In the new issue, Van Smith chronicles the Baltimore-based multi-million dollar marijuana distribution ring that swept up the Sonar nightclub and 16 defendants: Eight have pleased guilty, four are fugitives, and four go to trial on September 11th.
In Mobtown Beat, we break down David Simon's claim that to avoid taking on tough cases, State's Attorney Gregg Bernstein isn't arresting as many potential murderers as his predecessors--it's true, we find, but Bernstein says it doesn't matter. We've also got a story on Kenneth Kohler--who made headlines for emigrating to Israel under the right-of-return law and claiming citizenship for his non-Jewish patner Bayardo Alvarez as his spouse--who was charged in an extensive mortgage fraud scheme in southeast Baltimore. Also, short pieces on Sparrows Point steel mill's potential liquidation, the city council's watered down audit bill, and bakery magnate John Paterakis's attempts to continue to claim Harbor East as an impoverished "Empowerment Zone" in order to earn lucrative tax breaks.
We've got a fantastic Homelesscide column by Dave Cluster, a homeless man writing about his experiences as a panhandler, including the time he was standing at the North Avenue exit of the JFX and a potentially dangerous situation ended in a $400 donation. Chris Wong of Charm City Networks did another fantastic InfoArt, this one visualizing the correlation between school achievement (based on MSA scores) and income level. Ed Ericson takes a ride on a World War II B-17 during its layover in Baltimore. And in this week's City Folk, Baynard Woods spends time with Baltimore's oldest hipster, Bowtie Bob.
In our arts section, we've got stories on Cris Jacobs, formerly of The Bridge, and Justin Townes Earle in advance of their appearances at Hot August Blues this week. Evan Serpick has a Q and A with Band of Horses frontman Ben Bridwell, in advance of the band's show with My Morning Jacket at Merriweather Pavilion. Erin Gleeson reviews Miranda July's book, It Chooses You, and Geoffrey Himes reviews the play Passport at LOF/T. Baynard Woods offers some thoughts on Chaplin's Modern Times, in revival at the Charles Theater, and Mary Zajac reviews Canton gastropub Of Love and Regret.
And don't forget the Baltimore City Power Rankings, Everyday I'm Hustlin', City That Drinks, Murder Ink, and of course, a new edition of our brand new sports column, Spitballin', by Jim Meyer.
