How You Can Help Baltimore

It has certainly been a tough week to live in Baltimore, but our city is stronger than its recent tragedies. If you would like to help, but aren't sure how to do so, here are some volunteer opportunities and other ways you can contribute to the city's cleanup and recovery.

311: If you would like to volunteer with cleanup around Baltimore, dial 311. A new category will direct you to volunteer opportunities.

Baltimore Food Bank: All donations made this week will go directly to aiding victims of the rioting.

Maryland Unites: This site was created by the Governor's office to assist those businesses and residences who were affected by the recent rioting. On the site, you both report an incident or donate to nonprofit organizations, including the Salvation Army, United Way, Associated Black Charities and the American Red Cross. You may also fill out a volunteer form.

Southern Baptist Community Church: The church was damaged during the rioting and is accepting donations for repairs on its website.

Support Baltimore: This website was established to help local businesses damaged in the rioting through the purchase of Baltimore-themed support stickers.

The Fund for Rebuilding Baltimore: Donations are being accepted by the fund, created by the Baltimore Community Foundation, to assist repairing both physical and emotional damage.

Youth Empowerment Society: This organization is a drop-in shelter for homeless youth. Its building was damaged Monday night and is currently accepting donations for repairs.

Events & Other Ways to Contribute
Be More Benefit: A Night of Music to Aid the Rebuilding of Our City | May 20 | 7 PM | Metro Gallery: All proceeds from the concert will benefit The Fund for Rebuilding Baltimore (mentioned above). Tickets cost $10.

Joe Squared Pizza: 10% of the proceeds from purchasing a featured pizza from May 1 through June 30 will be donated to The Fund for Rebuilding Baltimore.

Inner Harbor Project Peace Ambassadors: This leadership program sends "peace ambassadors" into the community to spread positivity to local teens. The program is accepting sponsors for this program on its site.

Gallery Church Patterson Park fundraiser for Highland Jewelry: The jewelry store was looted during the riots and is accepting donations to aid in saving the business. 

Since McHenry Row apartment homes are located in the Locust Point area of Baltimore, we were very fortunate to escape damage. If you are able to assist our fellow Baltimore residents, we hope that you will take the opportunity to do so. 

Sources consulted:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/features/bal-volunteer-donation-opportunities-20150428-story.html#page=1
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-public-works-crews-20150428-story.html
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-ci-random-acts-kindness-20150429-story.html

Federal Hill's Spring Block Party

The weather may have cooled off a bit this week, but that's no reason to stay indoors this weekend! You won't have to travel too far to find a local party and do some dancing in the streets - just head over to Cross Street in the neighboring Baltimore community of Federal Hill to celebrate its annual Spring Block Party!

This event is not kidding about the "party" aspect! Combine five bands, six DJs, food, drink and vendors, and you have the recipe for the Spring Block Party. The only thing not in the mix yet is you! Bands performing at the event include Space Boy, Bond and Bentley, Bastards of Reality, Bumpin Uglies and All Mighty Senators. DJs you'll find spinning records at the block party include DJ A Sides, DJ Jamal, DJ Jbomb, DJ Landis Expandis, DJ Jared and DJ Joey Janko! 

What's the purpose of this party? Besides bringing the community together for an afternoon of fun and entertainment, a portion of the proceeds from the block party will benefit nonprofit Federal Hill Main Street. Ready to party on Sunday? Tickets can be purchased in advance for $5 here, or are $10 the day of the event. 

Ready to party? The event takes place this Sunday, April 26 from 11 AM to 7 PM on Cross Street in Federal Hill. The easiest way to get to the event from the McHenry Row apartment homes, if you don't want to worry about finding parking, is to hop on the Charm City Circulator. The Purple Line stops right outside McHenry Row! How convenient is that?

Grab a friend, neighbor or loved one and have some good old-fashioned street-fair fun on Sunday! Have any McHenry Row residents attended this event in the past? What were your favorite bands or vendors? Do you plan to attend on Sunday? Share your thoughts or pictures with us on the McHenry Row Facebook and Twitter pages!

Sources consulted:
SouthBmore.com

Port to Fort 6K

Get ready to lace up your running shoes, McHenry Row residents! Next Saturday, April 25 is Believe in Tomorrow Children's Foundation's Port to Fort 6K race, right next door to McHenry Row! 

What is the Believe in Tomorrow Children's Foundation?

The foundation provides hospital and lodging assistance for critically ill children and their families, in addition to emotional support, throughout the United States. 

About the Race

This 6K is run through Baltimore's historic and scenic Fort McHenry. The race begins at 8:30 AM at Coke Field. Through April 22, registration costs $30 for the general public, $20 for students, seniors, members of the US Armed Forces, Believe in Tomorrow families and Home Depot employees, $15 for children under age 10 and $40 for "virtual runners," who receive a T-Shirt and bib without attending the race itself. Registration on race day is $40 and starts at 7 AM.

Packet pick-up will take place at The Greene Turtle McHenry Row on Thursday, April 23 and Friday, April 24 from 2-7 PM. Chips can be picked up starting at 7 AM on race day. Stick around at The Greene Turtle for lunch or dinner after you pick up your packet and Greene Turtle will donate 20% of your bill to Believe in Tomorrow when you present this flyer!

Here is the route of the course, courtesy of Believe in Tomorrow:

• START: Intersection of Woodall Street and Fort Avenue
• Head east on Fort Avenue toward Light Street
• Left on Belt Street
• Left on Randall Street
• Left on Webster Street
• Right on Fort Avenue toward Fort McHenry
• Enter Fort McHenry and complete Fort loop, returning to Fort Avenue heading west
• Left on Woodall Street to FINISH

Not a Runner? Volunteer!

A lot of training and preparation goes into a 6K race, so if you're not an avid runner, there are still ways you can contribute. More than 100 volunteers are needed to help with the set-up, execution and clean-up of the race. If you are interested in volunteering, visit the Charm City Run race page here.

Downtown Baltimore Continues to Grow

The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore has released its 2014 State of Downtown Report and downtown continues to grow and prosper! Downtown Baltimore is considered the 1-mile area from Light St. to Pratt St. The increase in jobs, population and retail continue to attract investors to the area.

Since 2012, more than 20,000 jobs have been added downtown, with Healthcare and Social Assistance among the top job sectors downtown. Apartment occupancy rates downtown were at 94% last year, and almost 5,100 additional apartment units are planned or currently under construction.

The development of Charles Center is also expected to be a huge draw to our area. While projects like the Lord Baltimore Hotel and Chesapeake Shakespeare Company are already completed, Wilkes Lane and apartment complexes are currently under construction, and Courthouse Plaza and even more residential spaces are planned to break ground.

McHenry Row apartments offer a convenient alternative to downtown living. Our location in Locust Point is only a 15-minute drive from downtown. We also are a stop on the Purple Route of Charm City Circulator at Light St. and Key Hwy. The Circulator offers free shuttle-service to downtown Baltimore, so you don’t need to worry about parking! You can view the Circulator routes here. Another alternative method of transportation is the water taxi, which can drop you at various locations around the harbor.

What else is so great about McHenry Row? You’ll have everything you could need right outside your front door! There is more than 13,000 sq. feet of retail space, including Charm City Run, Dogma and Massage Envy; World of Beer, Greene Turtle, and The Cellars offer places to pick up a bottle of wine or take-out on the way home; and Harris Teeter makes grocery shopping a snap!

As our area continues to develop, you can live in a space that offers luxury living without paying downtown Baltimore prices! For more information about life at McHenry Row, please call our offices or visit our website!

Additional sources consulted:

South Baltimore.com

Where to Watch the Home Opener

Spring is in the air and opening day is almost here! On April 10, Camden Yards will be filled with excited Orioles' fans ready to take on the Toronto Blue Jays! If you don't have tickets to the game, you can still sport get decked out in orange and head to McHenry Row's many restaurants to catch the game, or check out these spots recommended by Baltimore Magazine (including one right here at McHenry Row!):

Alewife: Take your pick from more than 35 brews on tap at this downtown bar, which will be featuring specials on local beers to celebrate the big game. Bartenders at Alewife will be on hand bright and early on April 10, pouring $5 pints of Full Tilt, Heavy Seas, Brewers Art, and Union Craft beers starting at 10 a.m. 21 N. Eutaw St., 410-545-5112.

Flying Dog at Diamond Tavern: This restaurant, located inside The Hilton Baltimore, is teaming up with Flying Dog Brewery to host a pre-game block party on its patio featuring Flying Dog Bloodline Orange Ale. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy the soulful sounds of The Jordan August Band with DJ Sail Flip while sipping $5 beers and discounted cocktails and Orange Crushes. 401 W. Pratt St., 443-573-8777.

Kislings Tavern: In honor of the first home game of the season, this corner sports bar will be offering some hometown-inspired drink deals. Fans can enjoy $4 Orange Crushes, $5 O Bombs, (orange vodka and red bull) and $3 16-oz Natty Boh cans all night long. The afternoon game against the Toronto Blue Jays also conveniently coincides with Kisling's daily happy hour, which highlights nachos for $6.99, ten wings for $7.99, and crab dip for $8.99 from 3-7 p.m. 2100 Fleet St., 410-327-5477.

Mother's Grille: If you'll be cheering on the birds from Federal Hill, head to the famous purple patio, which transforms to orange this time of year, at this local favorite. Mother's will be celebrating the O's return with a massive outdoor postgame party featuring offerings like $3 Miller Lite cans, $5 Smirnoff Orange Crushes, and a special ballpark menu. 1113 S. Charles St., 410-244-8686.

"O"pening Day Tailgate at Horseshoe Casino: Although earlier this week 98 Rock's Sarah Fleischer announced that she will be retiring in June, you can still hang out with the beloved mid-day DJ at Horseshoe Casino's Outdoor Event Plaza on April 10. The casino and 98 Rock will be hosting an all-you-can-eat and drink tailgate from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with live music, plenty of draft beer, and a stadium fare buffet featuring new items from Guy's Bar B Que Joint—which recently opened in the casino's food court-style Baltimore Marketplace. 1525 Russell St., 844-777-8463.

Power Plant Live: Head to this downtown nightlife district for some O's-themed tailgates and postgame parties on Opening Day. Starting at 10 a.m., all of the bars inside Power Plant Live will be offering $1 ballpark hotdogs, $3 Miller Lite drafts, $20 100-oz Miller Lite towers, and no cover for fans sporting orange apparel. 34 Market Place, 410-727-5483.

Sliders: Located only 771 feet away from home plate at Camden Yards, this popular sports bar is the closest you can get to all of the O's action without a ticket to the stadium. Sliders will be kicking off its Opening Day party at 7a.m with a $10 breakfast buffet and full bar service both inside the restaurant and outside on its patio. Classic fan fare like wings, fries, chicken tenders, and—of course—sliders will also be offered on a game day menu, along with Sliders' signature $10 24-oz. birdbowls full of Orange Crush. 504 Washington Blvd., 410-547-8891.

World of Beer: With more than 50 global brews on tap and tons of pub grub to go around, this McHenry Row spot is a go-to hangout for any sporting event. Signature snacks like flatbreads, black and tan onion rings, mac and cheese, and huge German pretzels will all be highlights of the $5 game day menu—which features built-in beer pairing suggestions. World of Beer will also be offering $4 22-oz Natty Boh drafts starting an hour before the game begins. 1724 Whetstone Way, 41-752-2337

INSIDE THE PARK:
Flying Dog Brewery: In addition to the brews featured at The Hilton's block party outside of the park, stop by Flying Dog Grill on the lower concourse where the brewery's Firkin Friday tradition will be in full effect for the home opener. Every Friday home game, Flying Dog taps one of its unfiltered cask-conditioned ales in a 10-gallon keg, and for Opening Day the cask will be full of Flying Dog's just-released Single Hop Imperial IPA.

Heavy Seas: Since all beers pretty much cost the same amount inside the park, get more bang for your buck by taking advantage of the local brews which can be found around every corner. For Heavy Seas favorites like Loose Cannon, Cross Bones, or SmoothSail drafts, visit the Heavy Seas Beer Cart on the upper level near section 364, Free State Pub on the lower level between sections 49 and 53, Old Bay Seafood on the upper level outside sections 332 and 334 or any of the Club Level Bars.