard pass allowed the Ravens to come from behind to win the game.

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