Light City Baltimore: Light Up The Night

Baltimore is going to be at its brightest this week. This is the first year for the (soon to be annual?) Light City Baltimore Festival. Lasting all week, the event celebrates 200 years of innovation with light. Baltimore was the first city in the United States to light up its streets with gas lanterns back in 1816. That transformation changed the urban landscape as we know it forever. Now, 200 years later, we’re celebrating by lighting the city up again.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

You had better keep your eyes open all this week because you won’t want to miss any of this. Take a stroll down the 1.5 mile BGE Light Art Walk and view over 50 different attractions. See illuminated visual artwork, exciting street theater and musical performances and concerts. You’ll see original work from local, regional, national and international artists that have been hand selected by a jury through a call of entry. The impressive pieces will wow and surprise you and take your breath away. Take your time exploring so you can take it all in.

In addition to the pieces of art, you’ll have the opportunity to see astounding mobile art in the form of performance artists. Single Carrot: Ballet Ballistique is a performance of movement. The performers, decked out in inflatable bubble balls, will show you how to really move. Back in the day, there were things called ‘crankies’ that contained whole stories that could be viewed with the turn of a lever. The shadow images will transport you into the world of the story in a new way. Kendra’s Bay will make you laugh with their spectacular interactive digital puppet. You’ve never seen puppets like these before. With so many amazing and awe inspiring performances to see, how will you make time for all of them?

The Neighborhood Lights project wants to put local artists at the center. The magic of Light City will be coming to Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello, Hampden, Greater Mondawmin, Little Italy and Station North. Artists were chosen to create collaborative art projects for the neighborhood they live in. Some projects are event based and others are installations that can be viewed throughout the entirety of the festival. Learn more about some of the neighborhood projects and their artists here.

For families with little ones, Mini Light City is where it’s at. In Pierce’s Park, you’ll find hands-on activities which will let your child create something all their own. Entertainers will be wandering around to thrill the kids and don’t forget to grab an interesting treat like a lighted cotton candy. Your child deserves to take part in the enjoyment of Light City too. Let them!

Light City Baltimore might be new this year but we foresee it being a new annual tradition in our city. What are you most looking forward to in Light City?

Easter Hops Into Baltimore

Image courtesy of Benson Kua - Flickr

Easter is coming early this year and we’re ready for it! The pastel colored holiday might be religious but some traditions and events involved in the holiday can be enjoyed by all, particularly those families with young children. The holiday falls on March 27th this year, so grab your baskets and make sure your bunny ears are in place because we’ve got some bunny business to take care of.

At 10 AM on March 26th, you can work your bunny magic in the annual Easter egg hunt at Double Rock Park. Keep your eyes peeled for the little, round eggs hidden around the park. Make sure you bring a bag or basket to hold everything you find during your exploration of the park. In the event that it rains (the odds look to be in our favor), the event will be held in Parkville Recreation Center. Double Rock Park is only a 20 minute hop away from our home at McHenry Row.

Just across the river at Harbor East, you’ll find a tasty spread served up just for you and your family. At Pier 5 Hotel, you and your family can enjoy an Easter brunch near to home. With a view of the Inner Harbor located in the infamous Harbor Club, this Easter brunch is one you won’t forget. Reservations are recommended as tables fill up quickly so book your table now.

If one Easter Sunday brunch isn’t enough for you, we’ve got another one lined up for you. From 11 AM until 4 PM on Easter Sunday, you can enjoy delicious brunch selections at Embassy Suites North Baltimore. With a carving station of honey glazed baked ham, Swiss chocolate fondue, and a made to order omelette station, there’s something for everyone. Find out how you can make your reservations here.

Not everyone celebrates the Easter holiday and that’s okay. We can still appreciate some of the traditions and events that go along with the delightful holiday. Does your family celebrate Easter? What are some of your traditions for the day?

International Question Day With McHenry Row Apartments

Everyone has questions. It’s a fact of daily life. “How do I fill out this form?” “How long does this need cooked for?” Some questions have answers, while others will probably never be solved. When you’ve got questions about McHenry Row, we’re here to fill you in. In honor of International Ask A Question Day, we’ve rounded up some frequently asked questions to give you the rundown. You’ve got Q’s and we’ve got A’s for you.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Will there be room for big gatherings outside of my apartment?

We know you like to get together with your pals for parties and small events. So you’ll obviously need some space to do that. At McHenry Row we’ve got ample room not only in your apartment itself but in the common areas. The fireside lounge is adjacent to our wine decanting lounge so when you’re done pouring your drinks, you can spill out into the lounge to sit fireside and sip your wine. The media room is an ideal place to gather for games with your friends or maybe a watch party for your favorite TV show. With a wet bar and seating for 25 people, it’s more than enough to accommodate your pals. There is plenty of space at McHenry for you and all your friends.

Is there outdoor space so I can get some sun and fresh air?
At McHenry Row, we’ve got views to die for. Our rooftop terrace will allow for you to step out and get a breath of fresh air while simultaneously taking your breath away with the stunning views you’ll catch of the harbor. Relax on the lounge chairs with a good book while you wait for you lunch to cook on our outdoor grills. It really doesn’t get any better than this!

Will there be enough room for my extensive shoe collection?
You’ll have more than enough room in your new McHenry Row Apartment. You’ll be able to fit your shoe collection, your hat collection and all of your band tee-shirts. Each apartment at McHenry Row comes equipped with a fabulous walk-in closet. You’ll have ample room for your whole wardrobe in the walk-in closet.

If you ever have any questions that aren’t answered by our website, you can fire them at us on Facebook and Twitter. We’re here to answer your questions everyday, not just on International Ask A Question Day!

St. Patty's in Baltimore

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Wow! Two months already under our belts for 2016. Where does the time go? Hopefully the first two months of the year were kind to you and treated you well but even more than that hopefully the next month will treat you kindly as well. Coming up in March is St. Patrick’s Day, an exciting holiday celebrating Irish heritage and the spirit of the Irish. Whether you are or aren’t of Irish descent, everyone can appreciate the culture and customs of this green holiday.

You can’t celebrate St. Patrick’s Day without a good parade. Thankfully, Baltimore has a special one cooked up for the big day. A little early, the parade takes place on Sunday March 13th. The parade kicks off at 2 PM from the Washington Monument and proceeds down Charles Street. If you’re feeling extra bold, the Shamrock 5K takes place right before the parade at 1:15. If you’re planning on attending the parade, it is recommended that you arrive early to beat the rush and find yourself a parking space. If you’d like to sign up for the 5K or learn more about the parade head here. Luckily, the start of the parade is only a 10 minute drive away from McHenry Row Apartments so you won’t have far to travel.

Also taking place on March 13th, is the Shamrock Shindig happening at Pierce’s Park. From 10:30 AM until 2 PM, you can have fun the Irish way. The food trucks will be lining up to keep you well fed and happy and the beer and wine will be flowing while you see all there is to see at the Shamrock Shindig. You’ll have the opportunity to dance to live Celtic music performed by the Shamrogues. If you’re not sure how, the Broesler School of Irish Dance Performances will show you how it’s done. The Shamrock Kids Zone will be open for your young ones to enjoy too so they can join in the fun. Admission to the Shindig is free but you can purchase additional passes too. To learn about the special passes available, check here.

Last but not least, later this month the Baltimore Zoo will be hosting a St. Patrick’s Day-themed event that you won’t want to miss. Wind your way around the zoo and witness the animals being fed tasty St. Patrick’s inspired treats. With your entrance fee to the zoo, you get to see these shows for free!

Even if you’re not Irish you’re certainly benefitting from the luck of the Irish this month with all of the fun events happening. What is your favorite St. Patrick’s Day tradition? Tell us on Facebook and Twitter.

The Day of Unplugging

With today’s high paced world, it can be easy to get wrapped up in our electronics and forget to be present in our day-to-day life. With our faces buried deep into our phones, tablets and laptops each and every day at work and at home it can be difficult to feel like you’re truly connecting to someone else. Take a step back and immerse yourself in your everyday life without your phone in the way by celebrating the Day of Unplugging this Friday!

Image courtesy of Pixabay

There’s no better place to relax and get away from it all than a coffee shop. Quiet with tasty smells wafting under your nose? What could be better? Instead of plopping into a chair and swiping through Twitter for an hour while you enjoy your coffee/tea/hot chocolate, you can read a real book! Not an ebook, but a true, paper novel. Relax for hours soaking in every moment of your unplugged time. Pfefferkorn’s Coffee is the best place to do that at. Right around the corner from McHenry Row and with some amazing coffees, you’ll love spending your time disconnected here.

The best place of all to spend your time unplugged is outdoors! Head to Latrobe Park for some good old-fashioned fresh air. Spend a day at the tennis courts or the basketball courts to get your energy out. Spending your days hunched over a computer doesn’t make for a healthy lifestyle. If you live with four legged, barking friends, bring them out to Latrobe Park to take advantage of the dog park! You’ll really enjoy watching them frolic about the area with other dogs. Taking a day to recline outdoors whether it’s in the dog park, on the court or at a picnic in the grass will rejuvenate you and relieve you of the duty of always being attached to your electronics.

Now that we’ve had a few bursts of wonderful weather, we’d like to believe that winter is finally on its way out. That means it’s going to be nice enough to head out to the rooftop terrace and lounge at McHenry Row Apartments. The luxurious lounge chairs will lend you a beautiful view of the harbor while you wait for your lunch to cook on the barbecues. Bring your friends to truly bond face-to-face rather than through a screen. We bet that once your friends get a load of the views from up there, you may just have a few new neighbors!

Unplugging yourself from your daily life is good for you sometimes. Spending too much time in front of a screen can make you forget about the outside world every once in awhile.

Do you like unplugging from technology or do you prefer to be connected? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

Spring Cleaning: Getting It Out of the Way

Winter weather is hard on everyone. It makes it difficult to leave the house, it sucks away your motivation, it’s just downright rough! It probably also means that you’ve gotten a little lazy with your apartment cleaning. That’s alright, though. Winter is sticking around for a while so you still have tons of time to spruce up the place. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to begin in the springtime. Here’s how you can get your McHenry Row apartment back in tip top shape.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Split the work up for yourself. If you try and do it all in one or two days, you’ll stress yourself out about having to get it all done. Spreading it out over the span of a week or so will let you work at a slower pace and give more attention to the details. You won’t miss any spots if you spread all the work out. Create yourself a schedule and you’ll know exactly what needs to be done on what days.

Living Room

Get into those couch cushions and vacuum in between them to get all the built up clutter and dirt out. You might even find some money in there! Take everything off of coffee, side tables and book shelves. Make sure to dust not just under the objects but the objects themselves too. Dust all light fixtures and lamp shades. You’d be surprised at how much brighter it will get in the room once you remove that layer of dust. If you have any rugs lying about make sure to take them outside and shake them out to get the dust and debris off of them.

Kitchen

You wash dishes all the time but you probably don’t think of the place where your dishes live. Get everything out of your cabinets and wipe down the inside of the cabinets as well as the outside of the cabinets and handles. Think of how many hands have been on those handles! Next, empty out the refrigerator and wipe down all the shelves and drawers. Toss anything from the fridge that you know you won’t eat or is out of date. Wipe down your stove and oven. Messes are attracted to the stove so scrub it down extra well. Clean the microwave out by first putting a glass of water in for 30 seconds. This will loosen up all of the gunk caked onto the inside walls. Don’t forget to sweep and mop to clean up all those spills from the last few months.

Bathroom

Wipe down that mirror so you can see your beautiful face in it again! There’s no point in having it if you can’t see yourself in it. Your shower head has probably built up a lot of residue over the time you’ve used it. Take a plastic zip bag, fill it with distilled white vinegar and tie it up around the shower head using a hair tie or rubber band. Let it sit for and hour and then wipe the head clean with a wash cloth. Take stock of your beauty products and hair care products. Over the next month keep track of what you’ve used or haven’t used and at the end of the month toss everything you haven’t used. You’ll cut down on your clutter and also streamline your routine.

It doesn’t take a lot of work to keep a home clean but it does take a lot of work to get it clean in the first place. So get a head start and get your charming apartment back in shape and from here on out you’ll only have to do small things here and there.

Black History Month Events

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

Before Black History Month was an entire month, it was confined to just a week. It wasn’t until 1969 that it was proposed as an entire month. In 1970, the first Black History Month celebration took place at Kent State University. This month we celebrate the amazing men and women who came before us and changed the world. Here are the goings on and here’s how you can celebrate.

Until the end of the month, the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore will be hosting a Black History Month exhibit dedicated to teaching about the African American men and women who contributed to the railroad industry. Learn how these men and women served in vital positions along the railroad and throughout the entire timeline of the railroad’s creation. You’ll also learn about how social issues played an important role in the completion of the railroad. The new exhibit will focus on the segregation of the travelers and the workers on the trains. Learn more about the exhibit and the museum here. The B&O Railroad Museum is only a 10 minute drive away from our home at McHenry Row Apartments.

The Great Blacks in Wax Museum is hosting a bevy of events this month. Coming up at the end of the month is the Fighting for Civil Rights Through Civil Disobedience event. This event will feature live performances by young people depicting the ways in which youth fought for their civil rights through civil disobedience. Young people both black and white were having sit-ins in the face of water hoses, attacking dogs and police in riot gear. The moving performances will also be accompanied by a tour of the “And A Little Child Shall Lead Them” exhibit. Learn more about the Great Blacks in Wax Museum and the exhibits here.

All throughout February (excluding Sundays), Lexington Market will be full of Black History Month musical performances. Each day, you can see school performances music, dances and narrated skits based on African, Caribbean, Jazz, Blues, Gospel, and Big Band Swing/Jazz themes. You’ll also be able to see an exhibit from the Great Blacks in Wax Museum, hear poetry from talented African American authors and a special presentation from the Buffalo Soldiers in their full uniforms. Learn more about the Lexington Market celebration of Black History Month here.

Celebrate the amazing men and women who helped to change the United States and people’s mindsets throughout the years this month in Baltimore.


Additional Sources
Wikipedia