Fitzgerald Community: Please join The Fitzgerald in helping to provide thousands of new books for four renovated Baltimore City Public School libraries as well as classroom and home libraries!

They are asking for new and slightly used books for kids ages 3-14 years old. If you would like more information, visit www.baltimorelibraryproject.org.

All of your help and donations would be greatly appreciated! The drive ends on March 30th, so hurry in and drop off your books at The Fitzgerald (it is so convenient with Barnes and Noble right next door!)!

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out the Rockfish Celebration in Downtown Baltimore. Click here for restaurants participating as well as their delicious menu’s including Maryland’s very own state fish, Rockfish.

Also visit DineDowntownBaltimore.com for all the latest events and restaurant deals in Downtown Baltimore. If you are looking for a fine dining meal, Dine Downtown Baltimore is great place to start your search. You’ll find that Downtown Baltimore’s food revolution has infiltrated every level of the dining scene.

The Downtown Partnership is a great resource for old and new Baltimoreans alike. If you’re looking for a family event, to a night on the town, the Downtown Partnership is the place to look.

Now that playoff season is in full gear, we will (fingers crossed) continue to watch our Ravens represent Charm City well! Good health for all players is obviously at the top of the priority list. Notibly, so they can continue to block, throw, run, and most importantly win! The other day, an article was posted that Joe Flacco was experimenting in his driveway with a skateboard. WHAT?! Although, it was only for “10 feet” as he claims, we still value you Flacco, PLEASE don’t break your arm!

Let’s continue to support our beloved Ravens, and cheer them all the way to Indianapolis! Paint the town purple, and show the nation how much support we have for our Ravens! Let’s also give this little boy, Garrett some major kudos for knowing the players (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOPeADPu-Ro&feature=youtu.be). I think it is safe to say, he has his early acceptance into “Ball So Hard University”.

CAW CAW! Go Ravens!

Now that the holidays have passed, and our jeans are a little tighter, you often see people using their new gym memberships to get those bodies back in shape. Well take some time out of your busy work and exercise regime to reward yourself, and discover some great restaurants that gives Baltimore it’s “Charm City” name!

Baltimore Winter Restaurant Week  starts January 20th, and lasts until January 29th. Take advantage of this awesome culinary event, and check out some of the great restaurants participating.

Not only do you get to consume the finest eats of Baltimore, but restaurants participating have committed to support The Journey Home, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake’s plan to make homelessness rare and brief in Baltimore City (and we’re all about philanthropy here at The Fitzgerald). Don’t know about her plan? Check out more information here: www.endinten.org.

So next time you’re hitting that mile marker, think about which restaurant you’re daring to try to reward yourself for a happy and healthy 2012!

Join Baltimore in the “Monumental Occasion” of the 40th Annual Lighting of the Washington Monument! It takes place Thursday, December 1, 2011 with pre-event festivities hosted by MIX 106.5 at 5:30pm in Mount Vernon. The official ceremony begins at 7pm with the official lighting at approximately 7:45pm. This should be a great event, to kick of the 2011 holiday season!

Please take note: 

In preparation for the event, the following streets will be closed to through traffic on Thursday, December 01, 2011 with detours in effect:

• 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. – West Mt. Vernon Place from Charles to Cathedral Streets 
• 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. – West drive of North Charles Street from Centre to Madison Streets
• 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. – East drive of North Charles Street from Centre to Madison Streets and East Mt. Vernon Place from Charles to St. Paul Streets

In addition, parking will be restricted in the following areas as well: 

• 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. – West Mt. Vernon Place from Charles to Cathedral Streets and along the west drive of North Charles Street from Centre to Madison Streets 
• 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. – East drive of North Charles Street from Centre to Madison Streets, East Mt. Vernon Place from North Charles to St. Paul Streets and the north side of Centre Street from Cathedral to Calvert Streets

It should be a great way to start the holidays, if you have any other questions, concerns, or need information on the Lighting of the Washington Monument, call 1-877-BALTIMORE or visit http://www.godowntownbaltimore.com.

The holidays are a time for us to reflect on what we are thankful for. This holiday season, The Fitzgerald has adopted a family from The House of Ruth. Please join us in giving this family the holiday they deserve! We are welcoming all gifts, unwrapped and new to give to this well deserving family.  

Residents and all of those who are willing to donate throughout the community, please contribute- it would be so appreciated by this special mom and her 5 children! Again, donated gifts need to be new and unwrapped and this is their profile:

Mom
Pants- 4
Shirt- Small
Wishlist:
Pajamas
Full Size Blanket
Camera

Child A
Age- 14
Gender- Male
Pants- 14
Shirt- Medium
Shoes- 7.5/8
Wishlist:
Loves playing and watching soccer. Favorite team is Barcelona.
Jeans
Sweaters
Shoes

Child B
Age- 16
Gender- Male
Pants- 16
Shirt- Medium
Shoes- 8
Wishlist:
iPod headphones
Jeans
Shirts
Shoes

Child C
Age- 15
Gender- Female
Pants- 12/14
Shirt- Medium
Shoes- 6
Wishlist:
Loves soccer. Favorite team is Manchester United.
Jeans
Shirts
Shoes

Child D
Age- 5
Gender- Male
Wishlist:
Go Diego Go Toys
Go Diego Go Pillow / Pillowcase
Twin Blanket
Target Gift Card

Child E
Age- 6
Gender- Female
Wishlist:
Dora the Explorer Pillow / Pillowcase
Dora the Explorer Toys
Twin Blanket
Target Gift Card

December 11th is the last day, so please do your best to donate whatever you can! This wonderful family, and The Fitzgerald would greatly appreciate it!

We at The Fitzgerald would like to take a moment to thank all of the veterans who have proudly served and protected The United States in times of war and peace. Without you, we wouldn’t have the great freedoms that we are able to take part in today.

Go out and enjoy this gorgeous Autumn weather at Fort McHenry, and discover the birthplace of the National Anthem and Veteran’s Day! There are a variety of events from parades, live music, and living history lessons!

Also, please take a moment to realize what great troops we have, and how lucky we are that they are willing to give their lives for our freedom!

Fun Veteran’s Day Facts:

• In 1968, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed by Congress, which moved the celebration of Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October. The law went into effect in 1971, but in 1975 President Ford returned Veterans Day to November 11, due to the important historical significance of the date.9.2 million veterans are over the age of 65.
• 1.9 million veterans are under the age of 35.
• 7.8 million veterans served during the Vietnam War era (1964-1975), which represents 33% of all living veterans.
• There are approximately 23.2 million military veterans in the United States.
• Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Congress passed a resolution in 1926 for an annual observance, and Nov. 11 became a national holiday beginning in 1938. Veterans Day is not to be confused with Memorial Day–a common misunderstanding, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Memorial Day (the fourth Monday in May) honors American service members who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle, while Veterans Day pays tribute to all American veterans–living or dead–but especially gives thanks to living veterans who served their country honorably during war or peacetime

THANK YOU TO OUR VETERANS!!!

As many of you may know, Under Armour is sponsoring the Baltimore Running Festival this weekend, starting downtown on October 15th at 8 a.m. Don’t feel out of the loo0p if running isn’t really you’re thing, there will be numerous activities to cater to all types!

“The running festival includes many different events, including the Baltimore marathon, a half-marathon, a 5K race, a team relay and a kids’ fun run. Other planned activities include a free health and fitness expo at M&T Bank Stadium, a celebration village with award ceremony and a carbo-load dinner for runners.”

If you’re looking to avoid the marathon, click here for closures throughout the weekend.

Enjoy the great atmosphere and the beautiful fall weather!

Attention residents of Baltimore: it’s time for another Charm City Scene roundup full of ideas on what to do this week. Check out some Medieval relics, catch an exciting variety show, and then enjoy a mellow Sunday with the family creating colorful art projects.

Going on now through May 15th at The Walters Art Museum is an amazing exhibit called Treasures of Heaven: Saints, Relics, and Devotion in Medieval Europe. Medieval Christians worshipped saints and displayed their bodily remains in special containers called reliquaries. These reliquaries were covered in silver and gold and decorated with semiprecious stones and gems to announce the important status of their sacred contents to all who came to worship. This exhibit has over 130 sculptures, paintings, and manuscripts that were gathered from respected collections including from The Louvre and The Vatican. General admission to the Walters Art Museum is free and you can purchase tickets for this exhibition online; prices range from free for members to $8 regular admission. The museum is open Wednesday – Sunday, from 10am – 5pm.

This Saturday at The Creative Alliance at The Patterson, Titled Torch celebrates their 2-year anniversary with “The Bipolar Show,” which is a throwback to their very first performance ever. Titled Torch is known for being a wild and extreme fire variety show in DC and has now been exciting audiences for two years. The cast is skilled in dance, circus arts, acrobatics, comedy, burlesque, music and, of course, fire! Miss Joule and Malibu have a few tricks up their sleeves and are excited to celebrate this momentous occasion with you, their audience. There will be games, raffles, and prizes so be sure to dress in your bipolar best, whether that be crazy, interrupting colors or polar opposites,  black and white. Tickets are $11 for Creative Alliance members or $16 for non-members.

Every Sunday at the Baltimore Museum of Art is “Free Family Sunday.” This month, the museum is experimenting with clay, painting the flowers in bloom outside, and drawing from a live, costumed model in the gallery. This Sunday, April 24th is “Family Tour – Back to Basics,” which will begin at 2pm, so be sure to get there before then. The BMA is open on Sundays from 11am-6pm, so enjoy a fun-filled day, all day, for free!

Your Scene at a Glance:

• Treasures of Heaven: Saints, Relics, and Devotion in Medieval Europe
  • When: Now-5/15
  • Where: The Walters Art Museum (click for directions)

• Tilted Torch: The Bipolar Show – BALTIMORE EDITION
  • When: 4/23; 8pm
  • Where: The Creative Alliance At The Patterson (click for directions)

• Free Family Sundays
  • When:  4/24; 11am-6pm
  • Where: Baltimore Museum of Art (click for directions)

It’s time for another Charm City Scene roundup for Baltimore and we have some great suggestions on how to spend your free time this week. If you are a bride to be, you will not want to miss out on Baltimore’s biggest wedding event of the season. We also have a suggestion for a live theater performance that is getting rave reviews and an authentic St. Patty’s Day celebration to keep you busy.

The Everyman Theatre in Baltimore is debuting Stick Fly, which will run from March 16th through April 17th. This production centers around a wealthy African-American family whose sons bring home their girlfriends to meet the parents for the first time. What unfolds is a comical, intelligent, and moving story about this complex family set in Martha’s Vineyard. Stick Fly was written by Lydia R. Diamond who has been called “one of America’s freshest and most dynamic voices” and playwrights today. Tickets range in price depending on the day and time; for some showings tickets are $10 for students, $25 for seniors, and $30 for adults, other showings are only offering $42 adult tickets. Follow the Everyman Theatre on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date with their 2011 season.

St. Patrick’s Day is this Thursday, so be sure to celebrate accordingly! Sláinte is an authentic Irish pub and restaurant in Baltimore with daily specials on Irish fare and drinks. In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, they will have live Irish music and even more specials than usual on Irish beers and food all night long. There is no cover charge, so it will most likely be packed. Come down early and be hungry and thirsty for specials on Guinness and corned beef and cabbage! Everyone is Irish for one day out of the year, so don’t miss out! Learn more about their daily deals via their Facebook and Twitter pages.

If you are planning an upcoming wedding, you will not want to miss out on the Aisle Style Wedding Event presented by Baltimore Bride Magazine this Sunday at the Hilton Baltimore from 1-4pm. Mix and mingle with Baltimore’s best wedding professionals and check out everything from dresses to cake and flowers – and everything in between, too! Enjoy live music from the Perfect Harmony String Quartet Group, and hors d’oeuvres and desserts from SugarBakers Cakes while you enter for the amazing prize giveaways and check out the vendors beautiful ideas for your big day. Tickets are $20 in advance or $30 at the door. Don’t miss this chance to add the finishing touches to your wedding and make it a day you will never forget!

Your Scene at a Glance:

• Stick Fly
  • When: 3/16-4/17
  • Where: Everyman Theater (click for directions)

• St. Patrick’s Day Celebration
  • When: 3/17
  • Where:  Sláinte Irish Pub and Restaurant (click for directions)

• Aisle Style Wedding Event
  • When: 3/20; 1pm-4pm
  • Where: Hilton Baltimore (click for directions)

Got something you want to see in the Charm City Scene? Email chris {at} fitzgeraldbaltimore {dot} com, and we’ll blog about it!