Fells Point

WEATHER:   Mostly cloudy, with dense morning fog and a high near 86 . Wednesday night is expected to be mostly cloudy, with a low around 69. TRAFFIC: Check our traffic updates for this morning's issues. TOP NEWS Death in police custody ruled a homicide : The state medical examiner has determined that an East Baltimore man's death in police custody last month was a homicide caused by blunt force trauma, which conflicts with earlier assertions that he died from choking on drugs.

Fells Point has been named one of the nation's great neighborhoods by the American Planning Association, a nonprofit organization of community planners. On Tuesday, the association designated the waterfront community in southeast Baltimore as one of 10 “Great Neighborhoods of 2012.” “APA singled out Fells Point, one of America's most important Colonial and Civil War seaports, for its historic maritime role, character and charm, architecture, and preservation efforts,” the group said in a statement.

Kooper's North, the new pub in Mays Chapel, has been open only since the end of August. But judging by the crowds, it has already developed quite a reputation. At this point, that reputation is mostly deserved. Like its sister restaurants in Fells Point — Kooper's Tavern, Slainte Irish Pub, and Woody's Rum Bar — Kooper's offers a clever gourmet spin on pub-friendly burgers and sandwiches. However, service at the Mays Chapel outpost hasn't achieved the high standards set by the city locations.

Dirty Carrots, whose all-vegan salted caramel cupcakes and whoopie pies, have become a popular presence at farmers' markets, is opening a full-time bakery cafe in Fells Point. Dirty Carrots joins three other Baltimore Farmers' Market vendors who have recently spun their market success into fixed locations. The Verandah, a retail and lunch spot on the Avenue in Hampden, is from Radhika Sule of Roland Park Rustic Gourmet. Nikki Lewis' marshmallow treats are now served at the Mallow Bar, a dessert cafe she opened February in Rosedale.

Baltimore detectives are searching for a man they suspect in multiple robberies in Fells Point over the past month, and are asking for the public's help in identifying him. The robberies began July 20, with the latest occurring around midnight Thursday on Lancaster Street, police said. Most have happened between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m., police said. The crimes were the latest robberies to occur in high-traffic areas, including the Inner Harbor, downtown and Federal Hill. Baltimore police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi described the Fells Point robberies as "typically all the same.

Willow, a new Latin-fusion lounge and bar in Fells Point, aims to dazzle. The elegant, dimly lit upstairs is lined with plush seating, including two large leather couches in its center. Downstairs, a back lounge and front-of-the-house seating area play bookends to the striking, triangular-shaped bar. A large, vintage-looking chandelier anchors the layout. The immaculate liquor bottle display makes quite a centerpiece behind the bar. The spare backlighting draws you in, and the three rows of mid- to top-shelf liquors are presented like trophies.

It's true: Michael Phelps' Fells Point condo has sold, and the most decorated Olympian of all time took a significant loss. TMZ originally reported a sale last week without attribution. Now the property, 967 Fell Street, is listed under the "Sold" category on real estate agent Heidi Krauss' website. A source at the office confirmed that the property, listed for $1.42 million, sold for $1.25 million. Phelps purchased the home in October 2007 for $1.69 million. Though Phelps declined to disclose where he'd be moving, he did tell The Sun that he always plans to have a home in Baltimore.

Shots often take the night from 0 to 60, leading to mixed results. But the team at the newly opened Fells Point lounge, Willow, want to change the shot's reputation with their menu of creative, craft shots, smartly called Abbreviations. Think "cocktails in miniature. " Lead bartender Julia Momose explains that all 11 Abbreviations are designed around infused spirits that she makes fresh and in-house. All of the infusions featured can be turned into full-size cocktails, an idea owner Ryan Perlberg hopes will "invigorate customers and bring something different to Fells Point.

Wedding Day: August 18, 2012 Her story: Nola Dobratz, 33, grew up in Chicago, Ill. She lives in Fells Point and is marketing director for Radcliffe Jewelers. Her father, Walter Dobratz, is deceased. Her mother, Nola Dobratz, is a retired accountant. His story: Christian Martin, 34, grew up in Reisterstown. He lives in Fells Point and is global category manager for DSM Nutritional Products. His father, Dave Martin, is a University of Maryland senior extension agent. His mother, Rose Martin, is a Carroll County family and consumer science high-school teacher.

Ryan Perlberg's mark on Fells Point continues to grow at a rapid rate. On July 13, after three months of preparation, the Stuggy's and Rye co-owner opened Willow, his third establishment in the popular Baltimore neighborhood. Willow is a Latin-fusion lounge focusing on Rye mixologist Doug Atwell and Julia Momose's hand-crafted cocktails and Stuggy's chef Benjamin Poison's take on Mexican food. If Perlberg's expansion resembles a corner of a "Monopoly" board - Stuggy's, Rye and Willow are all next to each other on South Broadway - it was not by design, he says.