Ring in the New Year

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

Thanksgiving is behind us, Hanukkah has come and gone, even Christmas is over. That means that New Year’s Eve is finally upon us. The holiday season is typically filled with events and fun goings-on and New Year’s Eve is no exception to that rule. Baltimore didn’t disappoint this year and there are some really amazing parties taking place that you won’t want to miss.

Living in Baltimore has some perks, one of which being our proximity to the ocean. We’re lucky to have things like cruises so accessible to us here. New Year’s Eve brings to us fabulous New Year’s cruises to carry us into 2016. Enjoy front row seats to a New Year’s Eve fireworks display! Board the Spirit of Baltimore at 9 PM and sail until 12:30. Enjoy access to an amazing dinner buffet as well as a Platinum open bar. You’ll be served hors d’oeuvres by waiters who will roam the dining room. Dance the evening away to the DJ as the music spans the decades; there will be something for everyone.

There will also be the Inner Harbor Spirit which boards at 10 PM and returns at 1 AM. Enjoy dinner buffet and open bar all while grooving away to today’s hits played by the DJ. Find out how you can book yourself a spot on one of these fabulous cruises here.

If you’d prefer to keep your feet on solid ground for New Year’s Eve, you can take the party to the New Year’s Eve Gala: Big Night Baltimore. Taking place at the Baltimore Harbor Hotel, ring in the new year at Baltimore’s most storied party location. Your ticket gains you access to a delicious food buffet as well as an open bar to keep your whistle wet while you dance the night away. You’ll get to see eight incredible acts take the stage over the course of the night including bands, DJs and other acts. Make your way through the multiple party rooms to get the full experience of the party. Don’t forget to grab your complimentary party favor at the end of the night. To find out how you can gain access to one of the greatest New Year’s Eve parties in Baltimore check here. Luckily for us, the Baltimore Harbor Hotel is only a 10 minute drive away from McHenry Row Apartments.


New Year’s Eve is an exciting night full of parties and there are tons happening this year in Baltimore. How are you spending your New Year’s Eve? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

Last Minute Gift Ideas In Baltimore

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Christmas is almost here! Even though the holiday is a fun one filled with family bonding and celebration, it can be a stressful time. Shopping for the people on your Christmas list is daunting. If you still have some last minute shopping to get out of the way try out these ideas.

Do you have an athletic friend who’s always on the move? They’re annoyingly fit and always talking about how they’re waking up early to go to the gym. Gross. You don’t have to go very far to find them a gift this year. Charm City Run has the best merch for your fit friend. This Under Armour Tech Zip Shirt is a great gift, especially now that it’s getting a cold outside. You’ll keep them warm on their outdoor runs with this pullover. If they’ve been struggling with the same smelly gym bag for years, you can change their lives with this Under Armour Tote Bag. They can carry their stinky socks around in style in 2016. Check their website to see more from Charm City Run or you can walk right on down to their storefront located in McHenry Row if you’re feeling ambitious.

Just because they have 2 extra legs and fur all over their bodies doesn’t mean they’re not part of the family! Your pets need Christmas loving too. Dogma - life with your pets has everything you need to make sure your pet has the best Christmas ever! Uncle Ulrick’s Sweet Potato Strips are the perfect treat to show your pup that you love and appreciate them. Their mouths will water just looking at the bag! This next selection isn’t just a gift for your cat but a gift for you as well. The Kong Laser provides endless entertainment to your feline and your party guests. Watching your kitty scramble around the room and up walls to try and catch the mysterious red dot will have you in stitches for hours. Well, until the batteries run out at least. Dogma is situated in McHenry Row also so you don’t have to travel far to buy your pet happiness! However, if you’re feeling lazy, their website will show you what’s offered at Dogma.

South Moon Under has great gifts for almost anyone on your list. Your rabid football fan family member will need to use this beer mug to keep track of the Ravens’ progress on the field. Your coffee fiend/fashionable friend will go crazy for this Kate Spade coffee mug. We all have that one friend who is always asking for a phone charger when their phone dies. Stop that problem at the source and get them a backup phone charger! South Moon Under is a fabulous local shop that has gifts for everyone on your list.


Christmas shopping is stressful but this guide will help you get it out of the way quickly! Do you have any go-tos for last minute shopping? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

Christmas Village in Baltimore

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

Christmas is almost here and Baltimore is ready for it! The decorations have been hung, the lights are shining bright and everyone is in a happier mood. Celebrate with the Christmas Village in Baltimore. Since 2013, the Christmas Village has been bringing holiday cheer to Baltimore’s residents and it will continue for years to come!

This authentic German Christmas market is worth a visit, for sure! Enjoy a real German Christmas in the Hofbrau beer garden. Authentic German drinks and beers will have your tastebuds watering. Use that delicious beer to wash down some sizzling German bratwurst. Make sure you snag yourself some delicious snacks while you’re at it: gingerbread, fresh frosted almonds as well as crepes, waffles, baked apples and chocolate. You can’t leave the Christmas Village without trying a hot cup of gluhwine!

Take advantage of the upwards of 50 international vendors this year and get that last minute holiday shopping taken out. Find Christmas ornaments to decorate your tree, arts and crafts, jewelry, toys for the little ones, fashion, beauty products and handmade glass and pottery. You won’t be able to leave empty handed once you see all of the amazing wares offered at this year’s Christmas village.

If you’re a fan of wine and you’d like to sample some of the best German wines you can purchase tickets for two for either a wine and cheese tasting or a wine and chocolate tasting. There’s no wrong choice here! Find out how to reserve your spot here.

Brought to you by Condor, the central stage will have tons of exciting entertainment lined up all month. See local school choirs sing their hearts out, local bands and singer-songwriters. Each weekend follows a theme so each weekend will be a different experience.


The German Christmas Village will be up and running until December 27th so you have plenty of chances to experience a true German Christmas! What’s your favorite part of the German Christmas Village? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter!

Party With McHenry Row

You’re probably going to spend a lot of time indoors in the next couple of months now that the winter weather is starting to kick in. You’ll need to keep yourself busy and entertained as well as fed! Invite a few friends over and host a cooking demonstration in McHenry Row’s stocked demonstration kitchen. Try out these recipes and really wow your friends and family with how talented you are.

Creamy Four Cheese Garlic Spaghetti Sauce

Pasta is one of the easiest dishes to make but this sauce will be so delicious that your friends will think you worked at it for hours. Here’s what you’ll need to make it happen:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil 
• 1 tablespoon butter 
• 5 garlic cloves, minced
• 8 oz spaghetti
• 1 cup cooked pasta water
• 1 chicken bullion cube
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 and 1/2 cups of Four-Cheese Italian White Cheese Blend (Mozzarella, White Cheddar, Provolone, Asiago)
• parsley or chives or green onions, finely chopped

1. Take your olive oil and butter and heat it up on medium heat in a large skillet. Add in the minced garlic and cook it for about a minute, but make sure it doesn’t burn!
2. Get your pasta good and ready and make sure when you drain it to save some of the water. Dissolve 1 cube of chicken broth bouillon in 1 cup of the pasta water.
3. Take the pasta water/chicken broth bouillon and add in the heavy cream and pasta and then toss it in the skillet with the cooked garlic. Bring the whole mixture to a boil and make sure to continually stir it. Once you get it boiling, stir in the cheese until it melts and coats the pasta. Turn the stove down low and continue to stir to thicken the sauce for another minute or so.
4. If you want to get fancy, serve the pasta with chopped chives, green onions or parsley to really finish off the presentation.

Your guests will be head over heels for your delicious pasta concoction and will be especially impressed with the gorgeous state of the art demonstration kitchen.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Brownies

You can’t just ignore dessert! Dessert is the most important part of any meal and these red velvet cheesecake brownies are sure to become a staple on your dessert menus. Here’s what you’ll need to make it happen:

For the red velvet brownies:

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing pan
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 Tablespoon red food coloring
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon white vinegar
• 2 eggs
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour

For the cheesecake filling:

• 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
• 3 Tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg yolk

1. To start, preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line an 8x8 baking pan and slather it up with butter. We don’t want those brownies sticking!
3. In a big bowl, stir together the butter, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, food coloring and salt. Then, stir all of that in with the white vinegar.
4. Using a mixer, blend together the cream cheese, egg yolk sugar and vanilla until it’s really well blended. Spread the cream cheese mixture in an even layer over the brownie batter then top the cream cheese with dollops of the remaining brownie batter. Using a sharp knife or toothpick, swirl the cream cheese together with the dollops of brownie batter.
5. Bake the brownies for 30 minutes and then pull them out using the parchment paper to slice them and serve them.

Your pals will never forget these delicious cheesecake brownies and will ask you to make them for every function!

These recipes, while they might seem daunting, will be so much easier if you complete them in our state of the art demonstration kitchen. With the huge stovetop, oven and refrigerator, you’ll have all the supplies you need to craft the perfect meal and dessert for your friends. What’s your favorite recipe to share with friends? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter!

Braving the Cold in Baltimore

The weather is turning on us. Winter is finally here and the temperatures are dropping. There’s not much to do outside once the weather gets frosty. Take it indoors and keep toasty with some of these winter friendly activities. 

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Coffee, tea and hot chocolate. Those are the things that will be fueling you through this frigid season. Luckily we have some great coffee places right in McHenry Row. Harris Teeter has Rubi Kiosk serving up Seattle’s Best Coffee right in the store. Grab yourself a piping hot cup of Joe and get back out there. If that’s not what you’re feeling, maybe Dunkin Donuts will strike your fancy. Keep that iced stuff away from us! Dunkin has some of the best steamy lattes and coffees. They also serve up some great hot teas and hot chocolates for when coffee isn’t hitting the spot.

A great way to warm yourself up (well, at least feel warmer) is to take it to the bars. We’ve got a great selection of bars in the area and we don’t have to go far to get to them. Barracuda’s not only has some delicious drinks but amazing food. If the drinks don’t warm you up, the prices probably will. From Monday to Friday from 3PM until 7PM, you can get $3 house wines and import bottles and $2 domestic bottles. Their jerk chicken pasta isn’t rude but it is delicious. The spice will give you a little warmth for when you head back out into the winter winds. Barracuda’s food and drinks will warm your belly and your heart.

If you’re feeling a little fancier than the pub, take yourself to Wine Market Bistro. Their selection of wine, cocktails and food will have your belly full and your cheeks pink. Pan roasted swordfish, Murray Farm chicken breast, and bistro filet, you cannot go wrong with anything at Wine Market. While they don’t have their winter cocktail list up on their website yet, we know it’s to die for and you’ll most certainly enjoy it.

When you’re feeling chilly and need somewhere to hide out for a while, these places are where you should camp out. Where’s your favorite place to take shelter from the cold?

Start a New Tradition

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

Thanksgiving is a holiday with a lot of traditions attached to it. Lots of families like to stay in, cook up a big meal, invite the whole family over and watch parades and football games. However, some traditions are made to be broken. This year for Thanksgiving, mix it up. These restaurants are offering up a meal selection for you to take the pressure off of cooking up a big meal.

Cunningham’s Cafe and Bakery isn’t actually open for Thanksgiving but you can order up a delicious meal and cut out the hard work. Order up a real Thanksgiving dinner for the whole family minus the day of cooking. Get a whole roasted turkey or a hand-carved honey glazed ham. Grab mashed potatoes or mashed butternut squash or roasted herb red potatoes on the side. Just because you didn’t put in the hard work doesn’t mean that you can’t have dessert too! Mini tartlets, grandma’s apple pie and pumpkin rolls will have you full and happy. You’ll spend the rest of the holiday on your couch napping off the food high. For their full holiday menu check here. Cunningham’s is only a 20 minute drive away from McHenry Row Apartments.

Thanksgiving doesn’t always have to mean turkey and cranberry sauce. Mission BBQ is offering up pick-up packs for the holidays. Depending on how big your party is, they have packs for upwards of 50 people. So you won’t have to worry about accommodating a large number of people; Mission has you covered. Pulled pork, brisket, pulled chicken: these aren’t your typical Thanksgiving fares but they’re even better. Take your pick of sides and make sure to grab something from the bakery. You can pretend like you cooked it all yourself and really wow your guests. Check out their full menu here. Mission BBQ is only 8 minutes away from our home at McHenry Row Apartments.

If you’d prefer not to pack your entire extended family into your home for Thanksgiving, you can take them out to dinner. The Row House Grille is opening their doors for the holiday and inviting you in as their family. If you’d prefer a Thanksgiving breakfast to a Thanksgiving dinner, they offer breakfast bright and early at 8 AM. Bring the whole family for a breakfast buffet. After 4 PM you can make your way into the dinner fare. Turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, stuffing, cranberry sauce: all the classics for your dinner. You won’t regret taking the whole family out for this new holiday tradition with Row House Grille. The Row House Grille is a quick 4 minute drive down the road from McHenry Row.


Does your family have a unique Thanksgiving tradition that doesn’t involve home cooked meals at home? Let us know on Facebook and Twitter.

Take A Hike: Best Trails in Baltimore

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Just because the weather is cooling off doesn’t mean you can’t get outside. The cold air is even more invigorating than the warm summer air. Today, November 17th, is annual Take a Hike Day. While the holiday could be about telling some rude person to get lost, we’re going to assume it’s probably about getting into the great outdoors for some fresh air and exercise.

Herring Run Park is only a 15 minute drive away from our home at McHenry Row. The 375 acres of woodlands have no shortage of beautiful scenery. The trails wind and wrap their way throughout the park. Get lost in the trees and foliage of the park. A trail extends from Halls Spring Area all the way to Sinclair Lane, allowing for walking, hiking and biking along the stream bed. The changing of the leaves makes for extra beautiful views as you huff and puff your way down the trails.

Patapsco Valley State Park stretches along 32 miles of the Patapsco River. The state park encompasses, altogether, 16,043 acres of land. You’ll never run out of trails to explore in Patapsco Valley State Park. Enjoy the acres and acres of forest. If you bring along a picnic basket, you’ll have plenty of places to stop and throw your blanket down. There are tons of great spots under trees and at picnic tables to plop down and enjoy an afternoon snack. Patapsco Valley State Park is only 10 minutes away from McHenry Row, so you don’t have to go far to get into the outdoors.

What better place to take a hike than a place where you can also enjoy the company of some exotic animals? The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is more than 135 acres of trail to explore. It’s certainly not your typical definition of a trail but you’ll tire yourself out moving through the zoo, trying to take in all the wildlife. Make sure you hike past the brand new exhibit to take in the 46 waddling African penguins. You might have to pay admission to hike along this ‘trail’, but it’s well worth it when you think of all the amazing animals you’ll get to see along the way. The zoo is only a 20 minute drive away from McHenry Row Apartments.

Pretty soon, the weather is going to be much too frigid to head to the outdoors and take a hike. We have to soak up the hiking time while we can! Do you have a favorite place to hike at?

American Diabetes Month

Image courtesy of Pixabay

There are over 600,000 people living in Maryland with diabetes and almost 1.6 million with pre-diabetes who are at risk of developing diabetes. The American Diabetes Association has dedicated countless hours to raising awareness and funds for the care of those living with diabetes and funding research for a cure. They have designated the month of November as National Diabetes Month. There are so many ways for you to donate and make a difference. Here’s how we in Baltimore can help the cause.

Donations are crucial to the American Diabetes Association. All of the money received through donations goes right back into those suffering from diabetes. The ADA provides invaluable resources for those living with diabetes. The estimated total national cost of caring for those with diabetes is near $245 billion in the United States. By donating even just a little, you can help someone receive care that they might not get otherwise. Donate here.

The inaugural Greater Maryland Fabulous YOU luncheon takes place this month on the 12th at the Horseshoe Casino. Join hundreds of women from all walks of life in a celebration inspiring and empowering them all to be their most fabulous selves inside and out. The celebrations starts with a luncheon to fuel you up followed by interactive stations to explore. All of the stations will include health and beauty related activities to teach you to empower yourself and feel beautiful inside and out. Make sure to stay for the keynote speaker, Dr. Michelle A. Gourdine, who will inspire you to take charge of your own health. Check here to buy your tickets.

November 17th is National Healthy Lunch Day, encouraging you to make the right choices when it comes to the things you’re putting into your belly. The American Diabetes Association is inviting you and your business or organization to join them that day for the healthy eating challenge. Making healthy choices for your meals can help prevent type 2 diabetes and other obesity related illnesses. Register for the pledge and your organization will receive an e-toolkit to help you make better decisions when it comes to mealtimes. Head here to learn more and to register your organization.

Living with diabetes is a challenging task but it’s manageable with the right funding and tools. Together, we can find a cure. Until then, it’s up to us to help those living with it cope with it and make the right choices. Do you know someone living with diabetes?

Handling Stress In Your Daily Life

You’ve most likely known some form of stress your entire life. Whether it be tough tests in elementary school, relationships in high school, balancing school and a job in college or paying bills as an adult, stress comes in every shape and size and unfortunately, there’s enough to go around for everyone. Today, November 4th, is Stress Awareness Day, which aims to identify any stress in your life and find healthy outlets for it. There are so many outlets for you to get the stress out and relax.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

One of the best stress relievers that there is is yoga. Yoga focuses on breathing techniques and stretching to slow your heart rate and ease you into a calmer and more peaceful state of mind. Charm City Yoga has seven locations throughout Baltimore, with the closest being just 6 minutes away in Federal Hill. You can take group classes, individual sessions for a more personalized focus and workshops for specializations. Newbies to the exercise can join for just $30 a month. Bring a friend each month with your monthly guest passes, grab a towel and mat when you forget yours at home and get %10 off yoga wear in the shop. These and a ton of other benefits are just a small part of why you should pick up yoga. Start relieving your stress with a healthy mind and body.

Sometimes all it takes to clear your mind and relax is some good old fashioned fresh air. Luckily for us at McHenry Row, we’re in close proximity to some pretty fabulous parks to roam through, starting with Latrobe Park. Latrobe has some great outlets for releasing stress. The tennis and basketball courts will be there when you need to let your frustrations out and whack a few tennis balls around with all your might. If that’s not what you need then, you can walk to the dog park and just sit and watch the puppies frolic. There’s nothing better for relieving stress than a nice, fluffy dog. Get some extra fresh air and take a walk to the park. It’s only 11 minutes away on foot and the extra time outdoors will help relieve the stress even more.

Being Neighborly: Going the Extra Mile

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Living in apartments can be trying at times. Being in such close proximity to other people can cause a lot of problems for everyone involved. There’s loud noises, there’s interesting food smells, there’s mess in common areas. When you live so closely with other people they can begin to grate on your nerves a bit. Sometimes you just need to go the extra mile and go out of your way for your neighbors. It can really make a difference!

Start small! Being cognizant of yourself and the noise you’re putting out into the apartment, is a great place to start. When you turn your iPod on to rock out to some tunes while cooking dinner, think about how high the volume is. If you would be annoyed by someone playing loud music at that hour of the day, then you should turn it down a few notches. Be respectful of your neighbors and they’ll return the favor.

Are you a coffee drinker? When you’re standing in line at Dunkin Donuts in McHenry Row, isn’t it frustrating to look ahead of you and see a long line stretching to the counter when you’re late or in a rush? Now imagine being someone even farther behind you in line! The next time you look behind you and see one of your neighbors, grab them their coffee too. We guarantee you that they’ll pay you back for it in the future. The next time the positions will be reversed and you’ll be at the back of the line with only 15 minutes to take a 20 minute journey to work. You’ll be thankful you grabbed your neighbor their coffee then! Luckily for us we have a Dunkin Donuts located right in McHenry Row so it’s within arm’s reach!

Have you recently picked up a new hobby that you want to share with others? Convince your neighbor to join and they’ll thank you for sure! Bikram Yoga Baltimore has a studio right in McHenry Row so you don’t have to go far in the cold to get there. Yoga is a great way to not only stretch and exercise your body but to silently bond with your neighbor. You never know, a few yoga classes could end in a budding friendship!

Fells Point Halloween Bar Crawl

Next weekend for Halloween, you can gather together with some like minded folks and travel from bar to bar. The Halloween Baltimore Bar Crawl is taking place Halloween weekend starting Thursday the 29th.

Beginning in the Point in Fells Bar, the group will migrate from place to place. When you start the crawl, you’ll be given a map, a drinking cup and a wristband. The wristband gets you into all of the bars participating in the bar crawl free of charge. The wristband will also get you access to some great drink special in the participating bars.

The dress code for the crawl is casual but it is recommended that you sport your best Halloween costumes! If you want to feel festive you’ll need to be in character. Some bars might require you to be in costume for entrance so it’s recommended that you wear a costume!

image courtesy of Wikimedia

Tickets are available for purchase online here. Tickets are available for individual days so you can go to just one night of the crawl. Or if you’re feeling up to it, you can buy the full three day pass so you can have fun all Halloween weekend.

You must print your ticket out and bring it to a registration location at the beginning of the crawl to receive your wristband, map and drinking cup.

Some of the bars offer drink and food specials to fill your complimentary drink cups and your bellies. You’ll have to check your map for a list of the specials being offered. Some of the bars will only offer the specials for certain blocks of time so you’ll need to check to make sure of the times.

If you’re looking for an event to take part in this Halloween, why not take part in three events over the course of Halloween weekend? The full list of the participating bars won’t be available until the day of the first bar crawl but seeing the list from previous years should be enough to get you excited about the crawl! Grab your drinking cups, don’t forget your wristband and get to crawling. For more information on the crawl head here. Luckily for McHenry Row residents, Fells Point, where the crawl is taking place, is only a 15 minute drive on the other side of the Patapsco.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: How to Show Support

While most people are aware that breast cancer exists, many don’t know the steps of detecting it early on. The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the goal is to bring awareness to those who might not understand those steps. There are so many events happening this month in our area. That means plenty of opportunities to spread awareness and knowledge as well as to help fund the research dedicated to finding a cure! Here are all the ways you can help this month.

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

This weekend, the 17th, make your way to BreastFest! From 2 until 8PM, you can enjoy the Tyanna Foundation’s signature event. Your ticket includes food, drink, games, a raffle and even a silent auction. Make sure to check out the live bands on the Power Plant Live’s main stage. The Power Plant Live is only 10 minutes away from our home at McHenry Row!

Take strides against cancer with Making Strides of Baltimore. This Sunday at 9 AM, join the more than 1 million people each year who are banding together to end breast cancer. Sign up and participate in either a 3-mile or 5-mile walk and fundraise for breast cancer research. Register and head to the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center YMCA to get your walk on!

Join the 8th annual Pink Power fundraiser, Saturday October 24. They will be offering 2 one-hour Zumba classes, 2 one-hour yoga classes and 3 forty-five-minute SPROING classes. Even if you are unable to participate in the classes, you can still donate to the cause! Head to their website to donate. From 8:30 AM until 1 PM at SynergyFx you can participate in these fun and challenging classes all while fundraising for breast cancer research.

Mark your calendars for the end of this month: October 26th is the 3rd annual Fashion Show Fundraiser for the American Breast Cancer Foundation. Taste samples from some delicious Baltimore restaurants and mingle with local celebrities. Then, take your seat as local news celebrities, professional models, Baltimore city police and firemen, and breast cancer survivors hit the runway to show off fall and winter’s latest fashions. Proceeds from the fashion show go to the American Breast Cancer Foundation and go towards saving lives. Taking place at the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.

Annual Free Fall Baltimore: Free Events in the City

This year marks the 9th annual Free Fall Baltimore. Free Fall Baltimore brings free cultural events to you all October long. This exciting program was created by The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts to give more access and to create more interest in the city’s cultural organizations. The BOPA is the city’s non-profit special event agency, arts council and film office, inspiring and nurturing young artists. This program is a great way to showcase our talented friends and neighbors and to learn more about the cultural side of Baltimore.

Since this is a month-long event, there are so many things going on. We want to outline a few of them to give you an idea of what you can be doing this month.

Image courtesy of Pixabay

Tomorrow, October 6th, you can experience some local playwrights and actors in their zone, reading short plays. From 8 PM until 9:45 PM, enjoy the stripped down version of plays by very talented local actors and playwrights.

On the 166th anniversary of his death, October 7th, you can take a tour of Edgar Allan Poe’s home and gravesite. Choose from one of three tours throughout the day: a guided tour of the site of his grave, a guided tour through the Poe home or a self-guided tour through the Poe home.

On multiple dates throughout the month you can view 18 extraordinary color and black and white photographs from local collectors Tom and Nancy O’Neil. Their collection includes both contemporary and new talents and showcases the current landscape and environmental issues. See all the available dates here.

Saturday, October 10th, you’ll find yourself in a half-day event starting at 2 PM. The Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen and the Founding Director of Active Minds Alison Malmon will be sharing their experiences, perspectives and insights on mental illness in college and the importance of access to Naloxone to reverse otherwise fatal opiate overdoses. You can learn so much from these two ladies and you won’t regret attending the event!

October 14th begins the Baltimore Folk Music Society’s event. Learn contra dancing with or without a partner. Since it’s a community dance, it’s not a problem if you come sans partner! Be at the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts at 7:30.

Each and every one of these events takes place within our city of Baltimore meaning you won’t have very far to travel to experience the talented artists and culture of Baltimore. You have a whole month to attend these events so you don’t have to worry about missing out! To see a full calendar of all the events available head here.

Food & Beer Festivals In Our Area

Image courtesy of Pixabay

This fall in Baltimore is going to be a good one for your bellies. There are so many food and beer festivals happening in the coming month that you might not have any room for candy come Halloween. (Who are we kidding? There’s always room for candy!) These festivals are so delicious you’ll wish they were year-round.

The 14th Annual Pigtown Festival is coming back to Baltimore this year with more than ever. On Saturday, October 10th from noon until 7 the 700-900 blocks of Washington Boulevard will be turned into Pigtown. The festival will have plenty of food, drink and arts and crafts vendors as well as live entertainment throughout the day. If you’re feeling thirsty, you can purchase a Bottomless Drink Pass for unlimited wine, beer and cocktails at the festival. Bottomless Drink Passes are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Get yours here. While you’re grubbing on your delicious dishes from Smokin’ Joes BBQ, PIzza di Joey and Jammin Flava, you can enjoy the musical stylings of Kelly Bell Band, Jah Works and Nelly’s Echo. Luckily for us, Pigtown is only a 5 minute drive away from our home at McHenry Row Apartments.

On October 24th you can experience a beer extravaganza. Across the river at Canton Waterfront Park, come celebrate hometown craft beers and the local breweries who make them! This is one of the widest selection of Maryland craft breweries in the state so you know you’ll be getting the best there is to offer. There will also be a homebrew competition for any crafty brewers who are up for the challenge. You can participate by judging the competition and selecting the best of the bunch. While you’re sipping your brews make sure to check out the wide array of local food trucks, groove to some local Baltimore bands, test your noggin in trivia and try your hand at cornhole. Get your tickets here for the Baltimore Craft Beer Festival and to learn more.

In other beer news: Baltimore Beer Week is coming soon to a beer glass near you! October 9th through the 18th. There are so many events happening during Baltimore Beer Week it’s hard to keep track of them all. Begin with getting your passport for the Mahaffey’s Pub Passport Challenge. Can you tackle 21 beers in just 10 days? Make sure you get your passport stamped for each one! On the 12th, in Fells Point you can crack open your beer while you crack open some oysters. How delicious! To see the full calendar and listing of event for Baltimore Beer Week, check here.

If you like beer and food, October is going to be a great month for you! With Baltimore Beer Week and the Baltimore Craft Beer Festival, your thirst should most definitely be quenched. You’ll most certainly get your fill at Pigtown where you can pig out (sorry for the pun) on the most delicious food Baltimore has to offer.

Ice Cream for the Last Days of Summer

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

Now that summer is winding down and we’re down to our last few warm weather days it’s time to start thinking about fall! But not before we soak up every last bit of this heat first! And what’s the best way of enjoying the heat? Avoiding it by trying to keep cool! Luckily for us, tomorrow, the 22nd, is Ice Cream Cone Day and Baltimore is full of places to find yourself a delicious cone of something whether it be ice cream or frozen yogurt! Each of these places is only 20 minutes away from our home at McHenry Row!

First on our list is the Charmery. This local hand-crafted ice cream shop has only the finest flavors to bring out the true flavor of Baltimore. The Charmery uses local ingredients to support local farmers and producers. Their list of ice cream flavors is ever changing so it will be different every time you visit them! To see their current flavor list check here. Now that the weather is cooling off they’ll be getting their hot chocolate in to warm you up! They also serve a mean root beer float so stop by and try some! We know you won’t be disappointed!

Dominion Ice Cream created award-winning all vegetable ice cream in 2006 and hasn’t stopped since. Not only do they have all-vegetable flavors but they also have amazing traditional and gourmet flavors without any vegetables for those who don’t like their veggies! Their veggie flavors are tomato, sweet potato, spinach, carrot, butternut squash, sweet corn, cucumber, beet and red cabbage. Most of the vegetable flavors are very subtle and hardly noticeable so it just tastes like a regular ice cream. Dominion Ice Cream has even been featured on the Food Network so you know you’re getting quality treats when you have a Dominion cone!

Reviving traditional Italian ice cream making methods, Pitango Gelato uses only the best and freshest ingredients. All of their gelatos and sorbets are free of artificial ingredients, colorings, flavorings and chemicals, and they also limit fat and sugar content in all of their treats. Not only do they strive to deliver quality Italian gelato, they also bring you amazing Italian coffee. Their coffee comes from a local roaster to ensure it’s always fresh for you.They’ve partnered with Counter Culture Coffee because of their commitment to quality and sustainability. So after you’ve enjoyed your gelato, make sure you also grab yourself a cup o’ joe at Pitango Gelato.

Last Minute Weekend Trip to Ocean City, MD

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

Being in Baltimore means we’re within driving distance of the beach! One of the best and most popular beach destinations on the east coast is Ocean City, MD. The tiny sliver of land across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is a popular destination for everyone from families to spring breakers. The long strip of land is packed with restaurants, shopping and so many other things to do. Give yourself a well deserved weekend trip and head on over to the real OC.

When you’ve just had enough of the beach (not possible) you can grab your putter and try your hand at mini golf. There are multiple courses available up and down the strip and even a few indoor courses for when the weather takes a turn for the worse. The different courses range from everything to sea life themed, to safari themed to dragon themed. So grab your putter and get ready to tame some golf dragons.

One of the most popular attractions in all of Ocean City is the boardwalk. The sprawling expanse of wooden boards is filled to the brim with shops, restaurants and fun attractions. If you head all the way to the south end you’ll find Trimper’s Rides. The tiny amusement park has so many rides for you to have fun on! Once you’ve finished with the rides, take a walk through the weird and unbelievable. Ripley’s Believe It or Not has all manner of oddities to make you wonder, is it real or not? There are so many stores up and down the boardwalk that you can’t walk 5 steps without running into one! With everything from candy stores to surf shops to souvenir t-shirt stores, there’s something for everyone on the boardwalk.

While you’re in Ocean City, you can’t miss out on the wonder that is Assateague Island. 8 miles south of OC you can find a small island inhabited by ponies! The legendary ponies were said to have swam to shore from a sunken Spanish ship and made their home on Assateague. The island is open for you to drive or walk through with some areas having the ponies even close enough to touch. But venture close at your own risk! You can even camp out on the island in certain areas. Check here for rules and regulations about the island.

There is so much to do in Ocean City, MD and this is only a small sampling of what’s available. You could spend months here without doing everything there is to do! So if you’re only spending a couple of days here it’s best to find the most exciting things to do!

Cheese Pizza Day

Image courtesy of Wikipedia

There are all different kinds of pizzas: pepperoni, Hawaiian, white, veggie, the options are endless. But there’s only one original ‘za: the cheese pizza. If you’re a fan of the classic cheese pizza then this holiday is for you. This Saturday is Cheese Pizza Day. The only way to celebrate is with a big cheesey pie all to yourself (or you can share if you’re feelings generous).

BOP, Brick Oven Pizza’s delicious wood fired oven pizzas are a given when you start talking about yummy Baltimore pizzas. They’re so amazing BOP has even been included on the Food Network! On top of their specialty pizzas, their menu consists of pastas, salads and oversized wraps. If you’re in the mood for pizza they have everything from Hawaiian to Pizza Cheese Steak to Meat Lovers to Greek. Each one of these pizzas is an experience that you won’t want to miss. You’ll be back the next day for another one! BOP is only a short 13 minute drive from McHenry Row so you won’t have to travel far or wait long for delivery!

Also, featured on the Food Network on Diner’s, Drive Ins and Dives, is Johnny Rad’s Pizzeria Tavern. With a constantly changing menu, you’ll have to come in frequently to make sure you try all of it! From their starters to the sandwiches to their desserts and cocktails, you cannot go wrong at Johnny Rad’s. While you’re chowing down on that pizza make sure you wash it down with a selection from their extensive list of beers. Johnny Rad’s is only 13 minutes’ drive from McHenry Row Apartments.

This upscale, full service trattoria specializes in authentic Neapolitan Pizzas. Verde has an extensive list of traditional and creative original wood fired pizzas. If you’re feeling brave, you can try experiential dining for a more hands-on experience. Sample the cheeses and pizzas while you make one yourself. Their authentic Italian cuisine will leave your mouth watering. They even have a brunch menu if you’re up for early morning Italian food. Your delicious Italian pizza is only 15 minutes away from McHenry Row Apartments.

Maryland State Fair: What You Need to Know

Image courtesy of Wikimedia

In 1878, after a few unsuccessful attempts, the Maryland State Fair was created! After many many years of growing and changing, the fair has finally become the mammoth that it is today. From just over 37 acres to 100 acres, the fair has really grown up! Now an 11 day event with over half a million visitors each year, the Maryland State Fair is an amazing spectacle for people of all ages to partake in.


Where is it?

The Maryland State Fair is located at: 2200 York Road, Lutherville-Timonium, MD 21093. Only 30 minutes away from McHenry Row Apartments.


When is it?

The fair takes place across 11 days from August 28 until September 7. So you have plenty of time to get to the fair and no excuses to miss out!

How much is it?

Admission to the fair is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, $3 for children ages 6-11 and children under 6 get in for free! Rides are priced separately from admission. Tickets for rides cost $1 each and rides typically cost 3-6 tickets apiece. Discount sheets of ride tickets are available at $45 for 50 ride tickets.

From August 28 and August 31-September 3, if you purchase an unlimited rides pass for $23 you can ride as much as you want from noon until 10 in Kiddieland and 2 until 10 on the Main Midway.


What can I see?

Throughout the entire fair there are so many activities to participate in and food to eat and rides to ride that you won’t even cover it all in the 11 days of the fair! If you’re a performing kind, you can grab the microphone and do some karaoke at the Carolina Carsports Free Stage all week. If you’d rather watch than perform, you can see so many interesting local bands perform all week.

There is plenty of free entertainment available to all fair goers such as a demonstration at the birthing center where you can see a live animal birth! You can cheer on horses, ponies and pigs as they race to the finish. If you’re the athletic type you can participate in the 5K, the Beer Run or the Track Challenge. There is so much to take in at the Maryland State Fair.


What about concerts?

Concert tickets are sold separately from fair admission and can be purchased here. On September 4, you can see R5 and Bea Miller at the fair. September 5 you can come back and see Fifth Harmony perform. On September 6 you can catch the Latino Music Festival starting at 6PM.

Life At McHenry Row

Are you looking for a new place to live in Baltimore? If you want to live your best life and have the best experience possible then your next move should be to McHenry Row Apartments. We have so much to offer our residents here and there is so much to do in the surrounding area. Our amazing location and luxurious apartments ensure that you will enjoy your time at McHenry Row.


Location

McHenry Row Apartments, located in South Baltimore right near the Patapsco River, is in the heart of the city. Situated above a town center with a multitude of shops and restaurants, everything you could ever need is right at your fingertips.

Restaurants include a sports bar, Asian bistro, gourmet sandwich shop, coffee shop, beer and wine store and yogurt shop. Stores and services include a running store, pet shop, dry cleaners, hair salon, massage studio, nail salon, cellular phone store, two banks, one drive-through and a family dental office. McHenry Row feels like a small city all on its own! Everything is conveniently located around the apartments so you can shop until you drop and retreat to your comfy apartment!


Amenities

We want our residents to feel right at home from the moment they step through the door. Among the amenities offered to our residents are a demonstration kitchen available for parties, a wine decanting lounge, a business center and cyber cafe, a fireside lounge and party room to entertain guests, a fitness center, a yoga/pilates studio and a rooftop terrace and lounge for scenic views of the river! With all of this located within the complex, you don’t even have to leave your apartment to have a good time.

For your floor plan you can choose between a studio, one bedroom or two bedroom. Certain apartments have the option of having a loft and a balcony. Each apartment comes with a spacious walk in closet, extra large, deep kitchen sinks, granite countertops in kitchens and bathrooms, and controlled access entry for residents’ safety. Residents will have access to attached garage parking and nightly trash pickup valet.


If you’re in the market for a new apartment you don’t have to look further than McHenry Row Apartments. Our beautiful apartments, fabulous amenities and great location make us the best choice for Baltimore apartment seekers. You can search for available apartments on our website here.

Farm Fresh Food: Area Farmers Markets

Image courtesy Pixabay

Whether you're a vegetarian, like to support local farmers, or prefer your produce to be as fresh as possible, summertime is definitely your prime produce-purchasing season! If you have not had the opportunity to visit one of Baltimore's farmers markets this season, it's not too late to attend one! There are quite a few market options in the McHenry Row neighborhood, so you don't have to travel far to get fresh fruits and veggies!

Baltimore Museum of Industry Farmers Market
BMI's farmers market is held weekly on Saturdays from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. The market features fruits, vegetables, meats, flowers, baked goods, and more! Also lining the market are live musicians, artisans, children's activities and other community vendors! The market's season continues weekly through October 31, with the exception of October 17. Among the vendors are Cooperative Coffee, Loch Haven Farm, Tuckey's Fruit and Vegetable Farm and Wicked Good Sweets, just to name some.

Pratt Street Farmers Market
Located at Pratt & Light Plaza (outside the Transamerica Building), the Pratt Street Farmers' Market is held on Thursdays from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.  Its season will run through September 24, and many of its vendors accept credit/debit cards, too! Pratt Street market vendors include Atwater's Bakery, Diveley's Fruit Farm, Knob Hill Winery and YOLO Farms, among many others!

Baltimore Farmers' Market & Bazaar
If you can't make it to a Thursday or Saturday market, the Baltimore Farmers' Market & Bazaar takes place on Sundays! From 7 a.m. to noon at Holliday and Saratoga Streets, not only will you find fruits, veggies, meats, herbs but also quiches, soups, and vegan food options, and collectibles and crafts! Be sure to arrive early because it is not unusual for vendors at this market to sell out! This market has a very long season, running through December (yes, December) 20! To view a full list of the market's farmers and vendors, visit the market's website.

To view a list of even more markets in the South Baltimore Area, view SouthBMore's list here. All of the farmer's markets we listed about are within a 15-minute drive of your apartment home at McHenry Row! Have a wonderful weekend! Let us know if you visit any of the markets!

National Oyster Day in Baltimore

Image courtesy Pixabay

It is certainly no secret that Baltimore will serve up the best crab cakes you've ever eaten in your life, but today is about a whole other type of seafood - oysters! Today marks National Oyster Day, and to celebrate, many area eateries are joining in on the fun by providing some "shellshucking" good deals!

National Oyster Day actually benefits our area - the goal of the "holiday" is to raise awareness of, and to help preserve, oysters in the Chesapeake Bay.

The Mt. Washington Tavern
This Baltimore eatery isn't just offering a great discount, they're offering a complete one! Join the tavern, located at 5700 Newbury St., for FREE Tavern Salt Oysters from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The tavern will also craft house Oyster Shooters, including Cucumber Mint, The Classic, The Baltimoron and the Crazy Russian. The full oyster selection at Mt. Washington Tavern is brought in fresh daily! In addition to the free oysters, guests will also enjoy live music as they dine.

The Nickel Taphouse
If you want to hit back-to-back oyster day celebrations, head to The Nickel Taphouse, located within very close proximity of The Mt. Washington Tavern. The Nickel will be offering $1 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and $1.50 oyster po'boys. Their selection includes Huckleberry, Chesapeake Gold, Battle Creek, War Shore, Olde Salts, Malpeque and Wellfleet.

Ryleigh's Oysters
The Federal Hill, Mount Vernon and Hunt Valley locations of Ryleigh's will be offering specials for National Oyster Day. Until 10 p.m. tonight, guests may select $1 oysters of any variety. Its regular "Oyster Hour" deals will also be in effect today. These include the $1 oysters, $3 drafts and $5 wines and chef's plates. "Oyster Hour" is from 3 p.m. through 7 p.m.

If you want to take advantage of one of these deals, Ryleigh's Oysters is located closest to your home at McHenry Row. However, if you want to make an entire evening out of the holiday, head to The Mt. Washington Tavern and/or The Nickel Taphouse.

Do you know of any nearby deals that we missed? Let us know! 

Additional sources consulted:
Baltimore Sun
Baltimore Fishbowl

Dine Out on the Town: Baltimore Restaurant Week

Image courtesy Pixabay

When you think of Baltimore dining, there is so much more than crab to feast upon! If you're often intimidated by the thought of trying new restaurants because of the price, Baltimore Restaurant Week is the perfect time to get outside of your dining comfort zone! The city's summer restaurant week began on July 24, but you have until August 2 to take advantage of the promotional deals!

Sponsored by Dine Downtown Baltimore, Restaurant Week's participating restaurants will offer lunch and/or dinners at a special rate. These offers include a three-course dinner for either $20 or $30 per person, and two-course brunch or lunch meals for $15! More than 50 area restaurants are participating this round, so now is a wonderful opportunity to plan a special date night at that restaurant you and your significant other have been dying to try!

Are you curious as to which restaurants near your apartment home at McHenry Row are participating? The closest participating restaurant is Locust Point's Wine Market Bistro, which is offering a variety of both lunch and dinner deals. You can visit Wine Market Bistro at 921 E. Fort Ave. 

In Federal Hill, participating restaurants include: Blue Agave Restaurante y Tequileria, Bluegrass Tavern, Encantada, Liv2Eat, Matsuri Japanese Restaurant, Michael's Steak and Lobster House, Mother's Federal Hill Grille, Regi's American Bistro, Sip Kitchen & Wine Bar, SoBo Cafe, and The Rowhouse Grille.

To view a complete list of participating eateries, or to search by neighborhood, visit the official Baltimore Restaurant Week website.

If this is your first time sampling new restaurants during Baltimore Restaurant Week, here are a few tips:

• Make a reservation: The early bird will get the worm, or in this case the table. Restaurant Week brings more patrons to these restaurants than they typically would see during the week.
• Check out what's near your workplace: Ask a couple of co-workers to join you for a lunch break! Lunch is also an alternative if you're unable to get a dinner reservation.
• Do your homework: If you've never tried a restaurant, look them up online to see which dishes are recommended!

We'll see you at dinner! Bon Appetit! 

Additional sources consulted:

Visit Baltimore

McHenry Row Welcomes InnoVision and Piaza Fresh

Image courtesy InnoVision Eye Care

Within the McHenry Row neighborhood, you can find shopping, dining, residences and events! While there have been a lot of changes going on at McHenry Row lately due to some new construction, we are thrilled to announce that two new businesses within our community have opened (or will be soon!). Join us in welcoming InnoVision Eye Care and Piaza Fresh to McHenry Row!

InnoVision Eye Care
InnoVision Eye Care is "revolutionizing the eye care experience" through modern conveniences like online scheduling, online appointment check in and virtual frame boards. InnoVision is a family-owned business focused on providing convenient and affordable eye care. The practice is open Monday through Saturday. To view its full hours of operation, please visit the InnoVision website.

InnoVision is celebrating with a Grand Opening event this Saturday, July 25! An official ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at 11:30 a.m., followed by a champagne reception and hors d'oeuvres. The celebration will include multiple prize drawings, including designer glasses, a free year's supply of contacts and much more! There will be a live DJ too, so come down to McHenry Row to visit and support this new local business, and do a little dancing!

Piaza Fresh
In addition to InnoVision, McHenry Row is also thrilled to welcome a new fast-casual food option - Piaza Fresh! This is Piaza's second Baltimore area location, with the first located in Berlin. Piaza Fresh serves pizza, salads and piadas on homemade dough that is baked to perfection in a 900 degree flame-fired brick oven! You may be thinking, "What is a piada?" The answer will undoubtedly make you hungry. Think of a piada as an Italian burrito, made up of a flatbread, pearl pasta and other Italian ingredients! Satisfying your late night pizza cravings will soon be just steps away from your apartment home at McHenry Row! 

Piaza Fresh is also planning a Grand Opening for this Saturday! We will post more details on the McHenry Row Facebook and Twitter pages as we receive them. Stay tuned for updates! We hope to see you at McHenry Row this weekend to join us as these businesses officially open their doors! 

Dine at McHenry Row

Image courtesy Pixabay

After a long, tiring week at work, there is no better way to unwind that right at home at McHenry Row! A nice dinner, a stroll along the water or a happy hour are all within walking distance of your apartment home. For those evenings where you don't want to travel too far or sit in traffic to gather with friends or a significant other, grabbing a drink or meal at McHenry Row is the perfect solution!

Spend an Evening In
Pick up a bottle of wine at The Cellars, open daily from 6 PM to midnight, on your way back from work or takeout from Umi Sake! Soon, McHenry Row residents and patrons will be able to pick up a pie on the way home - Piaza Fresh plans to open at McHenry Row on July 23. Curl up in your apartment home at McHenry Row with a movie or whatever show you're currently binge-watching, for the perfect, cozy night in!

Casual Happy Hour
If you're the type of person who, once home after work has no chance of leaving the house, meet your significant other for a happy hour on the way home! World of Beer-Baltimore is an ideal location for a casual post-work drink, as their happy hour runs weekdays between 4 and 7 PM. Current happy hour specials (subject to change) include $1 off draughts and $5 select tavern food. World of Beer also has weekly events like Monday night team trivia, and regularly features live performances from local musicians and bands. 

Contemporary Cocktails
If beer isn't your favorite beverage, head over to The Greene Turtle for a cocktail during its happy hour, which runs weekdays from 3 to 7 PM. Try the Blood Orange Rita, made with tequila, orange liqueur and blood orange sour, or the Crabby Mary, made up of "Absolut Pepperr Vodka, Finest Call Loaded Bloody Mary, hot sauce and crab meat, garnished with olives, lime and Old Bay seasoning!" Stay for dinner and feast on crab cakes, burgers, ribs and other all-American dishes!

Intimate Dinner
If you're seeking a quieter environment or a romantic sit-down dinner, consider Umi Sake. Umi serves noodles, signature sushi and sashimi, desserts and after-dinner drinks! Try the Wasabi Spicy Salmon or the No Name Roll, which is comprised of shrimp, avocado, crab meat (inside and tempura style), baked with spicy mayo and more crab meat! 

A social meal or drinks with friends or significant others is just one method of unwinding at the end of the week. You can take comfort in knowing that you can socialize and enjoy a meal just steps away from your home! 

Where are some of your favorite dishes at these McHenry Row eateries? Share yours with us on our Facebook or Twitter pages!