Downtown Baltimore

A man was stabbed and seriously injured Monday night in downtown Baltimore, according to city police. The attack occurred shortly before 9 p.m. in front of an M&T Bank branch near West Fayette and South Eutaw streets, said Det. Nicole Monroe, a city police spokeswoman. Details of the incident were not available. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital, though police said the man's injuries did not appear to be life-threatening. The stabbing was near the Hippodrome Theater, which did not have any events scheduled Monday night, and close to several other attractions.

A woman was seriously injured Monday evening when she walked into the side of a moving light rail train at Lombard and Howard streets, just west of Baltimore's downtown, officials said. The accident occurred about 5:35 p.m., halting trains and forcing police to close off several streets during the evening rush hour. Trains were back and service and streets reopened about 6 p.m., police said. Terry Owens, a spokesman for the Maryland Transit Administration, said the woman struck the right front corner of the train, apparently while trying to cross the tracks that run north and south on Howard Street.

Add another problem to the mounting woes for the financially troubled organizers of Baltimore's inaugural Grand Prix auto race — the company has missed all its deadlines for planting trees downtown to make up for those cut down for the Labor Day weekend event. Not one of the 198 trees promised by Baltimore Racing Development has been planted, even though it had pledged to get them all in by late last week, according to Beth Strommen, director of the city's office of sustainability.

Downtown Baltimore's only legit dog space is re-opening! And it's a safe bet that most folks didn't even know that it was closed.... or even existed. But this week, it's a chance for downtown dog folks to get re-aquainted (or, aquainted) with the Liberty Park Dog Walk, which people can find at the convergence of Park Avenue, West Fayette and West Baltimore streets. There'll be a Yappy Hour in the mini-park on Thursday evening, from 6 to 8 p.m. It's free, sponsored by Downtown Partnership and the 39 W. Lexington residences.

Baltimore's annual Summer Restaurant Week kicks off its sixth run on Friday, Aug. 5 and will run through Aug.14. During the 10-day event, participating restaurants will offer 3-course fixed-price dinner menus for $35.11 per person, not including liquor, tax or gratuity. Select restaurants will also offer a three-course lunch menu for $20.11. A few restaurants are already offering special deals and discounts for their customers. Examples include $10 gift cards from City Café to be used during future visits and complimentary house wine or house cocktail on the customer's next visit at the Mt. Washington Tavern.  A Summer Restaurant week kick-off event on Wednesday, Aug.3, from noon to 2 p.m. at the Harborplace Amphitheater, will have celebrity judges and the general public critiquing appetizers submitted by participating restaurants.

Maryland really began to turn in the roaster Thursday, joining much of the rest of the country, now deep in the summer's worst heat wave. The mercury reached 103 degrees in downtown Baltimore, with a heat index reading of 117 degrees. It was 100 at BWI-Marshall Airport, four degrees short of a record. There is little relief in sight. The region could see some scattered thunderstorms Friday or Saturday afternoon. But forecasters don't expect much of a palpable break from the suffocating weather until a weak cold front arrives late Sunday.

John Houser III reviews Cazbar in Friday's Live section. Someone spread it around that Cazbar, an "authentic Turkish taverna" in Downtown Baltimore, had closed. It was I, Richard Gorelick. I'd feel much less guilty about that whole ugly episode if you read John's review of Cazbar . It includes a revelatory moment, the sure feeling of eating the best version possible of a thing. Find out what what it was.  

Fans of H&M will be happy to know that the Swedish retailer will open its new store at Baltimore's Inner Harbor later this month. The opening for the retailer known for its cheap chic fashion is planned for May 19 at noon. H&M at Harborplace & The Gallery will offer ladies, men's and children's clothes. It will also have separate sections for denim, accessories, maternity and lingerie. In celebration of opening day, H&M will offer the first 200 shoppers in line an H&M T-shirt and Access to Fashion Pass, valued from $10 to $300.

The current proposal from the developer of Baltimore's Superblock departs drastically from a shared vision for the west side — one that leverages distinctive historic buildings and a mass transit system with progressive, world-class redevelopment. In the metropolitan competition for jobs, retail and residents, Baltimore's primary market edge comes from the ambiance derived from its extraordinary architecture and cultural heritage. What makes Baltimore a unique and beautiful place in which to live and work also makes the city a wonderful place to visit.

Upscale women's boutique White House Black Market said it is opening at Harbor East next month, two years after it moved its flagship store from downtown Baltimore. The retailer, which specialized in black and white apparel and shoes, is expected to open at the corner of Aliceanna and Harbor East Circle on Apr. 28. White House Black Market opened its first location at Baltimore's Harborplace at the Inner Harbor in 1985. But it closed the store two years ago because it said it wasn't doing as much business as it had liked.