F ³: Weird and Wonderful

I discovered last night that my blog had been quoted in a piece on Baltimore Fishbowl. It felt weird.

Columbia residents condemn country singer Jason Aldean’s Merriweather concert Thursday, but no protests are expected, Aliza Worthington, Baltimore Fishbowl

I make no secret of the fact that I spend a lot of time on Twitter looking for local stories. I’m also keenly aware that, as a blogger, I am essentially an amateur. Seeing someone from a much larger, professional Baltimore website put together a piece in much the same way that I do felt…odd.

*****

Recommended read for F ³ that takes us out of the Bubble:

Baltimore’s first zero-proof bottle shop will offer booze-less beer, wine, and liquor as non-alcoholic trend grows, Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun

It’s an excellent article plus it’s written by a former local journalist. What’s not to love?

People choose to abstain from drinking alcohol for a variety of reasons: Some are pregnant, some don’t like the taste, some are sober and others may be trying to cut down on calories (some nonalcoholic drinks have a lighter calorie count).

I’d add that some might be designated drivers or have to get up early the next day for work. Some avoid alcohol at events where they will be out in the sun and heat for hours at a time. And some might, on any given day, just not feel like it.

It’s good to have choices.

Here in Howard County Beth Harbinson has created the Sobar model to introduce the concept of offering appealing and creative non-alcoholic beverages. You may have seen their Sobaristas mixing mocktails at local events. They also work with local restaurants through their Sobar certification program. Through an arrangement with Better Rhodes they are able to offer nonalcoholic beverages for purchase, as well.

Back to Baltimore. Hopscotch Zero-Proof Bottle Shop will be located at 520 S. Caroline St. in Fells Point. Owner Daryll Collins hopes to open soon, in early August. It’s true that I don’t get out much, but I’ll definitely be paying them a visit. If this business succeeds, maybe there will be more of them.

I’d like that.

Comments

Getting Fresh

One of my favorite days in the Spring comes when this year’s list of Farmer’s Markets is released. That happened this week. New this year are markets in Old Ellicott City and the “Merriweather Market” which, according to the address, will be located here . I mistakenly thought at first glance that it was in the new-construction part of the Merriweather District. I find the name confusing considering its actual location. I’m going to guess that this market is an initiative of the Howard Hughes Corporation because the name seems chosen more for branding purposes than anything else. Alas, the market in Maple Lawn is gone. The thread on the markets on the County Executive’s FB page will provide you with quite the education in who actually runs the Farmers Markets vs what people often think is going on. Short answer: they are not chosen nor run by the county. Each market is an independent entity, sometimes started by community volunteers, other times supported by local businesses...

Teacher Gifts

Today is the last day of school before the Winter Break. It’s a good time to remember the far-reaching nature of our public school system. You may not have children. You may have sent your children to independent schools. It matters not. You will be impacted one way or another. Yesterday I read a long thread on Facebook about several waves of illness in the schools right now. There’s influenza A and norovirus, I believe. And of course there’s COVID. Apparently in some individual schools the rate of illness is high enough for school admin to notify parents. When I was little the acceptable holiday gift for a teacher was one of those lovely floral handkerchief squares. (I don’t know what it was for male teachers. They were rare in my elementary years.) These days the range of teacher gifts is wider and I have fond memories of Target gift cards which I have written about before. I think it’s safe to say that giving one’s teacher Influenza, norovirus, or COVID is not the ideal holiday...

They Can Wait

This is not a typical Saturday post. That’s because, in my community, it’s not a typical Saturday. Oakland Mills High School, after years of deferred repair, needs massive renovation. It’s pretty simple: when you don’t fix a problem it gets bigger. The school system itself said the the OMHS school building was "no longer conducive to learning" back in 2018. 2018 . But Thursday the Boad of Education voted to push it out of the lineup of important projects which will be given the go-ahead to proceed soonest. In my opinion it’s a terrible decision and sets a dangerous precedent. To explain, here’s the advocacy letter I sent in support of Oakland Mills High School. I was rather proud of it. I am writing to ask you to proceed with needed renovation at Oakland Mills High School in the most timely and comprehensive manner humanly possible. I have read the letter sent to you by the Oakland Mills Community Association and I am in complete agreement. You are extremel...

Village Green/Town²

Search This Blog