About Baltimore's Charles Village

Got Milk?

Has your grocery bill been going up? Have you been wondering who has been eating and drinking all of the food?

It looks like this thirsty young feline has already downed more than a half a gallon of milk.

Save some for the rest of us.

Allow me to share with you a bit of Baltimore neighborhood eye candy; here are some wonderful examples of Charles Village “Painted Ladies” that I captured on my walk this morning.

Charles Village is a dynamic neighborhood in Baltimore City that is home to Johns Hopkins University. Many of the streets are graced with Victorian row homes.

The Charles Village Community Foundation is sponsoring a 2011 “Painted Ladies” of Greater Charles Village House Painting Contest. The contest is open to property owners, residents, landlords, or business owners. Eligible structures must be located within the Charles Village Community Benefits District. For a map of the district go to www.charlesvillage.org

Only external paint projects that contain three or more building surface colors will be considered. Ace Hardware in nearby Waverly is offering a 10% discount on Ace Brand Paint. The Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative will fund up to $250 of paint and painting supplies (restrictions apply).

Deadline to enter the contest is 5pm November 15, 2011. Cash prizewinners will be announced in December. 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd prizes will be awarded for Best Facelift, Best Door and Trim, Best “Show Piece House”, Best Healthy Neighborhood Home, Best Business Entry, and Best Project Documentary Video.

Charles Village has a Berkeley California vibe and is home to both colorful homes and colorful personalities. Grand Victorian homes are available beginning at $250,000 and up. Neighborhood amenities include: The Baltimore Museum of Art (which is free admission!) Wyman Park, Union Memorial Hospital, and Johns Hopkins University. You’ll enjoy being able to walk to coffee shops, bookstores, and restaurants. Charles Village proves to be a stable on-going investment as there is a continual need for rental properties to support the Johns Hopkins University community.

If you’d like to take a closer look at Charles Village real estate, I’d be delighted to be your guide.

UPDATE! Charles Village Prices are now starting as low as $160,000, and there are tons of Baltimore City Homeownership Incentives that may benefit you. I've got all the details - get in touch!

Maryland: Tuition Free STEM Courses from JHU For Teachers

The Johns Hopkins University's Engineering for Professionals, which is part of the University's Whiting School of Engineering has implemented a program which is aimed at reversing a trend among our youth whereby they are performing far behind other countries in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

Statistics from the National Center for Education Statistics, show that 15 year old students from the US placed in the bottom third, and in the bottom quarter, respectively, for science and math literacy among 30 developed countries.

The program at JHU will allow for a limited number of STEM teachers from public and private schools in Maryland to take tuition free courses in STEM related subjects at the University.

Johns Hopkins Engineering for Professionals Provides Maryland STEM Teachers with Free Graduate Education

Maryland: Internships: Employers and Students: Check It Out

One of the concerns that employers have when looking for new young college graduate employees is the set of skills and knowledge which the potential new employees bring to the job. Frequently there is a mismatch of talent needed with the the talent available or a lack of knowledge as to what the employers are seeking. In spite of the many college graduates each year, this leaves many employers with insufficient options from which to choose.

The concern exists from the other end as well. All too many students graduate from college and have difficulty matching their educational experience with the needed skills of the employers.

The employers are ready and willing to grow and want to hire people to make this growth a reality. Obviously, the students who have just spent several years in college trying to prepare for the work force are eager to jump in and use their abilities to help these companies grow.

However, the slight mismatch of what is needed versus what is provided stalls the advancement of these young people's careers and the growth of these companies.

Internships

A method to remedy this situation is the internship. This is a method whereby the employer can bring on a potential future employee while that person is still a student. The student can work directly with the employer and learn exactly what happens within the real world of a real employer. The course work will make more sense as it can be understood relative to real life situations. Also, the students can better select the courses which will best fit into their preferred fields.

Upon graduation, the employers will have more options from which to choose, new hires who will be able to fit right into their business needs. New graduates will be able to more quickly make the transition from school to work. This will all lead to a more productive and growing economy.

Better Schools

The more internships that are developed and used, the more knowledgeable the schools themselves will be as regards what should be taught in order to prepare students for the work force. Curricula will be tailored based upon the input from these internships.

Maryland Internship Information Center

In the State of Maryland, the value of the internship is recognized such that they have created a web site location where both employers and students can register. The employers can explain the types of internship programs which they have. The students can see which programs are in line with their intended careers. Assistance is provided in developing these internship programs.

Check it out, at the link below, and help your company, your career, the state, and the country to move forward.

Welcome to the BRAC Internship Information Center

If you don't live in Baltimore's Charles Village, you may be missing out on some great eats.

City Paper just released a dining guide yesterday, so I suggest you grab a copy of the free paper (located on just about every Baltimore block it seems) before the week is out.

Okay, here's where Staging Girl goes to grub:

THAI RESTAURANT
3316 Greenmount Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 889-6003

This establishment really needs no introduction, as it's got Zagat raters and a slew of local press drooling already. This namesake (literally) Thai eatery is really in the Waverly neighborhood if you ask me, but it was featured in the dining guides Charles Village listing, so it's getting dropped in this review! (Although their online review says it's in Waverly...but I'll just chalk it up to the fact Baltimore has such a multitude neighborhoods). Yummy curry, relaxing jasmine tea, chicken satay, all served up in a bright space with just as much Thai art as reviews and awards adorning the walls. Impeccable service and food make this a save staple for your dining-out arsenal.

JOES SQUARED PIZZA AND BAR
133 W. North Ave. Baltimore, MD 21201
(410) 545 0444
Website

Well, this would have gotten a gold star but the last time I dined there I had an unpleasant experience. Typically a good time, their staple is flavorful pizzas like the BBQ Chicken or Chicken, Corn and Apple. The reason this is getting a bad mark is because when a girlfriend and I went last, there was a hair embedded in a slice. These things happen, so I wasn't ready to write them off just yet (although my appetite disappeared). I alerted our server who instead of apologizing proceeded to tell us how no one in the kitchen had that color hair and how it just wasn't possible! Sure, my girlfriend and I both have black hair, but the texture of this hair was scruffy and it was UNDER the layer of cheese. Plus, the guy brought us our food had a long, unruly scruffy black beard! The server took a measly $5 off our ticket and continued to tell us how it just wasn't possible. They do have live music most nights and a full bar (if that's your bag), so maybe if you're not eating, you'll have a better time. Note to Joes2: Customer service is as imperative as taste.

PAPER MOON DINER
227 W 29th St
Baltimore, MD 21211
(410) 889-4444
Website

Truly a fun place to be, with walls and ceilings adorned with toys and comic heroes. Diverse menu includes breakfast, sandwiches, blue plates and what a staffer called "yummy goodness" - a to-die-for dessert menu. Everything I've sampled receives the Staging Girl seal of approval. Best thing about Paper Moon is it's 24 hour status. Real food, all the time.

TAMBERS
3327 Saint Paul St
Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 243-5777
Website

Probably one of the most unique concepts I've seen in a restaurant in all my worldly travels: A 50's style diner with both Americana and Indian fare! I'm a sucker for the turkey Reuben and apple pie. Friends who are Indian (or just Indian food aficionados) echo that the Indian food is milder than most, so if you're looking for the mouth-burn, it may not be for you. Try the onion naan (ask for the 3 dipping sauces) and lamb shahi korma with it's special mild savory sauce.

Looking for a Baltimore/DC Stager? Staging Girl to the rescue! Visit SimplyStage and get ready to take down that "For Sale" sign.