tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16486032674948784122012-02-16T14:54:22.378-05:00Each week I profile one of the everyday heroes who put the charm in Charm City. In between profiles will be pics and reflections on living in Baltimore.Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.comBlogger701100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-48973191339544698772011-11-30T19:38:00.001-05:002011-11-30T19:52:07.008-05:00

I'm looking forward to this Friday's Bmore Historic "unconference," a daylong, participant-led series of conversations about "public history, historic preservation, and community development." I've proposed a session on neighborhood vibrancy, just as a way of getting people's thoughts about what that means and how to make it happen. Other proposed sessions include "Instant Living History," "

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-79744848281114193942011-08-07T12:53:00.004-04:002011-08-07T13:11:57.498-04:00

Legend has it that sometime in the 1800's, Baltimore's ladies of the evening painted red stars on the sidewalks in Fells Point, as a means of leading visiting sailors to the dens of ill repute.While I cannot affirm the veracity of this story (a cursory Google search yielded attestations that were not exactly scholarly), I've always been charmed by the idea of sailors - newly arrived in port with

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-54039231843140267682011-06-09T12:38:00.011-04:002011-06-09T13:22:05.253-04:00

The following is a post I wrote for the Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers blog. Since that site is viewable to members only, I'm reposting the entry here, with permission.Full disclosure: I participated in an early discussion about identifying IBB presenters. ***************************Over 75 people crowded the Windup Space in the Station North Arts District on May 26 to listen to 15

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-6726642510816743282011-05-25T18:22:00.024-04:002011-05-25T23:58:01.666-04:00

Sometime back in late 2009, when I was newly divorced and adjusting to unfamiliar bachelorhood, I was whining to my friend Carly about my need to find something to do with my free time that didn't involve: a) drinking myself into a stupor; or b) re-watching the entire series run of Battlestar Galactica in my underwear while eating baked beans directly out of the saucepan.She suggested, somewhat

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-55738860648177276022011-04-19T10:53:00.013-04:002011-04-25T09:56:16.955-04:00

An oft-told story about William Donald Schaefer, who died yesterday at age 89, recounts how, as mayor, he would come banging into the City Hall in a rage about an abandoned car he passed on his way to work, or pothole that needed fixing. He would harangue his beleaguered staff, huff into his office, slam the door, and by close of business that afternoon, the car would be gone, the pothole

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-15345308465755327722011-04-17T21:04:00.004-04:002011-04-17T21:16:08.158-04:00

Red Canoe

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-81011169160176308022011-04-08T08:44:00.021-04:002011-04-08T14:08:43.580-04:00

Filmmaker and volunteer instructor Josef Sawyer addresses the audience.Arts, community, violence, conflict resolution, history, memory: these were some of the topics explored in three short films by 10 young artists whose work was screened yesterday afternoon at the Walbrook Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library.The films were part of the Walbrook Project, a student filmmaking initiative created

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-19390550358363043002011-03-31T12:35:00.002-04:002011-03-31T13:03:45.355-04:00

Sharp-eyed readers -- or at least those who read past the first couple of sentences of each post -- will notice a new widget on the sidebar.As an enthusiastic supporter of NewsTrust Baltimore, I am proud to direct Unsung Baltimore viewers to this bold and much-needed experiment to engage local residents in media literacy and criticism.Simply put, NT Baltimore invites everyone with web access to

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-87098548900747042902011-03-29T16:06:00.011-04:002011-03-29T17:19:20.693-04:00

The Maryland General Assembly is entering the home stretch of the 2011 legislative session. Right now your elected officials are making some tough fiscal decisions, trying to decide what types of public funding should be cut in order to meet our state's constitutionally mandated balanced budget requirement.One of the many items on the chopping block is the Arts Preservation Fund, which provides

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-80201535825800371352011-03-18T16:41:00.014-04:002011-03-18T21:42:52.224-04:00

Scotty Walsh speaks prior to the mural unveilingWhen Scotty Walsh found out that art had been cut from the curriculum at Westport Academy, a k-8 public school in a working class neighborhood in South Baltimore, he decided to do something about it.A street performer, accomplished vaudevillian, and the visual arts specialist for Port Discovery Children's Museum, Walsh partnered with Westport

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-76709730531398542932011-03-15T16:24:00.004-04:002011-03-15T16:47:19.251-04:00

Here's something cool that was brought to my attention by my friends over at Healthcare for the Homeless.If you or your organization is interested in learning more about homelessness from people who have direct experience with it, contact the Faces of Homelessness Speakers’ Bureau – Baltimore.###From: Lindsay Callahan Vanderheiden, Healthcare for the HomelessFounded by the National Coalition for

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-35711611167899057112011-03-14T12:49:00.007-04:002011-03-14T13:30:45.621-04:00

For those of you playing along at home, I thought it worth mentioning that within the past six months, Unsung Baltimorean Lily Susskind:1) not only received an Ignite Baltimore Ignition Grant; AND 2) won a Baker Foundation "b" award; BUT ALSO3) was featured on the cover of last week's B Daily as one of "10 Baltimoreans to Watch Under 30."Can I claim an Unsung Baltimore bump? Ah, why the heck not.

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-22230683238511285052011-03-09T20:08:00.019-05:002011-03-12T23:30:49.627-05:00

Artistic portrayals of suburban alienation – even those that involve reanimated corpses - are not exactly new. Depictions of zombies as metaphors for social disconnection, from ‘Dawn of the Dead’ to ‘Shaun of the Dead,’ comprise a sub-genre unto themselves. However, few dramatic productions to date have mapped the intersection of narcotized suburbanites, disaffected teens, tuned-out internet

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-86382412493760455972011-03-07T20:57:00.015-05:002011-03-14T13:09:47.094-04:00

Kalima Young’s work is all about making connections. Whether in her former role as director of an adolescent AIDS program, or in her current ones as filmmaker, college professor, and education advocate, Young delights in connecting people and causes that typically haven’t been brought together before.Young herself puts it more succinctly: “I love getting people together to make fun shit happen,”

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-58645745179776138232011-03-05T01:51:00.003-05:002011-03-05T01:55:39.412-05:00

Simone Christian is an Antiguan-born graphic designer specializing in print, photography, and multimedia. She also happens to be my coworker.

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-67333546920444467412011-03-04T19:30:00.006-05:002011-03-05T01:09:14.062-05:00

If you missed Dance Round Robin last weekend, I feel sorry for you. It was an exhilarating, innovative, and occasionally naked evening of modern dance, from the Fly-Girls-on-crack awesomeness of the Effervescent Collective to the death-defying head spins of the International Flow Syndicate.I didn't do a head count, but it seemed like well over 200 people crammed themselves into the Lumberhaus

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-22866950817086658872011-02-28T16:55:00.005-05:002011-02-28T17:57:05.144-05:00

Last Monday, nearly 30 people gathered in the offices of the Baltimore Community Foundation to talk about issues of race and inclusiveness and how they pertain to Baltimore's emerging arts, culture, and tech sectors. The conversation was a follow up to a session at January's Create Baltimore event.Attendees were mostly in their 20s and 30s, and included visual artists, theater folks, business

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-77154473097576380812011-02-25T10:34:00.005-05:002011-02-25T10:50:45.364-05:00

Baltimore has a growing, dynamic dance scene, and past Unsung Baltimorean Lily Susskind is one of its poobahs. This weekend, she and choreographer Caroline Marcantoni will showcase some of the face-meltingest modern, experimental, and hip-hop dance moves this city has to offer.What: The Baltimore Dance Round Robin When: Feb. 26 - 27. Doors at 9 pm, show at 10Where: Lumberhaus, 1801 Falls Rd.,

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-85965727738833733512011-02-23T16:54:00.004-05:002011-02-24T00:23:17.988-05:00

One of the things that distinguishes Baltimore from larger cities like New York or Philadelphia is its relative lack of auto- and pedestrian traffic in the midtown during the day. After the bustle of rush hour subsides and commuters are safely esconced in offices, stores, and coffee shops, street activity subsides dramatically until lunchtime.The quiet can be downright eerie, especially if you

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-73422970317708942742011-02-22T17:55:00.002-05:002011-02-22T18:02:32.781-05:00

Visions of Heaven and Hell by Grace Hartigan. Brown Center Atrium, MICA.

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-45206489179360640622011-02-22T17:49:00.003-05:002011-02-22T17:55:01.243-05:00

Zeke's.

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-44861042427093634022011-01-24T18:45:00.001-05:002011-01-24T18:47:28.731-05:00

Outside the men's room in the law offices of Venable LLP

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-54442372827865363292011-01-24T16:00:00.004-05:002011-01-24T18:28:55.574-05:00

Some 15 years ago, I was walking in Fells Point and I passed a soda vending machine outside what used to be the old Save-a-Lot grocery store. (There's some new ghetto mart there now, but I forget its name.) The machine contained not Coke, not Pepsi, not Dr. Pepper, not Mountain Dew...not even Diet Rite. Instead, it unashamedly vended Bubba Cola, the Olympia lager of soft drinks, along with its

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-37078003530646153542011-01-24T15:03:00.000-05:002011-01-25T14:54:14.152-05:00

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-36636884253667293682011-01-07T18:49:00.043-05:002011-01-11T22:36:45.205-05:00

In December 2009, I received an e-mail from Jacqueline Robarge, director of Power Inside (PI), which provides services and outreach to women struggling with the overlapping challenges of poverty, incarceration, violence, and life on the street. A PI client had just managed to secure permanent housing, employment, and custody of her young daughter, and the staff needed help moving her into her new

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-39381611866073992982011-01-07T16:23:00.006-05:002011-01-08T08:30:24.910-05:00

Coming up: a new post about how racial, ethnic, and class segregation impacts Baltimore's emerging arts scene; and a profile of one of my local heroes, Power Inside director Jacqueline Robarge.First, though, here's a list of some cool stuff going on around town this month.Amplify Baltimore, a symposium on who we are and where we're going, with a focus on "political literacy and public safety."

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-14521170177420753392011-01-04T15:54:00.003-05:002011-01-04T16:40:06.796-05:00

The upcoming Create Baltimore event has got me thinking about a couple of things related to arts and culture in the city. One of them involves the economic sustainability of local grassroots art and cultural happenings.As I've witnessed (with delight) the growth of Baltimore's emerging arts and culture scene, I've noticed that most of the consumers of DIY visual and performing arts in this city

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-89316701990484601532011-01-03T15:36:00.008-05:002011-01-04T15:58:01.663-05:00

What: CreateBaltimore is a participant-created conference for artists, cultural workers, entrepreneurs, and technologists interested in building a creative community in Baltimore.Where: MICA - Maryland Institute College of Art - Falvey Hall - The Brown Center - 1301 W. Mount Royal Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland.Who: CreateBaltimore is for artists, coders, crafters, curators, designers, entrepreneurs

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-26360161759950073162011-01-03T15:19:00.003-05:002011-01-03T15:33:19.543-05:00

Happy New Year from Unsung Baltimore!I typically don't make new year's resolutions, mostly because I'm a lazy git who enjoys his black coffee and fatty foods and the mention of the word "treadmill" makes me want to hide under the kitchen table and rock back and forth with my knees hugged to my chest.However. This year I'll make an exception - but only for you, so let's keep it between us. I

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-6537384582311109012010-12-24T11:00:00.000-05:002010-12-24T13:15:03.491-05:00

It's not truly Christmas in Baltimore until you've walked amid the holiday lights on 34th Street in Hampden. The kitschy, the heartfelt, and the sublime converge and twinkle in this annual display of megawatt seasonal cheer.

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-2293303792285537982010-12-24T10:53:00.001-05:002010-12-24T19:50:49.618-05:00

The National Coalition for the Homeless has designated the winter solstice, which falls on or around December 21 each year, as National Homeless Memorial Day. On this, the beginning of winter and the longest night of the year, homeless and formerly homeless people gather with activists, advocates, providers, and other supporters to read the names of homeless people who died over the preceding

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-36410858588535553102010-12-23T09:46:00.004-05:002010-12-24T12:59:58.486-05:00

My friends Ray and Rachel represent a perfect cross-section of Caucasian Baltimore: Ashkenazi and Redneck. Chanukah at their house was traditional...for the most part. We spun the dreidel, anted in our gelt, and consumed too many donuts and latkes.The latkes could be enjoyed with a range of toppings, including classic (sour cream and apple sauce), Eastern Shore (anchovies, hot pepper relish,

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-79141198753297401842010-12-23T09:43:00.000-05:002010-12-24T12:58:04.451-05:00

Thanksgiving, as most of us figured out long ago, doesn't truly end until the turkey carcass is stripped clean of the last sinew of flesh and is nothing more than a misshapen blob of gleaming white bone.When I was younger, I would make repeated late-night incursions into the kitchen to peel off strips of bird to make sandwiches, preferably ones that involved a dinner roll, a hunk of cheese, some

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-57391159252679029342010-12-23T09:40:00.002-05:002010-12-23T09:46:44.551-05:00

With my gf in Canada and my mom celebrating the holiday in the OBX this year, I thought my Thanksgiving would be spent alone in my fetid bachelor bad, eating Dinty Moore Beef Stew out of the can while watching softcore on Netflix.Instead I got together with my friend Sonia and we managed to have a fun li'l DIY Turkey Day for two.

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-84022480676457110512010-12-23T09:33:00.003-05:002010-12-23T09:39:58.078-05:00

As crazy and hectic as these past few weeks have been -- work, personal life, etc. -- I'm happy to say that I've been able to get into the holiday spirit with some local festivities this season.So in addition to my earlier pics of the Station North Arts Cafe holiday party and the Washington Monument lighting, I'll be posting images of hollies so jolly that your eggs will nog spontaneously.I have

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-65876646672933744102010-12-20T20:44:00.003-05:002010-12-21T15:05:21.355-05:00

You can check in any time you like. But you have to wear a bag over your head when you leave.

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-58981821534829169312010-12-18T12:24:00.005-05:002010-12-18T12:34:20.859-05:00

Here are a few photos from the Station North Arts Cafe tree lighting. Located on Charles Street just south of North Avenue, this bright, friendly, and cozy little coffee shop is owned by my neighbors, Kevin and Bill.The evening featured free homemade cookies, hot cider, "naughty" coffee, and Ian Hesford, who can apparently play every instrument under the sun...at the same time.SNAC co-owner

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-24919482933241659292010-12-11T10:18:00.004-05:002010-12-11T10:30:03.190-05:00

I'm pleased as punch to report that, as a result of her surpassing awesomeness, previously featured unsung Baltimorean Kenya Asli was selected by Feats, Inc. to receive 50-yard-line tickets to the Dec. 19 Ravens game!In honor of its 25th anniversary, the local events management and marketing firm launched Feats of the Heart, aimed at celebrating the good work done by community residents. So I

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-90357033465439587452010-12-11T09:59:00.005-05:002010-12-11T10:04:27.933-05:00

If you got a hankerin' for bison, get it from the dude in the awesome hat.

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-6198400101883516052010-12-11T09:38:00.004-05:002010-12-24T12:58:42.116-05:00

Some pics from the annual lighting of Baltimore's Washington Monument on Dec. 2.

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-56687831851272945512010-12-11T08:56:00.002-05:002010-12-11T09:15:13.011-05:00

An important part of living in Baltimore, more than any other place in my experience, is learning when it's a good idea to make eye contact with random people you pass on the street...and when it's best to avoid it.Eye contact = ok: older people, especially older women, especially church ladies; business owners and shopkeepers; police officers; dog walkers; young children; adult men who watch

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-31948099486082086772010-12-07T17:29:00.008-05:002010-12-07T18:05:37.779-05:00

Hey, remember dance ninja and featured Unsung Baltimorean Lily Susskind? Well, she's one of over 350 local artists vying for the coveted Baker Artist Awards.Truly one of the coolest things about being in Baltimore, the Baker Awards provides local artists in all media with opportunities to win fame and (modest) fortune. Awards include the Mary Sawyers Baker Prize, which is given out in a juried

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-86293963018717867062010-11-27T11:02:00.005-05:002010-11-27T11:49:17.251-05:00

The 32nd Street Farmers Market: come for the produce, food, and crafts; stay for the people.Pat Cruz of Sister Friend ArtsCybee's Wildflower HoneyDon Gorman of HarmonyThis guy sounds just like Richie Havens.Camille Brown of The Art of AdornmentReid's Orchard applesA yummy turnover from Neopol."Thomas Jefferson" apple from Reid's Orchard. Kickass tee by Pat Cruz.

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-27729338774922897032010-11-26T18:38:00.003-05:002010-11-27T11:02:39.920-05:00

Lily W. Susskind

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-82497808263804590142010-11-24T12:07:00.004-05:002010-11-24T12:16:36.622-05:00

As someone who loves learning and telling the stories of unsung Baltimoreans, I was pleased to see this offer from the event planning firm Feats to give 50-yd-line(!) Ravens tix to local heroes who are changing their communities for the better. Think of someone who inspires you. And who likes football. And then nominate them.

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-79390998643777389402010-11-21T09:17:00.002-05:002010-11-21T09:21:21.470-05:00

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-2647219406731087252010-11-19T15:55:00.024-05:002011-01-07T17:00:19.846-05:00

Getting together with Jesus Rivera for lunch is one of my favorite activities. Read on and you'll find out why. A couple of months ago we met at Arcos Restaurante, a "Mexican oasis" on Broadway in Fells Point. In addition to tasty, authentic food, reasonable prices, good service, and a beautiful atrium/courtyard area, Arcos boasts an awesome portrait of Frida Kahlo. I took a couple of

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-21158320070851301932010-11-17T14:40:00.005-05:002010-11-27T11:02:13.851-05:00

Here.

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-15894191907614432402010-11-09T14:02:00.002-05:002010-11-09T14:05:53.778-05:00

Marie Louise Bistro.

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-949464069230731842010-11-09T13:52:00.002-05:002010-11-27T10:59:50.714-05:00

The Shops at Kenilworth, Towson.

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-46676204693856089202010-11-01T12:11:00.008-04:002010-11-01T23:29:53.450-04:00

The Love Peace Project serve up some sizzling djembe at the festival preceding the Great Halloween Lantern Parade in Patterson Park. The bongo madness starts at 3:54. Enjoy.

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-58750509650188397652010-10-27T15:23:00.003-04:002010-11-27T10:59:30.603-05:00

Can you spot the saxophone player?

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-70459338270079622122010-10-15T14:52:00.010-04:002010-10-15T22:35:31.270-04:00

One of the great pleasures in my life is a good cup of coffee. One of the elements that enhances or detracts from that pleasure is the space in which that cup of coffee is consumed.I stumbled into the Bohemian Coffee House (1821 North Charles St.) a few months ago just before going on stage next door at the Strand Theater for a play reading. I was immediately struck by the Bohemian's quiet

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-69032048587111632532010-10-14T17:20:00.003-04:002010-10-14T17:38:05.333-04:00

A couple of weeks ago I gave a talk at Ignite Baltimore about the importance of everyday altruism. I was privileged to share the stage with some amazing people - including Gin Ferrara, Ellen Cherry, and Douglass Austin - who spoke compellingly and etertainingly about everything from why affirmative action still matters, to why you should go media free for a week each month, to why you should

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-4139756821553213712010-09-30T15:26:00.003-04:002010-09-30T16:38:28.130-04:00

If you weren't able to get a ticket to tonight's Ignite Baltimore, fret not. You can watch it being broadcast live from the Engineer's Club just around the corner. Or, if you don't want to drive or walk through the rain, you can actually watch the whole thing live online from the comfort of your own home beginning at 6:00 EST this evening. Lotsa options.Of the 18 people scheduled to speak, I'm

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-13513198459217029732010-09-30T10:33:00.020-04:002010-09-30T12:43:02.451-04:00

When Lily and I did the photoshoot for this Unsung Baltimore entry, I was worried - just a little, and just for a second - that we were going to get arrested. She stood in the middle of Monument Street at rush hour. She hopped inside a planter. She scaled one of the cornices of Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church. She climbed up into a window of the Peabody Institute to pose. I snapped away with

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-32188748498547826412010-09-12T14:02:00.001-04:002010-09-12T14:21:31.083-04:00

Gary Williams' resume is likely more impressive than yours. It's a heck of a lot more impressive than mine.He graduated from an elite high school and went on to complete a dual major at a boutique liberal arts college. He taught Latin to 7th graders at a prestigious Catholic school. He's traveled through Italy and the American West.Locally, he's been an Americorps volunteer, a community

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-16284971997560376002010-09-03T20:49:00.000-04:002010-09-03T20:49:07.671-04:00

Clipper MillGutierrez StudiosWoodberry

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-78707378325473072832010-08-31T18:31:00.009-04:002010-09-02T09:23:43.947-04:00

Part two of Unsung Baltimore's conversation with Kenya Asli is shorter than the first part, but it's so lovely that it deserves to stand on its own.Below is her stream of consciousness response to the question, 'what do you love about Baltimore?' The accompanying images are photos I've taken of Baltimore over the years. Enjoy.------------------------------I love that I can get to work in 15

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-24215151644003297082010-08-31T10:25:00.009-04:002010-08-31T10:34:59.133-04:00

So apparently I'm not eligible for this because I'm on the review committee. Weak. That, however, shouldn't stop you from submitting your own proposal for a six-month, $1,500 Ignition Grant to fund a cool idea that will make Baltimore a better place. Applications are due 9/17.The Ignition Grant is an initiative of Baltimore Community Foundation and Ignite Baltimore, which gives selected speakers

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-43122249276496896872010-08-29T18:02:00.001-04:002010-09-02T09:22:48.118-04:00

Some people are so fascinating, so much fun to talk to, their life experiences so rich, that it's hard to fit all they have to say into one post. This is the first of a two-part conversation with Kenya Asli, community organizer, lawyer, mom, proud neighborhood girl, and 'Schoolhouse Rock' fan.Rather than spend a lot of time introducing her to you, I invite you to scroll down and meet her for

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-83831380531856793692010-08-18T16:26:00.022-04:002010-08-19T23:21:22.809-04:00

Full disclosure: I've been friends with Todd Elliott and his wife Kathleen for years. Todd and I met in a nonprofit management program in 2003, shortly after he became director of the Adult Literacy and ESOL Program at Greater Homewood Community Corporation. In addition to being a devoted educator, Todd is an enthusiastic outdoorsman, a talented nature photographer, a fan of live theater and the

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-51959598313686652062010-08-05T11:38:00.004-04:002010-08-05T11:41:51.925-04:00

Bright sun shining in the east, storm clouds gathering in the west.

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-72907028210849014352010-08-04T20:44:00.007-04:002011-01-11T18:04:58.430-05:00

I first heard about Paulo Gregory Harris from a mutual friend in the nonprofit world. In one of those moments of "Smalltimore" serendipity, the day after I received the call from my friend, I saw Harris talk about issues of race at the Stoop Storytelling series. His story was funny, touching, and nuanced, and I resolved then to profile him for this blog.In conversation, Paulo projects a quiet

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-39792686272909859172010-08-01T11:49:00.004-04:002010-08-01T11:57:24.591-04:00

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-76046156912076445712010-07-31T12:04:00.007-04:002010-07-31T12:32:59.610-04:00

Graffito above the urinal in the men's room of the Golden West Cafe in Hampden.The text is the Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo, literally "Eternal Ten-Verse Kannon Sutra." Kannon, or Kanzeon, is the Japanese name for Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. This prayer is chanted by Zen Buddhists the world over.Sojun Mel Weisman Roshi, abbot of the Berkeley Zen Center, offered a marvelous

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-84293741625924329242010-07-30T08:06:00.006-04:002010-07-30T08:14:08.184-04:00

Full disclosure: the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) puts food on my table. That doesn't make this program any less awesome.###BCF's Neighborhood Grants Program (NGP) recently awarded $85,647 in grants to 23 community-led projects in neighborhoods across Baltimore City and County.NGP funding is awarded to community organizations seeking to mobilize community residents to complete a

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-51824984313009692272010-07-29T09:15:00.013-04:002010-07-31T12:24:44.712-04:00

The Charles Street building formerly occupied by the Brass Elephant is going up for auction next week. The restaurant, a Mount Vernon mainstay for three decades, was forced to close last year after coming up short on its mortgage.I don't feel any particular nostalgia about the Brass Elephant. The closest I ever came to eating there was when I stopped into the Tusk Lounge above the main dining

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-69826704871631254852010-07-28T11:30:00.005-04:002011-01-11T18:05:50.709-05:00

Odessa Hampton recently celebrated her 20th year at the Baltimore Community Foundation, where she is the office administrator. “I’m the life of BCF,” she says of her role at the foundation. “I’m the first thing you hear. I’m the first impression.”The mother of three, grandmother of five, and great-grandmother of three, Ms. Odessa is a neighborhood activist, a dedicated volunteer, and an

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1648603267494878412.post-54677711617584529132010-07-25T18:01:00.001-04:002010-07-27T12:52:27.462-04:00

I have lived and worked in the Baltimore area for 20 years. Every day I am privileged to meet people who make Baltimore a better place. They are administrative assistants and nonprofit leaders, artists and clergy, high school students and retirees, educators and service workers, entrepreneurs and volunteers. We share a city and a metropolitan region burdened by enormous economic disparities,

Kevin Griffin Morenohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14815157495101697975noreply@blogger.com0