Pen Lucy in HGTV Contest

Here's a chance to help a Baltimore neighborhood win a contest, and it's easy-no registering required-
The Pen Lucy neighborhood has been selected as one of the communities in HGTV's "Change the World. Start at home" project, which "focuses on revitalizing communities across the country and helping consumers make smart choices for the environment within their homes and daily lives." But in order for them to win the prize of a makeover, they need your vote.

Help our neighbors to the west by casting a vote for them each day until Dec. 21.

Vote Now!

Rough Week for Baltimore Catholics

I've been following the story of the priest removed over in South Baltimore with some dismay-he had such a strong following and was removed for such lame reasons. But I was completely blown away when I opened my paper this morning and saw this
Father Mike is so beloved in this neighborhood and the church is truly the center of the community here. We're not Catholic, but even so I know Father Mike and he seems like a pretty great guy. So sad for everyone involved.

Musician Moms

Ok, so being a mom can have its surprises. You meet your kids' friends' moms, and sometimes they seem really cool, and you become friendly with them, and then you are surprised to know that they have these interesting, creative other lives, separate from their momness-I seem to be having a streak of these encounters and thought I'd share two amazing musician moms I have recently met:

my neighbor deb
and
sandy

Music isn't as much of a part of my life as it once was (strictly listening of course) but these moms have inspired me to try and incorporate it more-seek out new stuff, and maybe go see a live show sans kids once in a while.
-e

Bad Blogger

Ok, so I've been a terrible blogger lately-this blog is about a year or so old, and I have really dropped off the last couple of months. I have things to report too-new restaurants we've tried (Cianghale!) and other things too. In my defense I've been doing a lot of emailing- we are trying to put together a committee to focus in on the playground situation here-it's amazing how many people seem to be pertinent to this-next week we are meeting with people from planning, parks and bdc. That's on top of the person from the waterfront partnership and the person from Jim Kraft's office I've already talked to. Maybe now that we have some momentum something will happen. It's hard to find the space in this area of prime real estate though. I'm also getting in to the thick of school decisions for c. for next year-I've visited one private and one public so far. I have 2 more private and 3 more public I want to visit before we decide. And we can't really decide until the spring anyway after the charter schools have their lotteries. I swear it's like college. So, hopefully the blogging will pick up-but don't count on it.

Baby Gifts

Ok, back to school has been busy so not so much blogging, but I have to link my friend's adorable new site for baby gifts-pickastitch
She'll be at Fells Point Festival next weekend. Lots going on this weekend too-Book Festival, Federal Hill Street Beat, South Baltimore Soccer League opener(woohoo!)

Expensive Week

Last week was rough:

1. $500- on broken tooth from Farmers market kettle corn.

2. $200- to replace broken remote control key for vw.

3. $237- accidentally parking in a rush hour zone while taking kids to the park.

Hmm, hopefully this week will be better.

Baltimore Urbanite

I love the Urbanite- the articles are always interesting and thought provoking. Lots of times I learn something. It's better than most of the other magazines I read, most of which I pay for. This month's issue is particularly good-it discusses mass transit in some detail and gives some history on why ours is so awful. One of the points that is made, and I think it is true, is that there is such a stigma attached to transit in this city. There's a perception that it's really only for poor people who can't afford other ways to get around. My car has been somewhat on the fritz the last few weeks, and I've considered trying to figure out how to get around by bus, but it just seems so unappealing-even though I've used buses in other cities. I feel like I would stick out on a bus here, and it just doesn't seem very user friendly. How much does it cost? How do you know which bus, etc. Also, every time I'm behind a bus I go insanse as they stop every single block. I can walk faster. Don't even get me started on the broken elevators and broken change machines in the subway stations. The article also points out and I agree with this too, that to be a great city Baltimore needs to have great transit.
'

I wish:

I wish:
1. The Crossroads school in Fells pt would open an elementary school.
2. Target would come to Canton.
3. Central Ave would get redone.
4. The new library on Orleans looked nicer, and had better hours.
5. The presidential election was this november.
6. Ikea had internet shopping.