An intersection of grit and hip in Baltimore

Baltimore is situated in the state of Maryland which is positioned in the central area along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. The independent city is often referred to as Baltimore city to distinguish it from surrounding Baltimore. 

The Bromo Seltzer Art Tower, modeled after the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, has a Seth Thomas timepiece that still serves the city after 102 years.

Joe Wall, who manages the Bromo Seltzer building and leads tours of the clock tower twice a month, checks the gear oil on one of the four faces.

Baltimore's skyline is seen through the arches of the Bromo Seltzer Art Tower.

 Sylvia Matusik, who works at Trinacria, an old-school sandwich shop, helps a customer.

Howard Carrasco of 7M Graphix hangs a mural of Baltimore Ravens player Ray Lewis onto a garage door.

Watercolors wait to be applied in Martha Dougherty’s studio space in the Bromo Seltzer Art Tower.

Outdoor art dots the landscape around the artists studios of Clipper Mill in the Hampden neighborhood.

The Katyn Memorial rises from the circle in Harbor East.

 Harbor East features generic upscale architecture, swanky shops, a Four Seasons hotel, destination restaurants and apartments designed to attract a Georgetown demographic.

High-end dining has sprung up in the Harbor East neighborhood with places such as Cinghiale.

Watercolor artist Martha Dougherty rents one of the 30 artists studios in the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower.

Bohemian Coffee House, which sometimes features live music, has a hipster vibe and a good selection of tea.

At Ouzo Bay, a newish Greek seafood spot in Harbor East, the waiters know their fish. High-end retail, hotels and other restaurants have likewise sprouted in the area.

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In Baltimore, finding more than just true grit

Baltimore’s Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower, once the city’s supreme skyscraper, always delivers a smile. It’s a symbol of kitsch and nostalgia, like the city itself. It’s a reminder of a gritty past and an uncertain present. And right now, it’s making me feel like I’ve stumbled into the fantastic world of the movie “Hugo,” because I’m inside the clock at the top of the tower, inside the glorious Seth Thomas timepiece that still serves the city 102 years after it was installed for $3,965.

Joe Wall, the tower’s facility manager — he’s the guy who puts colored gels on the clock’s lights to celebrate important occasions — is leading a free tour of the Clock Room, complete with the story of the tower’s heyday (a 20-ton blue bottle of the headache remedy sat atop the building), its decline (a stereotypical Baltimore tale of neglect and despair) and its renaissance (reborn as artists’ studios).

Details, Baltimore
 
And my usual reaction to Baltimore — Get me a Bromo — fades away, at least for the moment.
I’ve always been torn about Baltimore. I’m mystified by Washington fans who lustily add an Orioles “O” to the singing of the national anthem at Nationals Park. I have about as much interest in news from the next big city up the Northeast Corridor as I do in, say, Pittsburgh.
On the other hand, I’ll happily stop off in Baltimore’s Little Italy on my way down Interstate 95 heading home from a New York jaunt, and it’s a cheap pleasure to join other Yankees fans in taking over Camden Yards whenever the Bronx Bombers are in town. As long as Baltimore fans aren’t using their lovely ballpark, it’s nice of them to lend it to us.

But I never got into the true-grit romance of Baltimore. Those black billboards that Martin O’Malley put up around town when he was mayor, urging his dispirited constituents simply to “BELIEVE,” struck me as more pathetic than stirring. I loved HBO’s “The Wire,” especially the episodes written by Washington novelist George Pelecanos, but its depiction of Baltimore didn’t exactly make me pine for the place, let alone want to pop up for a weekend getaway.
So when the Travel editors suggested that I check in on our neighbor to the northeast, I admit to a certain grumpiness, informed by decades of hearing Randy Newman’s pained wail (“Oh, Baltimore, man, it’s hard just to live”) in the back of my mind and by a pesky allergy to all things John Waters. (I enjoy a great beehive hairdo as much as the next guy, but camp, ultimately, is as empty as Baltimore’s rubble-strewn vacant lots.)
For a city of its size, and especially one with its reputation — the day after the Super Bowl, the Onion produced one of its instant gem headlines: “Baltimore Looking for Safer City to Host Super Bowl Parade” — Charm City has a splendid array of attractions. But when it comes to basics such as the Inner Harbor, National Aquarium, Walters Art Museum, Fort McHenry and Fells Point, most Washingtonians have probably already been there.
Instead of revisiting old favorites such as the American Visionary Art Museum, I wanted to push back against my bias, measure the march of gentrification against the preservation of the city’s much-ballyhooed old neighborhoods, explore, eat well — and maybe even figure out what I really think of the place.

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World's 5 most romantic dining destinations

Whether it's a lazy brunch or a candle-lit dinner by sand dunes, the world's greatest cities offer tantalising options for dining with your beloved

Bangkok

Bangkok has some of the most romantic locations for guests having destination weddings, on their honeymoon, celebrating their anniversary, "babymoon" or just escaping from everyday life. One such is lebua, which has the world's highest al-fresco restaurant. Named Sirocco, it's located on the 63rd floor of the hotel and offers a feast for the senses and an invitation to romance. Melt your lover's heart with an unforgettable romantic dinner there. With the glittering city lights below while overlooking the River of Kings, a smile and a toast will say much more than words. Spice up your relationship in a memorable night under the stars at "Sky Bar", a multi-award winning sky-high bar overlooking the city and the Chao Phraya River. Bangkok's most exclusive and distinctive dining destination of Tower Club at lebua also presents the finest international cuisines to accent every moment of love; modern innovative European cuisine at Mezzaluna on 65th Floor, sumptuous Asian cuisine at Breeze on 52nd Floor and the most delectable of international buffet at Cafe Mozu on M Floor.

Prague

Find inspiration in Prague for a romantic proposal at one of its castles, chateaux and gardens. Whether you tour Prague in a horse-drawn carriage or dine in a Gothic vaulted cellar, your Prague break will be pure romance. Begin your romantic break in Prague with an evening cruise on the Vltava River. Break for a romantic dinner in an intimate eatery looking across the river, an atmospheric vaulted cellar restaurant in the Old Town or request a table with a castle view. Book advance tickets for The Marriage of Figaro at Prague's State Opera. Break open a bottle of local Bohemian Sekt sparkling wine atop Petrin Hill beside Prague's Eiffel-Tower model and scented rose gardens.

Florence

All it takes is a stroll through the ancient city of Florence, the gentle wind whispering the same natural endearments as in the Renaissance, to conjure romantics. Take a romantic break while soaking up the sun at one of its many outdoor cafes, or indulge in something sweet at Rivoire, Florence's famous chocolatier. Villa La Massa is a fascinating 16th century Medicean dwelling on the outskirts of Firenze. Since the building was turned into a luxury hotel in 1948, many Hollywood celebrities have stayed here — Clark Gable, Winston Churchill, Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, to name a few. More recently, David Bowie and Iman took over the Villa for their wedding. Il Verrocchio has an indoor dining hall with a vaulted ceiling and a unique terrace overlooking the Arno with a view onto the famous Rufina hills.

Dubai

Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, the centre of Dubai's heritage and conservation efforts, lies nestled within a green and verdant oasis amongst some of Arabia's most impressive dune and desert landscapes. Resembling an ancient Bedouin encampment this secluded, internationally-awarded hideaway resort offers personal and seductive experiences of the region's history and hospitality, in absolute comfort. Embracing the culinary cultures of the East and West, dining at Al Maha Desort Resort and Spa is an experience to savour and remember. With an excellent team led by the multiple award-winning Executive Chef David Miras, all the menus are meticulously prepared and flawlessly executed. Every dish is hand-made, using the finest, fresh organic ingredients from around the world. Relax in the intimacy of a romantic meal, tailor-made exactly to your requirements and served on your private deck outside the suite.

San Francisco

Perched atop one of the city's highest hills since 1924, the elegant The Huntington Hotel in San Francisco is a warm, welcoming tribute to an era when travel was truly glamorous. With superb skyline views, a tranquil spa, and an award-winning gourmet restaurant, they are a truly prestigious address. Reserve one of their newly renovated downtown San Francisco hotel rooms for a delightful sense of intimacy usually found in a private downtown residence. Located off the lobby of the Huntington Hotel, the Big 4 Restaurant offers a soft, romantic atmosphere. Begin your evening in the lounge relaxing by the cosy fireplace with wine or cocktails. Live piano entertainment fills the space with refreshing soul nightly. Immerse yourself in San Francisco dining by candlelight. Chef Ciccarone-Nehls personally develops all the menus for this innovative restaurant, featuring an eclectic mix of starters and light fare as well as a full range of pastas and house specialties for heartier appetites. The menus at this San Francisco restaurant change regularly to reflect the availability of fresh seafood, game, fowl, vegetables, fruits, or holiday favorites. 

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10 Best Spots in The World for Seeing The Sun Rise

1. Haleakala National Park, Hawaii, USA
Boarding a bus in the wee hours of the morning is a pain, particularly on vacation when the greatest indulgence is sleeping in. But the alarm-clock acknowledgement is worth it if the payoff is watching a sunrise from above the clouds, on the top of a volcano. Various van tours offer the trip through Haleakala National Park in Maui, picking visitors up at 3 am and dropping them off to see the event from the summit. The view is worth the travel time!

2. Svalbard, Norway
The sun rising here holds an almost magical appeal for visitors. Situated north of the Arctic Circle, the northernmost inhabited spot on the planet features the midnight sun, a phenomenon where the sun stays continuously in the sky for 24 hours a day. Glaciers and mountains clutter Svalbard's horizon, painting a landscape that merely enhances the event.

3. Angkor Wat Siem Reap, Cambodia
Angkor Wat any time of day is powerful, but arriving early enough to watch the sunrise offers visitors an even greater spectacle. The preserved temple attracts travellers from around the world, providing them insight into Khmer and Hindu mythology and history. It's advisable to dedicate more than a day to explore the sacred grounds.

4. Fiji 
Smack dab on the 180-degree longitude line, Fiji is one of the first spots in the world to see the sun rise every day. The South Pacific destination is a favourite among lovers of turquoise seas and white-sand beaches. Tip: Follow an sunrise up with a morning exploration; the 'soft coral capital of the world' offers some of the best scuba diving in the world.

5. Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania 
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is a fun attraction for adventure travellers. You have one of the most enchanting sunrises in the world here. From Kili's summit — 19,341 feet above sea level — dedicated souls can soak up the sights.

6. Stonehenge, England
Equinox devotees gather here every year for the Vernal Equinox. A place of sun worship still, Stonehenge is a mysterious destination that holds deep spiritual value for travellers. Stonehenge is also known for its magical sunrise. 7 TRES CRUCES, PERU A six-hour bus ride from Cuzco, the gateway to Machu Picchu, Tres Cruces is undeniably worth the long trek. It presents a mind-blowing sunrise to visitors. The view boasts celestial hues and camera moments from above the clouds.

8. Tulum, Mexico
The coastal oasis of Tulum draws spiritual travellers and yoga-types year-round to soak up exquisite culture, history and scenery all in a single spot. Visitors are up with the sun (and often in bed shortly after the sun goes down). No need to set an alarm in Tulum, where sun worshippers gather at the shoreline daily to watch the sunrise.

9. Grand Canyon, Arizona, USA
The most impressive sunrises in the United States occur every day across the Grand Canyon. Cool purples melt into shades bronze and orange against the inspiring scenery, arguably Maricopa, Hopi, and Mather points and spots along the South Rim are recommended as places to catch the best sunrise. For watch this lovely place with Singh Limo Service DC at cheap rate

10. Mount Sinal, Egypt
First a history refresher: Jews, Christians and Muslims alike believe that Moses received the 10 Commandments at the biblical Mount Sinai, as said to be mentioned in the Torah, Bible and Koran. An important religious destination, Mount Sinai today draws believers who scale the route by foot for religious purposes, and for the chance to see one of the most inspiring sunrises in the world.

County’s top stories in 2012

Well-known American author and journalist Hal Borland said, “a year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.” With a new year upon us it’s time to look back at some of the most relevant stories of 2012.

10. In April, new cadets reported to the Appalachian ChalleNGe Academy at Grays Knob. This was the first class of cadets and after completing a 22-week program 60 cadets graduated in December.

9. In March, victims in Laurel and Morgan counties received help from Harlan countians after a devastating tornado hit their area. Lives, homes and businesses were lost during this March storm.

8. In June, the Harlan County Board of Education began their search for a new superintendent after Tim Saylor submitted his intention to retire effective July 1. Saylor served 12 years as superintendent and 30 years in education. He is one of the district’s longest tenured superintendents. Following a mandated application process by state law, Assistant Superintendent Mike Howard was chosen to replace Saylor as superintendent. He had previously overseen the district’s finances.

7. In September, the Kentucky State Police discovered Bruce Penix, 47 of Kildav, deceased inside a resident. Robert E. Curry, 39, of Evarts, was arrested as a suspect in that death.

6. In May, Appalachian Regional Health care hospitals, including Harlan, and Coventry Care began negotiations over health care in eastern Kentucky. Facing a backlash from patients furious at the prospect of losing medical care, Coventry threatened to cancel its contract with ARH Health care affecting approximately 25,000 people in eastern Kentucky. After state involvement and failed negotiations, Coventry cancelled their contracts with ARH in November.

5. In February, Kentucky National Guard A Company 103rd BSB of Danville was activated to assist residents of the Green Hills Water District after Harlan County Judge-Executive Joe Grieshop declared a state of emergency. A 6,000 gallon water holding tank was set up and filled with spring water on top of Pine Mountain to provide water for residents. A few weeks later Black Mountain Water District consolidated with the Green Hills Water District to make improvements to the water system for Pine Mountain residents.

4. In March, the first of Kentucky’s 2012 mining fatalities occurred at Parton Brothers Contracting Company’s Timber Tree Mine No. 9 in Blair. James Bailey, 32, of Cumberland, died when he was pinned by the canopy he was installing on a mine shuttle car.

3. In May, during the primary election, S. Parker Boggs defeated incumbent Henry Johnson for the office of commonwealth attorney in Harlan. Boggs took 59.9 percent of the vote with 2,048 votes and Johnson received 36.5 percent with 1,246 votes. Boggs will assume that office in January.

2. A horrific Christmas Eve traffic crash in Knox County sent shock and grief throughout Harlan and Letcher counties, as well as Scott County, as two prominent school officials and community members died, along with their daughter and son-in-law. Gary and Patricia Caldwell had picked up their daughter, Julia Robinson, and her husband, Brent Robinson, at the airport in Lexington and were heading to Putney to be joined by other relatives to celebrate Christmas. Police said a vehicle crossed the median of the highway and slammed head on into the Caldwell vehicle, killing all four in the car as well as the driver of the other car, David Vanderpool, 31, of Williamsburg.

Emergency workers commented after the fiery crash that it was the worst scene they had ever encountered. As the story continues to unfold toward the start of a new year, details of an extensive criminal record for Vanderpool and his recent release from jail continue to add to the tragedy. A joint-funeral service was held at the Harlan Baptist Church on Friday, with hundreds attending to pay final respects to Gary, the finance director for Letcher County Schools, Patricia (Patty), the assistant principal at James A. Cawood Elementary School, Julia, a speech therapist at an elementary school in Bradenton, Fla., and Brent, a software developer. The funeral produced a scene that many attending commented that they had never seen nor ever want to see again - four hearses waiting to carry so many members of one family away from a funeral at one time.

1. Possibly no story has generated more discussion and concern than the layoffs in the coal industry stemming from the Environmental Protection Agency’s failure to approve mining permits for the area due to stiffer environmental regulations. As a result, this, along with the substantial message sent to President Barack Obama by Harlan County voters during the General Election in November has been the top story of 2012 for the county.

And, with news out of Washington DC, this week that Lisa Jackson, the head of the EPA was stepping down, Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers called the action a belated Christmas present for the coal industry. Industry officials and local mining employees are hoping the new leader will lift some of the stringent regulations that have been imposed in recent months, stifling the permitting process for coal. As we move to 2013, the the future of the mining industry continues to have a lot of uncertainty.

Happy New Year to you from the staff and management of the Harlan Daily Enterprise.

Dulles Airport seen as potential engine for revenue

Reagan National Airport is the region’s smallest commercial airport. Boxed in by the Potomac River and Arlington County, it is popular with carriers and travelers, but it has no room to grow.

Dulles International Airport, 25 miles west of downtown Washington, doesn't have that problem. It has already grown, thanks to $4.1 billion in improvements since 2000, and it has the space to grow even more. Yet while National and Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport have seen increases in travelers, Dulles has seen a decline.

But officials at the authority that manages Dulles and National say they see far more than a problem. They see potential.

“Dulles is the opportunity for our future,” Margaret McKeough, chief operating officer of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, told members of the authority’s board Wednesday. “It is a tremendous asset. . . . We are not close to maximizing the potential of that infrastructure.”

In a presentation to the board, staff members outlined two ways to generate more revenue from Dulles.

One option focuses on the airport itself, with plans to improve concessions, increase advertising, and add shops and restaurants.

The other option looks beyond the airport. The land managed by the authority around Dulles is largely undeveloped, and when Metro’s Silver Line extension reaches the airport in several years, McKeough said, that land will become more vital — and valuable.

“As far as I’m concerned, when it comes to Dulles, the sky’s the limit,” Jack Potter, the authority’s president and chief executive, told board members.

In an interview after his presentation, Potter stressed that there are no specific plans for development of the 3,000 acres surrounding Dulles.

Still, the MWAA board took a step in that direction Wednesday, approving an amendment to the lease that transferred control of the airports from the federal government to the authority in 1987.

The amendment loosens the lease’s restrictions on business in and around the airports. The lease largely restricts land use to business relating to air travel. But under the amendment, as long as the U.S. transportation secretary approves, the authority can use the land around Dulles to generate revenue.

“We need that flexibility,” Potter told the board.

Dulles has not seen the increase in travelers that the authority had projected for the past decade, a period that saw billions of dollars in renovations and expansion.

The number of passengers traveling through National increased to 18.8 million last year from 18 million in 2010. Officials are projecting about 19 million travelers this year.

Meanwhile, the number of travelers at Dulles declined to 23.2 million from 23.7 million in 2010 and 24.7 million in 2007.

BWI, which is operated by the state of Maryland, has seen year-to-year increases in four of the past five years, jumping from 21 million travelers in 2007 to 22.3 million last year.

The authority expects growth at Dulles this year to be relatively flat. That lack of growth and debt from the airport expansion have increased Dulles’s average cost per traveler.

It costs $25.30 per traveler boarding a plane at Dulles, roughly double the $12.72 per traveler boarding at National and nearly three times as much as BWI’s $9.29 per passenger.

Eventually, Dulles is expected to see the number of travelers increase, driven by overall growth in air travel. The Federal Aviation Administration projects that three times as many passengers will be boarding planes at Dulles by 2040.

MWAA officials say that the efforts of the past several years have positioned Dulles well to handle additional future travelers. With only minor alterations, Dulles could handle about 45 million passengers per year, said Frank Holly, MWAA vice president of engineering.

Even as board members weighed the future of Dulles, they were busy dealing with the aftermath of recent investigations into the authority. A report issued last month by the Transportation Department’s inspector general castigated the authority for ethical lapses and a dysfunctional corporate culture.

Potter said that the authority will complete each of the report’s 12 recommendations by next year.

“We believe we’re on the right track. . . . We know we have work left to do,” he said.

As part of the lease amendment approved Wednesday, the authority must adopt, maintain and follow the “best practices” regarding transparency, travel and ethics.

At the meeting, the board approved an update to the authority’s travel policy. The new policy,approved in September, requires directors to sign off on board-related travel. But the audit noted that “gray areas” remained under the new policy, which encouraged travelers to find reasonable rates but didn't specify what that meant.

The update specifically directs travelers to use lower group rates when available and says that luxury hotel costs will be reimbursed only up to the rate of a more affordable hotel nearby.

The National Mall - Washington DC, USA

About the National Mall

Situated on the banks of the Potomac River, the National Mall is a two-mile swath of land bound by the U.S. Capitol to the east and the Washington Monument to the west. Visitors to "the Mall" will find a wide, pedestrian-friendly, tree-lined boulevard with moving monuments and memorials, world-famous museums and impressive federal buildings along Constitution Avenue.

The National Mall welcomes millions of visitors every year, but it has also played host to many history-making events. This is where Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his "I Have A Dream" speech to hundreds of thousands who marched on Washington. This is where protestors - from those opposing the Vietnam War during the turbulent 1960s to the peaceful protests of the 1980s punctuated by the AIDS quilt, to modern-day marchers rallying for and against everything from reproductive rights to big business- make their voices heard.

Monuments & memorials on the Mall

The National Mall is home to the country’s most famous monuments and memorials. The Lincoln, Jefferson, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorials all reside here. You’ll also find the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, the National World War II Memorial and the Korean War Veterans Memorial.

DC’s monuments and memorials are free and open to the public 24 hours a day. Spread out across just two miles, it’s fairly easy to see them all in a day or two (be sure and include some time to rent a paddle boat at the Tidal Basin, where the Jefferson, FDR and MLK memorials are located). If walking the Mall isn’t in your plan, you can also rent a bike, Segway or see the sights via the hop-on, hop-off bus. Be sure to check out our Tours of DC's Monuments & Memorials for more information.

Museums on the Mall

The National Mall is also home to many of the country’s most popular museums. Smithsonian museums along the National Mall include the National Museum of American History, National Museum of Natural History, National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of the American Indian and the Smithsonian Castle.

The expansive National Gallery of Art, which features two wings of traditional and contemporary art, is also conveniently located on the Mall. The museum’s sculpture garden hosts free Jazz in the Garden concerts on Friday evenings during the summer and transforms itself into an ice skating rink during the winter.

For more information on navigating all 15 Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo, read Visiting the Smithsonian Museums.

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