First of all, I’d like to welcome Daryl Landry, the new executive director of Pigtown Main Streets to the neighborhood.  Daryl has been living in Pigtown longer than I have and has been a welcome breath of fresh air and energy to the neighborhood.

Secondly, because of Daryl’s hard work, we’re going to have a holiday art festival, Artdromeda, Dec. 3-6th.  I have to admit, I’m pretty excited about this because I love any kind of holiday festival/art bazaar.  It’s a great way of getting unique Christmas gifts for those who are hard to get gifts for.  They will also have a tot lot Holiday Bazaar with Santa Claus and cocoa, Dec. 5th from 11-3pm.

Thirdly, the observations on Washington Blvd so far are good.  We have an art museum at 788 Washington Blvd, which looks more than just promising, it looks really cool.  We’re getting a new coffeehouse, Perfecto, at the former Evelyn’s Cafe, set to open Dec. 12, 2009.  We’re also getting a new restaurant at the former building of Szherezad’s, a BBQ/Bar place, a wine store, and another upscale restaurant and bar.  It’s looking promising– and I hope my neighbors in Pigtown take the time to stroll down the street, say hi to Daryl, and watch for the new businesses coming soon to our area.  Sure, it’s taking a long time, but like all good things, they are worth the wait.  Hopefully.

So, the Pigtowner Blog is on permanent hiatus.  You can read about the rest of my life at tizinu.

Today I learned that on April 16th, there will a court hearing for the Save A Lot  space,  and I’m thinking about going, just to check it out, see what’s going on and what will be done to improve the space.  Because of this train of thought, I was thinking about what stores would be successful in that space.  And I thought of one.

Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin Robbins.

Now, I know what you’re thinking, that this an awful idea.  I mean, why do we need donuts and ice cream when there is so much crap being eaten by people in this neighborhood anyway?  On the surface, it sounds like it would be a cop out, a way to get just something in that space because people in our neighborhood would love to have ANYTHING at all to patronize.

But there are some key reasons to open a DD/BR.  First of all, it would be successful because there isn’t a decent donut place west of the MLK (I know about Ann’s but I don’t know of anyone who has gone there for donuts!)  In fact, the MLK corridor desperately needs a donut place because it’s extremely conveniently located for commuters of all types– those going into the city and those going out of the city– and it has great visibility.  There’s plenty of parking for said commuters to drive into/out of the city, get some donuts, and disperse to their jobs. 

Secondly, it would serve the community as something for adults and children to look forward to in the summer– it’s not egregiously expensive and would be a local hangout for kids to do something instead of just loitering.  I know that it might be problematic if they just hang out around there, but it would also attract something else.

Cops.

Now, I know that I’m playing on a horrible stereotype, but seriously, have you ever seen the Mt. Vernon DD?  There is always a cop car at that parking lot.  And where there’s a cop car, there’s a cop.  And where there’s a cop, there is care… as in people being careful of what they say or do.  And that’s something we need at 701 Washington Blvd.

And lastly, damnit, if I’m craving an ice cream sundae, I can walk over and get one and not have to drive to Federal Hill in the hopes of that one ice cream place being open.

Believe it or not, the apples are not only edible, they’re sweet. Get them while they last: they’re falling off the branches as I type.

Welcome to Pigtown Erica!

From Carol:

This morning, a neighbor who lives on McHenry (between Otterbein and Scott) was mugged. The mugger was described as a black male, 50-55 years old, 5′8″ or 9″ tall, dark skin and short hair. He was also walking with a fake limp and used a cane…which he then used to hit the victim before snatching her purse. This happened at approximately 9 AM.

Typically this doesn’t happen in our neighborhood, but we’ll have to be on high alert now.  Be careful walking the streets!

I’m going down south to see family but I’m going to miss the fireworks in the City.  And I’m not talking about the ones by the water, I mean the ones on the rooftops. 

If you are still in the city, get onto your roof this 4th and check out the illegal fireworks extravaganza that the residents of our fine city set off.  And though Baltimore’s finest will be out in full force to fine those who have the fireworks, I doubt they’ll be fining those who will be enjoying them.

Be safe this weekend and have some Natty Boh!

It’s super piggy cute.

It intrigued me.  Instead of tupperware, you could have a taser party?  I’ve always wondered how to use a taser and I can’t deny the appeal of being able to defend myself at night with a plastic shiny pink electrical pistol.  So I googled “taser party” and found this site, which helps you host parties in MD.  And guess what?

Stun guns are banned from Baltimore City.  

I should’ve known.

My personal philosophy is to not seek the pigs, but let the pigs come to you. So when I noticed piggy corn holders while shopping for bathroom storage, I couldn’t help myself. I had to get them. 

Oh, piggies! You will make my corn taste so much better!