Calvert Street

After a three-year struggle involving state officials and city merchants, the new Bladen Street parking garage is open to the public on weekday evenings and weekends, Annapolis officials announced. The 725-space garage, which was completed last month at the corner of Calvert Street, will offer free parking on weekends and from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. weekdays. Any vehicles left after 6 a.m. will be towed. Local business owners were pleased with the Friday announcement. "I think it's fantastic," said Chance Walgran, a member of the Annapolis Business Association.

At high noon yesterday, motorists heading north on Calvert Street as they approached Lexington Street could not help but notice the clanging and banging as workers labored to move the large bronze statue. It is probably the most attention the monument has received in its 30-plus years at the north end of Battle Monument Plaza, which sits in the middle of the 100 block of N. Calvert St. For years, the 13-foot-tall statue, which is dedicated to black soldiers, stood facing north on Calvert.

For the first time in Annapolis, serious consideration is being given to a major outdoor art show as a city panel weighs in Tuesday on a proposal allowing a series of murals in public spaces as part of the city's celebration of its 300-year-old charter. For an old city, the new idea is viewed -- with cautious optimism from backers -- as a way to bring in the 21st century. About a dozen pieces would be included in the exhibit. "This brings art to people, not people to art," Sally Wern Comport, the Artwalk project curator, said in her West Street studio.

THE PROBLEM -- Delivery trucks and construction vehicles routinely block the left lane of Calvert Street north of Pratt Street near Baltimore's Inner Harbor. This narrows a central route into downtown and causes traffic problems, sometimes backing cars onto Interstate 395 during the morning rush hour. THE BACKSTORY -- There are several no-parking and no-stopping signs along Calvert Street between Pratt and Baltimore streets, warning that illegally parked vehicles will be towed. The traffic problem is made worse by construction that takes up a lane of Calvert Street in that area.

There he was yesterday, almighty Bruce Willis himself, standing atop a car at Calvert and Fayette streets, stripping off his brown leather jacket seconds after a dump truck rammed into a bus with helicopters whirling overhead. But all around the theatrical explosions and screeching of the Live Free or Die Hard filming outside the city's courthouses yesterday was real screeching, honking and even some screaming as gridlock seized Baltimore's streets. Police cars and ambulances struggled to get by (There was even a Mercy Medical Center detour)

Filming of movie to close numerous city streets Numerous downtown Baltimore streets will be closed this weekend and on future days for filming of the movie Live Free or Die Hard, featuring Bruce Willis. South Street and Guilford Avenue will be closed from Baltimore to Lombard streets from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. tomorrow. Commerce Street between Baltimore and Lombard streets will also be closed tomorrow between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Wednesday and Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Calvert Street will be closed from Baltimore to Lexington streets, and Fayette Street will be closed between Guilford Avenue and St. Paul Street.

Remembrrance `Walk' recalls Sept. 11, military A "Freedom Walk," commemo rating those killed in the Sept. 11 attacks and recognizing current and veteran military members, starts this morning at 9 a.m. (people may start gathering at 8:30 a.m.) from the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Stadium, Rowe Boulevard in Annapolis. Partici pants will walk to the Fallen Firefighters Memorial at Rowe Boulevard and Calvert Street, where a color-guard presenta tion, music and speeches will commence at 10 a.m. Among the speakers are Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. and Annapolis Mayor Ellen O. Moyer.

The wrecking ball completed its work this week when it leveled "No. 10 Downing Street," the old cafeteria on the east side of Calvert between Baltimore and Fayette streets whose real name was Bickford's. For decades, it had been one of Baltimore's most storied and hallowed political hangouts. And now, to passers-by and sidewalk superintendents, the only thing remaining of the demolished building is the brick-lined footprint of its cellar, which no doubt will soon give way to the rapacious demands of its wreckers.

Art festival -- The Inner West Street Association will present the First Sunday Arts Festival from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday in the first block of West Street from Church Circle to Calvert Street. It will feature artists, vendors and crafts, live music, street performers and sidewalk dining. Jeff Antoniuk's Jazz Band master classes will perform in Wiseman Park. Free. 410-990-4540.