Category: Baltimore

I remember Polock Johnny’s

I was surprised to find a restaurant chain called Polock Johnny’s when I moved to Baltimore in 1976. There are a few left. Sausage is the featured item.

Here are three Polock Johnny’s items that I got in the 1970s or 1980s.

A small lunchbox, cup and plastic drink bottle

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An old bath house in Baltimore

I pass by the old Walter’s Bath No. 2 on Washington Blvd. almost every day. I think it is apartments now. In the 1990s it was used for neighborhood planning and meeting. Washington Village-Pigtown got funds from the Empowerment Zone program led by Vice President Al Gore, I, among many people, worked on the application for the Empowerment Zone funds and participated in many meetings in the old bath house.

Here’s a picture I took today (9/6/24)

The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Johnny Eck from Baltimore was in ‘Freaks’

Johnny Eck was from Baltimore.

I saw Ray Charles perform at the first Artscape in Baltimore (1982)

Baltimore’s first Artscape festival was held in June 1982. Usually, concerts have been held outside but the Ray Charles concert was inside the Fifth Regiment Armory. It’s been a long time since then but I think it was indoors because it was raining.

Charles was great but his show seemed like it was out of a time capsule. He had a big band and the Rayletts. Charles, whose style was innovative in the 1950s and 1960s now seemed like he was performing in an old format.

I’m glad we didn’t have the All-Star game in Baltimore in 2024

I would love to have the MLB All-Star Game here in Baltimore. The last time was in 1993. However, the weather which is worsening because of climate change, is an issue. According to AccuWeather it was 105 on July 16, the day of the game. That’s a little higher than I recall but I am sure the heat index hit that. In addition, there was rain at night that would have caused a delay.

Just something to think about for the future when it could be worse. I hope not.

The Baltimore Sun’s new right wing owners are damaging the paper

At this point, I mostly subscribe for the sports columns by Mike Preston.

The Mayfair Theatre in Baltimore

This is an old abandoned movie theatre in downtown Baltimore that has been deteriorating for decades. Hopefully, what’s left can be renovated.

Baltimore Heritage on the Mayfair Theatre.