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Showing entries for Category: outdoors
 So you've heard about this whole "global warming" thing, right? Sure as hellfire seems we're roasting in the midst of some such deviltry right now... what with the temperatures soaring nearer to three digits each day and the scorching rays of the sun continuously assaulting every exposed surface. This has become especially apparent since the recent bout of near-constant rainfall disappeared so very quickly. In its place we are left with a barrage of heat and humidity which would (almost) make New Orleans proud.Still, it seems like every winter here in Baltimore, you hear people bitching and moaning about how global warming has been disproven and how this godforsaken chill will never leave their bones. And when April and May swing around and we're still slowly defrosting, I don't hear anything but longing for the dog days of summer. Guess we should be careful what we wish for... Either way, I can't blame the good people of Baltimore for the erratic weather here. But there's not a whole lot I can do to help, either. I can't turn my little window unit A/C around and affect the climate. I can't give you all a Coke and a smile. And I definitely can't take everyone to the waterpark this weekend, as much as I'd like to... maybe in August, kids, when Daddy can get a freakin' weekend off and doesn't have to worry about his boss breathing down his neck, or the damned mortgage that's about to go up in ARMs and ruin his and Mommy's "cuddle time"... But I digress. Plus, I hardly ever work weekends, I don't even have a mortgage and there's definitely no "Mommy" around. And what the hell is "cuddle time", anyway? Sorry about that... sometimes the medication wears off and things get a little fuzzy... Anyway, let's get back to the point. So, if I'm trying to help everyone stay cool here, the one power I do have is the ability to suggest several frosty beverages to take the sweat out of the air. To that end, here are a few inventively tasty ideas that can really drop the temperature a few degrees and hopefully keep everyone's mouth occupied just long enough to interrupt the constant complaining about the heat. Seriously people, it's not that bad...
Well, I have to say that a couple Orange Crushes into this article, I feel pretty darned good about it. I am aware that there are plenty other cooling beverages out there that everyone knows about... such as the Pina Colada or the Daiquiri (a little generic, but still a necessity to any bartender's repetoire)... which I have glossed over. But I am here to inform and educate... maybe introduce a thing or two you haven't tried yet. So if you find yourself hot and sweaty this summer... and I mean from the heat outside (perverts!)... and in need of a chill, go ahead and order one of these. Preferably not in one of these giant plastic cups on the right, but hey man... take what you can get. I will never judge you for your drinking container... only what's inside it. Mark Burlet |
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 Walking around Artscape. Join me this weekend! However, there were times there at the beginning where I found myself stuck going to some touristy bar within walking distance of my house downtown (Inner Harbor, I'm looking at you), running into a bunch of Yankee or Red Sox fans who have nothing better to do in between games than continuously start drunken chants at out-of-town bars, and thinking Baltimore needed something more to offer. It was right around then I discovered the not-so-hidden treasure of Charm City... Artscape. The first year I went was quite memorable. Almost immediately, my roommate decided to lose a few hundred bucks at one of those "charity" gambling booths, where you're always just about to win, although they would never let that actually happen. Several crying-into-our-beers later, we randomly stumbled upon this large crowd standing around, waiting for some guy named Ray Charles to start playing. I don't know about you, but I'm thinking somebody ought to give that fellow a recording contract! Blind or not, he really seemed to know what he was doing. Shame something as simple as the inability to see would keep a gem like that from the public for so long... Anyway, my point is, Artscape opened my eyes (NPI) to the variety of eclectic arts, foods and music that Baltimore has to offer the average (or above average) denizen. After this initial foray onto the streets of Mt. Royal, I began to notice other opportunities for entertainment, with or without (more often with) booze... the street festivals in Fells Point, the art movies at the Charles Theatre, and even that little uniquely Baltimoronic Hon Fest in Hampden. That's when I finally began to stop wondering why I was here and decided to just shut up and enjoy myself while I am.
Oh, and here are just a few of the highlights, in my rarely-humble opinion. Friday, July 18th Saturday, July 19th Sunday, July 20th So there you go, just a hint of what's happening here in Baltimore this weekend. Guess I'll be seeing you at the corner of Mt. Royal Ave. and Charles St., at least while I can still see. So enjoy, Baltimore! And thanks for making me feel right at home... just try to refrain from flashing everyone this weekend, alright? You're better than that... Mark Burlet Who: Me, Joan Jett, Roberta Flack and friends What: Artscape! When: Friday at Noon til Sunday at 8pm Where: Northern edge of Mt. Vernon Why: Free arts and music. What else do you need? More Info: Check the website here.
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So this weekend, at what they are now billing as "America's largest, free public arts festival", get out there and forget about your own issues and just enjoy yourself, damnit! Keep the water handy, break out the sunscreen (if you're glow-in-the-dark white like myself) and brave the 90+ degree heat and check out some of the best this town has to offer. And if you're thirsty Sunday afternoon, you can find me volunteering at one of the many beer tents (I have no idea which one) on the grounds. I'll be happy to serve you... once I'm finished my own.
I don't know about you, but I'm still slowly getting my energy back from Memorial Day Weekend. While it's nice to have a 3-day break, it may lead one to take over-full advantage of the time off work (and the additional recovery day) to spend those precious extra hours and "suck out all the marrow of life". And no, Vince, that's not something dirty, but rather it means that some of us partook of a few too many beverages in our pursuit of celebration this past weekend... more than once..JPG) Therefore, I find myself sitting at home on a Friday evening, wondering how I can follow this up without a repeat performance of the mind-erasing festivities of the previous weekend. And this does not include a viewing of the Sex and the City movie... I'd rather not be trampled this weekend, especially with all the ladies sure to be sporting their pointiest Manolo Blahniks or Jimmy Choos. No, this guy will attempt to retain his man-bundle and pursue a little more casual entertainment. And despite the threat, yet again, of rain tomorrow, I'm encouraged by the overall trend toward a warmer, drier season in the near future. So what does this non-holiday, normal-length weekend have in store for us? Let's take a look...
So there. Plenty to keep us all occupied during this weekend without (necessarily) resulting in late night shenanigans and early morning hangovers. Daytime drinking gets that all out of the way before midnight... Plus you get those great half-tans that all the kids are sporting these days. So don't wait until it's dark to start your night out this weekend. Amateurs! Instead, join me on the grass and enjoy a few frosty beverages to fight the heat. Assuming it's hot, you know. Enjoy the weekend! Mark Burlet |
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Seems there's a bit of a buzz around town these days. You can't turn a corner without hearing some addict complaining about the rising street value of petrol or gasoline or "go juice"... whatever the kids are calling it these days. Personally, I've been weaning myself off the stuff the past few years... what with my six-block commute to work and my switch to this new, softer form of travel, known in the 'hood as "walking" or "foot-rocking". This stuff is also addictive, which can make it difficult to visit friends in other areas of town, but it gets the job done. And if I need to branch out beyond the 30-minute radius of Canton and Fells Point, I can take a shot of this "gasoline" and drive on over. It's cool... I can stop anytime...
Here are just a few options for those willing to shake that monkey off their back and stay in town for the holiday weekend. It helps that there is alcohol involved. They say that when trying to kick an addiction, just replace it with another one! And this one is legal and taxable, so not only do you run little risk of incarceration (unless you mix the two), but you're contributing valuable tax dollars to the slowly failing economy. So get out there and spend those "stimulus package" dollars, people! DO IT FOR AMERICA!
So that's just a sampling of this weekend's fun and games. As you can see, there's plenty to keep your butts in town and off the sauce, at least until that summer vacation at the beach. But don't blame me if the temptation becomes too strong to visit Aunt Lydia down in Norfolk. I know... I can't resist her boysenberry pies either... Hope to see you in town this weekend! Be strong. Mark Burlet |
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However, this weekend offers some additional challenges to the gas addict. Three-days off work. If you're a recovering addict, or simply a family looking to visit relatives, there is no greater opportunity for a relapse than the long weekend. And considering that Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend are two of the most driver-full times of the year, it may be tough to resist the temptation... Everyone else is doing it. Why can't I? But with the high price of go juice these days, there's got to be a better way to enjoy the time off without taking out a second mortgage or selling your roommate's new plasma TV. This is where I come in...
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I know this won't come as much of a surprise, but I really enjoy drinking. Not in a "get me another Pabst and a shot of Jack, woman, and where the hell is my dinner" kinda way, but more in a "let's come together with friends to celebrate the beautiful weather and/or special occasion" kinda way. For this reason, you will not find me drinking at home, alone, in the dark, with tears falling slowly into my whiskey. However, you will often find me drinking on weekends, outdoors and in public, whenever the outdoors will allow. And this weekend hopes to offer several such opportunities, assuming the weather holds up. That's a big assumption this spring, but we'll have to go with it for now... Anyway, here are three great events this weekend that offer food, drinking, live music and more!
2. Maryland Beer and Foodfest (Saturday and Sunday, Aberdeen)
So there we have plenty to keep us occupied this weekend. But don't blame me if it rains and you're stuck sitting under an awning somewhere, praying the water doesn't drip into your beer. We've all got burdens to bear... Have a great weekend! |
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Talk about a beautiful day in Baltimore! I know I’m not the only one who appreciates the end of winter, but we drinkers have different motivations than most. Now, as a fan of dark beer, I don’t dread the winter months as much as some. With winter comes a delicious array of bocks and porters and rich, coffee-hinted stouts. But there also comes the difficult task of getting up the will to leave one’s house when it’s 25 degrees out. At best, we’re talking 40 degrees and only the slightest of winds, which can still be a deterrent to a Southern boy like myself. So it’s not that the drinks change so much, because I can appreciate a wide variety of beverages suited to the weather and the occasion, but the opportunities do seem to blossom along with the cherry trees. But there is one aspect that begins only in the spring and continues through summer and into fall… I am talking about the outdoor drinking that starts… now! Below are some of the best outdoor drinking festivities in the coming months. Friday Happy Hour at Bay Café: http://www.baycafeusa.com/events.php Yes, I know it’s not really Jamaica, but it’s outside, there’s live music, 2-for-1 drinks and a complimentary buffet. If the weather’s nice, it’s worth an evening of your time. Afternoon games at Camden Yards: http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=bal The hot dog and nachos with a bunch of drunken friends at a day game actually does overcome the expensive beer, empty stadiums and poor excuse for baseball that the Yard is known for… Sunday brunch at Little Havana: http://www.littlehavanas.com/brunch.html It can get crowded, but 15 bucks for brunch AND all you can drink mimosas and bloody maries is a no-brainer. Get there early for seats on the deck! First Thursday concerts in Mount Vernon (starting Thursday, May 1st): http://wtmd.org/1sthtur/2008/May1st2008JukeboxtheGhost.htm Live outdoor music fest the first Thursday of every month (until it gets cold again) brought to you by the independent station, WTMD, with beer and wine for sale in booths along the park. Bring your dog! Preakness Stakes at Pimlico (Saturday, May 17th): http://www.preakness.com/Ticket+Sales/Infield.htm For many, this means the dreaded infield. Strictly for the young at heart… and those who can handle heat, mud and sloppy drunks. Everyone should experience this once. (I, for one, may try the grandstand this year. Not wussing out! Just a change of pace. Heh.) The (hopefully) ever-present crab feast: Just enough beer and Old Bay to clear the sinuses and dull the senses (or is that the other way around?). Will someone I know PLEASE have one of these soon? Otherwise, I may be forced to throw a good ole-fashioned N’awlins-style crawfish boil… and y’all don’t want to see me after that! Anyway... there will be obviously be many more opportunities for outdoor drinking and carousing as the weather continues to get warmer. I could go on and on… and definitely expect me to bring these up on a regular basis as they get closer. For now, just take solace in the fact that the winter is over, and festival season is upon us. Hope to see you out there!
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Mark Burlet frequents the Baltimore bar scene with a mission of uncovering all that is new and unique. From a grasshopper martini to a billowing microbrew, Mark will sacrifice his stomach and senses all in the name of research. Night crawlers beware.
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