July 20, 2011|By Baltimore Sun reporter
"Windup Space is really important for me. It looks and feels hip, and it's totally my vibe. I recorded a live thing there a few months ago with my group, the New Volcanoes. That's the club for us. It has the flavor, the ambience, the location that makes the most ideal fit for our music. I also see a lot of improvised music there we wouldn't have otherwise in our town. And there's a diverse audience - young, old, a decent racial mix. It's got everything going for it." 12 W. North Ave. | 410-244-8855 | thewindupspace.com
Turf Valley Golf Course
Paul Blair, former Oriole outfielder and eight-time Gold Glove winner
"How often do I golf there? How often does the sun come up? I can go there and just be me. I've been playing at Turf Valley for 33 years, sometimes 36 holes a day. Got a 6 handicap, too, which isn't bad for an old guy of 67." 2700 Turf Valley Road, Ellicott City | 410-465-1500 | turfvalley.com
1st Thursday concerts in the park
Victoria Vox, musician
"One of the coolest things about Baltimore is its hip music scene. One of my favorite (and free) music events is the 1st Thursday Concerts in the Park. The Towson University radio station, WTMD, is a huge supporter of live music and is instrumental in the concerts, which are held at the Washington Monument at Charles Street, from May through October. In addition to the great music (both local and nationally touring acts), I savor the Brewer's Art brew and some nosh, while enjoying a pretty sweet backdrop of Mount Vernon.
Patterson Park Pagoda
Oxiris Barbot, Baltimore health commissioner
"Urban living is best when balanced with tranquil oases of green. Patterson Park does that for me. After a vigorous walk around the park, I particularly enjoy sitting by the Pagoda. A special treat is when the Pagoda is open and I get to climb to the top for a 360-degree view of the city."
Mum's
Rodney "Pie Man" Henry of Dangerously Delicious Pies
"Mum's is a great dive bar with excellent music. It's a great place to get away from everyone you're trying to stay away from and hang with some folks that truly don't care who you are, or what you do. The beer is cold, jukebox rocks, they occasionally have live music. But above all, they don't put up with any BS." 1132 S. Hanover St. | 410-547-7415
Mac-in-cheese meets Mount Vernon
Sarah Bloom Raskin, a governor with the Federal Reserve system
Nothing matches the enjoyment of eating macaroni-and-cheese-in-a-cup on a bench near the nymph-filled fountain in Mount Vernon Square. You can get the macaroni-and cheese at Home Town Deli - with a side order of advice on the economy from the cashier. 311 N. Calvert St. | 410-244-0672
The half-cow barbeque at Joung Kak
Joe Edwardsen, owner of Joe Squared
"It's not on the menu, but you can order it, though. They just bring out a bunch of beef guts. If you're drunk on North Avenue at 3 a.m., which I often am, it's delicious. It feeds four people, no problem. It's fan-freaking-tastic. It's $50 or $60, but I always end up drinking so much, my tab is like $160. 18 W. 20th St. | 410-837-5231
Club Charles
Jim Lucio, Visual Arts Coordinator for Artscape
"The Club Charles isn't just a cool place to hang out because it's endorsed by ghosts and the occasional celebrity, it really is the best drinking spot in Baltimore. Joy Martin, who in my opinion, is just as much an art director as she is owner, creates tons of atmosphere and gives back to her customers before they even have a chance to order a drink. Great seasonal décor, interesting people and friends can always be found here. Just don't call it the Club Chuck!"
Real Food Farm
Holly Freishtat, Baltimore food czar
"One of my favorite places is Real Food Farm, an urban farm-nestled into Clifton Park, with hoop houses galore. In the height of the season there are an abundance of vegetables and the flurry of students, and in the winter, the hoop houses are a place of warmth where vegetables are growing as the snow is piling up around us." Real Food Farm | 2801 St. Lo Drive | realfoodfarm.org
Padonia Station
Art Donovan, former Baltimore Colt and Pro Football Hall of Famer
"Padonia Station has an 'Artie Donovan Burger,' but it weighs 24 ounces and I can't eat it all anymore. So I get a cheeseburger with french-fried potatoes, smothered in gravy. Oh yeah, the hospitality there is good, too." 63 E. Padonia Road, Timonium | 410-252-8181 | padoniastation.com
Biking Baltimore
Lainy LeBow-Sachs, executive vice president at Kennedy Krieger Institute
"For years, one of my favorite things to do on the weekend was jump on my bike and set off exploring Baltimore's diverse, eclectic and historic neighborhoods. I'd cruise through the spacious, tree-lined avenues of Roland Park and Guilford or dodge taxis and tourists around the Inner Harbor and Fells Point. It reminded me how lucky I am to call Baltimore home."
Station North Arts and Entertainment District
Fred Lazarus IV, President of Maryland Institute College of Art
"The Station North area has become the center of Baltimore's emerging music and visual arts scene. It has become recognized nationally for the quality of music and art there. The Area 405 gallery, the gallery in the Railway Express Building and the Single Carrot Theatre are just a few of the places that are worth a visit. When I'm there, I also like to stop at Joe Squared restaurant for some fabulous risotto."
Tide Point
Jamie Costello, anchorman for WMAR, Channel 2
"It seems like yesterday that Proctor and Gamble was producing soap and powder there, but now it's Under Armour's new palace. The view from the deck is one of the best in Baltimore. It's like my secret getaway. Sometimes when nobody is around at night, I can just sit and listen to the soundtrack of the city."
