I just realized that all these years of college were a big fat waste of time. Why? Well because you obviously don't need a bit of college experience to have your own column in the Frederick News Post like Jake Stull (no relation - seriously). Notice he is 17.
While this post isn't specifically in relation to downtown Frederick there is a reference to it in Mr. Stull's article. And the reference is pretty spectacular, as he gives an event in downtown called "In the Streets" all the credit for his skating ambitions, and apparently all the credit for his new found journalistic success. Here I just thought "In the Streets" was responsible for getting me drunk. I guess I should have been paying closer attention - then maybe, just maybe, my old ass wouldn't still be in college but rather sitting in my own office at the Frederick News Post.
I haven't researched Jake, so maybe he is some sort of genius and does have a college degree (highly unlikely) or maybe he's related to me. Hopefully it's the latter, because then maybe I could call him up and ask him to drop my name a bit around the office.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Blog Post 9
Here I am writing about downtown Frederick, like I am some sort of expert, and to bad I didn't even know about the annual Kris Kringle procession. The procession is a holiday parade that has been going on in downtown for 22 years. Never once had I heard anything about this until I ran across the article in the Frederick News Post that briefly talks about the event. While I don't think this article actually gives the reader a great idea about what the parade is like, I do think my mother did when she told me about it the other night. And I am pretty sure that unless I have a child strapped to my hip I will not be gracing this event with my presence. This is not to say that I don't think it would be a great time, I just don't think it would be entertaining for someone without children.
However, I do think it is awesome that the city holds so many events for all different types of people. I really feel like there is always something to do. Even if it is sitting in a bar, getting drunk while you watch all the crazy kids waving to santa outside. Hey, at least you are warm.
However, I do think it is awesome that the city holds so many events for all different types of people. I really feel like there is always something to do. Even if it is sitting in a bar, getting drunk while you watch all the crazy kids waving to santa outside. Hey, at least you are warm.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Blog Post 8
It's about time other states begin to recognize the realms of greatness downtown Frederick has to offer. Our neighboring state, Delaware was sweet enough to offer up compliments about the area. Over the years Frederick has begun to attract more and more tourists, and even more so as it continues to grow. Lucky us, after all tourists do tend to spend a lot more money than the cheap everyday resident.
It's hard to realize what a great place you live in when you see it everyday. As the days go by, it is easy to forget the beautiful scenery, great shops or fabulous restaurants. When others compliment your home it's eye-opening because it is something that has always been known but barely ever recognized.
It's hard to realize what a great place you live in when you see it everyday. As the days go by, it is easy to forget the beautiful scenery, great shops or fabulous restaurants. When others compliment your home it's eye-opening because it is something that has always been known but barely ever recognized.
Blog Post 7
Most of downtown Frederick is made up of specialty shops. However, recently a few chain stores have made their way into the area and it is being considered whether or not this new development will continue. While it is possible, it is also difficult considering the rules of the historic area.
In my opinion, chain stores in downtown are an unnecessary addition considering the close proximity of the FSK shopping mall and other chain retail stores that are located only minutes from Market Street.
There has always been a good difference between Market Street and 355, which are basically the same road, but with completely opposite sceneries and shopping options for that matter. There really is no reason to make chain additions directly up the street from where they are already located. People will conitnue to shop where they wish unless of course all of their favorite stores are eliminated due to overgrowth of chain developments. Historic downtown is historic for a reason - so maybe, just maybe, it should be left that way.
In my opinion, chain stores in downtown are an unnecessary addition considering the close proximity of the FSK shopping mall and other chain retail stores that are located only minutes from Market Street.
There has always been a good difference between Market Street and 355, which are basically the same road, but with completely opposite sceneries and shopping options for that matter. There really is no reason to make chain additions directly up the street from where they are already located. People will conitnue to shop where they wish unless of course all of their favorite stores are eliminated due to overgrowth of chain developments. Historic downtown is historic for a reason - so maybe, just maybe, it should be left that way.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Blog Post 6
Yet again the keys are on topic. Recently one of the 30 giant fiberglass keys was stolen from the downtown area. This is not the first one to be stolen, vandalized or broken. It is however, the first time the crime was witnessed and the men stealing the key were arrested.
It's funny how people didn't see this coming. Or maybe they did, I haven't taken a poll. But you think if you decided to place 30 giant keys around the city you would bolt them down. Or maybe just not do it all. In my opinion the keys would look better in a gallery or in a store front rather than directly on the street.
Anyway, the men that were arrested were between the ages of 28-36. The picture I get in my head when I think of these grown men hauling the key into the back of their pick-up truck is beyond hilarious. I can imagine almost anyone else making this attempt, high school or college students would have made more sense. But no, it was probably just some old drunk rednecks, another great thing Frederick is known for.
It's funny how people didn't see this coming. Or maybe they did, I haven't taken a poll. But you think if you decided to place 30 giant keys around the city you would bolt them down. Or maybe just not do it all. In my opinion the keys would look better in a gallery or in a store front rather than directly on the street.
Anyway, the men that were arrested were between the ages of 28-36. The picture I get in my head when I think of these grown men hauling the key into the back of their pick-up truck is beyond hilarious. I can imagine almost anyone else making this attempt, high school or college students would have made more sense. But no, it was probably just some old drunk rednecks, another great thing Frederick is known for.
Blog Post 5
Everything is not always fun in downtown Frederick. Just recently a Trooper shot himself in the downtown area, on the corner of West South and South Bentz streets. Sergeant Pride Rivers was then taken to Frederick Memorial Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Just when you think the police are supposed to be protecting you. Who would have thought that a police officer would take his own life, and in public for that matter?? Actually I am surprised it isn't a more common occurrence. With the everyday job of holding other peoples lives in their hands, I can imagine it would get pretty stressful.
There isn't much information about why the Trooper was inclined to take his own life, only references to calls made to his wife that were declined.
When someone takes their own life you have to wonder what turmoil they must have been dealing with inside themselves, and why they let it get to such a point. Downtown will always remember Sergeant Pride Rivers, not only because he served the city well but also because he left his mark on the streets. West South and South Bentz streets to be exact.
Just when you think the police are supposed to be protecting you. Who would have thought that a police officer would take his own life, and in public for that matter?? Actually I am surprised it isn't a more common occurrence. With the everyday job of holding other peoples lives in their hands, I can imagine it would get pretty stressful.
There isn't much information about why the Trooper was inclined to take his own life, only references to calls made to his wife that were declined.
When someone takes their own life you have to wonder what turmoil they must have been dealing with inside themselves, and why they let it get to such a point. Downtown will always remember Sergeant Pride Rivers, not only because he served the city well but also because he left his mark on the streets. West South and South Bentz streets to be exact.
Podcast 2
Tommy Kemp is a 28 year resident of Frederick. He owns a house in downtown with his girlfriend Maggie Burd and spends most of his free-time in the downtown area. Here is what he has to say about his experiences in downtown Frederick.
Podcast 1
Maggie Burd has lived in Frederick for almost 24 years. She owns a home in downtown with her boyfriend Tommy Kemp and spends most of her free-time enjoying all that downtown has to offer. While she has not always lived in the downtown area, she has always spent a lot of time there. Here is what she has to say about her experiences in downtown.
Monday, October 1, 2007
Blog Post 4
One Sunday a couple weekends ago I was walking around downtown working on this project. I went to lunch with my mom at La Paz and while we were waiting for a table, we walked up Carrol Creek. Normally you would just see people walking their dogs or taking a stroll down the newly constructed creek-side, but on this day we saw something different. Hair stylists from O'Hair Salon and Spa were outside cutting their customers hair, and not just for fun, but for a cause. We stopped to talk to them and were told they were having a cut-a-thon for Hurricane Katrina victims.
Now you might be wandering if I got my hair cut, I didn't, but had I known that where I would be sitting at lunch would be much like sitting directly on the sun, I would have. Actually, come to think of it, I didn't even make a donation. Good for me, I'm glad that when I notice a good cause I jump on the bandwagon and donate to it.
Anyways, it's nice to know that not all business owners and employees have forgotten what's important to them and every once in awhile do something that makes a difference. So next time you are enjoying a Sunday afternoon in Downtown Frederick and see something like the cut-a-thon, you really should donate to the cause, unlike me of course, because it just seems like the right thing to do.
Now you might be wandering if I got my hair cut, I didn't, but had I known that where I would be sitting at lunch would be much like sitting directly on the sun, I would have. Actually, come to think of it, I didn't even make a donation. Good for me, I'm glad that when I notice a good cause I jump on the bandwagon and donate to it.
Anyways, it's nice to know that not all business owners and employees have forgotten what's important to them and every once in awhile do something that makes a difference. So next time you are enjoying a Sunday afternoon in Downtown Frederick and see something like the cut-a-thon, you really should donate to the cause, unlike me of course, because it just seems like the right thing to do.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Blog Post 3
OK, so the big news in Downtown Frederick, is the keys, for the love of god, the keys. It isn't just one key or even a set of keys for that matter, but rather several massive single keys painted by different artists and placed periodically around the downtown area. They are artistically painted and interesting to look at, if they were in gallery, not a street where they look as if a small child could kick them over at any moment. You may think the "Keys to Frederick" have added a "hometown feel" to the area. Well your wrong, they have added not only a hideous sidewalk obstruction but also a "something fun to do" on Friday nights for punk kids. Recently the keys were vandalized. And, while I seriously detest the hideousness of them, I would not have recommended vandalizing them either.
Unfortunately, the keys to Frederick will not be going anywhere anytime soon. They will live in the paths of Frederickians and tourists for years to come. So, when you find yourself wandering around the downtown area, please be sure to watch out for the god forsaken keys because they will get you in your way, and when they do and you get done cursing out the mammoth keys, take a look at them, because while they may be over-sized and poorly designed they do possess some creative art.
Unfortunately, the keys to Frederick will not be going anywhere anytime soon. They will live in the paths of Frederickians and tourists for years to come. So, when you find yourself wandering around the downtown area, please be sure to watch out for the god forsaken keys because they will get you in your way, and when they do and you get done cursing out the mammoth keys, take a look at them, because while they may be over-sized and poorly designed they do possess some creative art.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Blog Post 2
Art is a very interesting topic, especially because there are so many forms of art, including anything from jewelry design to watercolors. Dr. Suess even showed us a form of art that, I feel, both chilren and adults can appreciate. When designed correctly, even T-shirts are considered art. While I am not an art expert and will never claim to be, I assume that just as there are many different types of art there are many different types of art galleries.
While searching for information on the topic of art or galleries, I came across a flickr website with several different types of art produced by one person and ironically displayed, for us web-viewers, in multimedia form. I seem to be finding that many artists are becoming more and more involved in the multimedia or multiple media world. I assume without this, they would have little chance for survival in the industry. The art displayed on this particular website covers several realms including sewing and, the previously mentioned, T-shirts. It really is amazing to see were talent comes from.
While searching for information on the topic of art or galleries, I came across a flickr website with several different types of art produced by one person and ironically displayed, for us web-viewers, in multimedia form. I seem to be finding that many artists are becoming more and more involved in the multimedia or multiple media world. I assume without this, they would have little chance for survival in the industry. The art displayed on this particular website covers several realms including sewing and, the previously mentioned, T-shirts. It really is amazing to see were talent comes from.
Blog Post 1
Even though I know there is no shortage of bars in my hometown of Frederick, Md., I found it difficult to find information on any of the ones I am so used to visiting. With the new development in downtown and several up-and-coming bars and restaurants in the area, I thought there would be no shortage of search results. This thought was wrong and I found my search being limited to only a few websites, all of which failed to tell the information I was seeking.
When going to a bar or restaurant for the first time, it is nice to know a few key things before entering the establishment. Like for example, what the dress code is, if there is one, how much the cover is if you are going to bar and most importantly who goes there. I'm not sure if you agree, but I wouldn't want to go out hoping for a fun night with my girlfriends and end up at a bar were only elders visited. Now don't get me wrong, elders are great, they're just not who I want to get drunk and dance on table tops with. As if this is what I do when going out. As far as restaurants go, knowing the dress code is vital. Who wants to go out to eat only to find they are way under dressed or worse, way to fancy. I don't know, maybe it's just a girl thing. Whether or not you care about what you wear when you go out, how much it cost or who's there, the information is lacking and it wouldn't hurt to have more of it readily available to all bar goers and restaurant lovers alike.
When going to a bar or restaurant for the first time, it is nice to know a few key things before entering the establishment. Like for example, what the dress code is, if there is one, how much the cover is if you are going to bar and most importantly who goes there. I'm not sure if you agree, but I wouldn't want to go out hoping for a fun night with my girlfriends and end up at a bar were only elders visited. Now don't get me wrong, elders are great, they're just not who I want to get drunk and dance on table tops with. As if this is what I do when going out. As far as restaurants go, knowing the dress code is vital. Who wants to go out to eat only to find they are way under dressed or worse, way to fancy. I don't know, maybe it's just a girl thing. Whether or not you care about what you wear when you go out, how much it cost or who's there, the information is lacking and it wouldn't hurt to have more of it readily available to all bar goers and restaurant lovers alike.
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