Federal Hill

Local Screenings

007 makes a 'Grand' showing

For more than 90 years, until it was demolished on a snowy January day in 2004 to make way for the Enoch Pratt Free Library's Southeast Anchor branch, the glorious Grand Theatre stood on Conkling Street as the pride of Highlandtown. With its Saturday Afternoon at the Grand film series, that same library, at 3601 Eastern Ave., seeks to invoke at least the spirit of those bygone days, with a movie, refreshments and some other Grand-ian touches. Tomorrow, the series will feature Sean Connery as James Bond in 1963's From Russia With Love. Showtime is 1 p.m., and admission is free. Information: 410-396-1580 or prattlibrary.org/calendar.

Local Screenings

'Father of soul' on stage, film

The great Ray Charles stars as himself in 1964's Blues for Lovers, spending half his time singing, the other half helping a sightless boy get to Paris for an operation. The movie, being shown at 7 p.m. Wednesday as part of the summer film series at An die Musik, 409 N. Charles St., was directed by Paul Henreid, best known for playing Victor Laszlo in Casablanca. The program includes some appearances by Charles on The Dick Cavett Show. Tickets are $8. Information: 410-385-2638 or andiemusiklive.com

Local Screenings

Gonzo documentary at the Charles

The Spring 2008 Cinema Sundays series wraps this weekend with documentary filmmaker Alex Gibney's Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson. Former Cinema Sundays programmer Gabe Wardell, now executive director of Independent Media Artists of Georgia, Etc. (IMAGE), and organizers of the annual Atlanta Film Festival will be on hand for the introduction and post-film discussion. Showtime at the Charles, 1711 N. Charles St., is 10:35 a.m. Sunday, preceded by 50 minutes of no-additional-charge coffee and bagels. Tickets are $15. Information: 410-727-3456 or cinemasundays.com.

Facing fear in Druid Heights

Baltimore police commanders met yesterday with a handful of frightened residents from the Druid Heights neighborhood in West Baltimore to ease concerns over two recent fatal shootings that occurred within days on the same city block.

Jean Marbella: Killings nearby seem unreal

I live in one of those good neighborhoods, where what obviously was the sound of gunshots - sharp, rapid-fire bursts - woke me around 2:40 Sunday morning, and yet still I thought: firecrackers.

2 neighborhoods, 5 dead

The grief on Bloom Street was scrawled on the pavement, in white and green and red paint. Friends of Brian Goodwyn, whom they called "Six-9," had left for him the kind of street memorial that is all too common in inner-city Baltimore: plaintive notes of mourning spray-painted on the street, empty bottles of liquor used to toast him, and T-shirts with his name and photo tied to two light poles.

City hit by 5 killings over weekend

Dr. Stephen Baylin first suspected something was amiss in his Federal Hill neighborhood yesterday morning when he opened his door but did not see his Sunday newspapers.

Victim in fatal Federal Hill shooting identified by police

A man who was shot in a car, dumped on a street in Federal Hill and later died at a hospital Friday night was identified yesterday as Keyva Bluitt, 35, of North Baltimore's Waverly neighborhood, according to a city police spokesman.

Eileen Ambrose: Stretching your dollars

To save a buck, would you separate two-ply toilet paper to create two rolls out of one?

Man, 35, shot fatally in a car, tossed to street

A 35-year-old man was fatally shot in a car in Federal Hill about 9:15 p.m. yesterday and dumped on the road as the car sped away, city police said.

Local Screenings

Say goodnight to suspense

Baltimore's reigning best film series, the Charles Theatre's six-month Alfred Hitchcock retrospective, wraps this weekend with 1955's To Catch a Thief, starring Cary Grant as John Robie, a reformed cat burglar who's being framed for a bunch of high-society jewel thefts in Monaco. Grace Kelly, in the film that introduced her to the tiny kingdom that would soon call her queen, is the stunning socialite who can't help but fall for his charms, even if she's not sure he can be trusted. Showtime is noon tomorrow at the Charles, 1711 N. Charles St., with encore screenings set for 7 p.m. Monday and 9 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are $6 tomorrow, $8 other times. Information: 410-727-3456 or thecharles.com.

Local Screenings

Hill alive with 'Sound of Music'

Flicks From the Hill, a free outdoor film series sponsored by the American Visionary Art Museum, opens Thursday with Robert Wise's 1965 adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer and a cast of youngsters. For a time, the film was the biggest cinematic moneymaker of all time. Showtime is 9 p.m., and films are viewable from Federal Hill. On film nights, admission to the museum, at 800 Key Highway, is free from 5 p.m.-9 p.m. The series runs weekly through Aug. 7. Information: avam.org or 410-244-1900.

Sam Sessa on Nightlife: Right up your alley: Mother's in Federal Hill expands

On any given Friday or Saturday night for the past few years, one thing was certain: Mother's Federal Hill Grille would be packed with people.

Hail to the daughter

Mrs. Hager? Federal Hill is whispering about you, primping for you, on the edge of its collective stoop -- all for you.

Woman charged in stabbings

A 21-year-old woman was charged yesterday with several counts of attempted murder and assault in connection with a brawl that occurred early Sunday in Federal Hill in which three people were stabbed during an argument over an apparent traffic accident, according to police documents filed in court.

Restaurants struggle to hold on

A downtrodden Brent Ludtke stared at his nearly empty South Baltimore restaurant yesterday afternoon and lamented the recent drop in business.

Leads sought in Federal Hill melee

Baltimore police said yesterday that they are seeking witnesses to a melee early Sunday in Federal Hill that left three people stabbed, including a man who authorities said tried to break up the fight and is still recovering at Maryland Shock Trauma Center.

Art takes a rain check

A sprinkle of raindrops wasn't a problem. Not at first, anyway.

Agreement reached on liquor license

The owner of Sky Lounge/Tango Tapas will sell his liquor license after reaching an agreement with several Federal Hill residents who say the establishment turns into a rowdy after-hours dance club that disrupts the community.

Glimpsed

Abby Ingle

Abby Ingle, a footwear buyer for Baltimore's own sports-apparel giant Under Armour, knows how to go toe to toe with fashion. Shoes are one of her personal fashion weaknesses, but not the kind she buys for business. This 26-year-old Elkridge resident keeps herself sleek and chic in ballet flats and heels, along with jeans for every occasion.

Watchdog

In stadium event area, sign of confusion leads to ticket

THE PROBLEM // Parking rules around Baltimore's stadiums are so confusing that even parking enforcement agents sometimes interpret them incorrectly.

Restaurant Review

There's plenty to like at Junior's Wine Bar in Federal Hill

It seemed to take forever. And when Junior's Wine Bar finally did open, I don't think anyone expected the renovation to be quite so impressive. The storefront that was once Vespa Cafe and Wine Bar is now merely the first dining room. It still has the stone tile floors of the original; and while it looks quite different -- the tables are less crowded together, for one thing -- the decor is also contemporary, the room done in warm colors with eye-catching paintings on the walls. The tables are copper-topped or marble.

Going un-green for the holiday

If the author of the holiday carol "O Tannenbaum" were to see Ted Frankel's Christmas tree, he'd surely be baffled.

Photos from beyond the blindfolds

With blindfolds over their eyes and cameras in their hands, several dozen people fanned out around Federal Hill on Saturday with a guide and a mission to document their surroundings.

Glimpsed

Spencer Horsman

Are we seeing a rebel without a cause right here in Federal Hill? Or is it just an illusion?

Bizarre bazaars

"Cute" is a seasonal verity, particularly at holiday bazaars. What's a Christmas craft fair without precious pine cone rings, crocheted tea cozies or knitted kittens wreathed in boughs of holly?

Sandra Magsamen, artist

Sandra Magsamen is an artist, mom and the creator of the Messages From The Heart brand of gifts and decorations. For over 20 years she has taught others how to live with heart, and she is the author of Living Artfully, which shares how to use creativity, imagination, and play to better express ourselves, create meaningful moments, and connect more closely with the people we love. Her work will be on display this month at La Terra Gallery, 4001 Falls Road. She lives in Glen Arm with husband, Mark Barry, who is also an artist, and their 19-year-old daughter, Hannah.

Glimpsed

Marion Lambropoulos

On summer days, many women are looking for an outfit that is equal parts sporty and sexy.