Followers of the best things in Baltimore will take note that August marks Baltimore Magazine's Best Of issue (on newsstands now). Congratulations go to Hampden-area business winners this year, including Union Craft Brewing, Waverly Brewing Co., Souvlaki, Golden West Cafe, In Watermelon Suger, Hunting Ground, Ma Petite Shoe, Atomic Books, Bazaar, Trohv, Smoke + Mirrors, and Milk and Ice Vintage.Stay tuned, next month is Baltimore City Paper's Best Of issue. And then after that, I'm just going to start randomly awarding awards for things like "Best Dumb Thing Written About Hampden," "Snarkiest Comment Made About Hampden" and "Most Offensive Comment Made By A Hampdenite On Social Media," to name just a few. As this is most likely coming as a surprise to my editor, there's a very good chance this is the last you'll hear of my "Randomly Awarding Awards About Hampden" column.Thursday, Aug. 11, there's a release party for the new novella "Beneath The Remains Release Party" by Terence Hannum at Atomic Books' Eightbar (3620 Falls Road). "Beneath The Remains" is American noir set in Florida's death metal scene. Local author Hannum will be playing music that ties in with the book.Do you like rosé? I mean, like, really like rosé? Like could you drink rosé for days? Then you'll want to be at the Wine Source (3601 Elm Ave.) on Saturday, Aug. 13 from 1-4 for their Days of Rosé tasting.On Aug. 17, make your destination Play Cafe (3400 Chestnut Ave.) for Destination Doug, from 10 to 10:30 a.m. It's a new storytime for tots up to 4 years old.On Aug. 22, Hampden's Chef Egg will hatch his new children's book, "The Kitchen Comes To Life," at the Play Cafe at 10:30 a.m. Books will be available for signing, and Chef Egg will be able to field cooking questions for parents and kids.Aug. 27 marks the return of Schw-ingo! at Make Studio (Schwing Art Center, 3326 Keswick Road) at 5 p.m. It's bingo, Make Studio style, with art prizes from local artists. DJ Redlocks will spin the music, Slainte On Wheels will park with food, and Lou Catelli will call the shots. All proceeds go to benefit Make Studio programming. Tickets are required. For more info, call 443-627-3502.And mark your calendars, Hampdenfest is about a month away, Saturday, Sept. 17 to be exact. The three stage lineup includes local bands like Post Pink, Gateway To Hell, PLRLS, Raindeer, the game show Expert of Nothing, headliner T.T. The Artist and a special guest to be announced in late August. Looking to be a vendor or enter the toilet races? Go to hampdenfest.com before time runs out. We'll have more updates in the early September edition of this column.