Hamburger

IN BALTIMORE'S continuing quest to unify the east and west sides of downtown, no recent change has made a bigger difference than the partial removal of the former Hamburger's clothing store at Fayette and Charles streets.For the first time in 30 years, it is possible to stand on the east side of Charles Street at Fayette and see the west side of town, rather than a dark tunnel, because a major visual barrier has been eliminated.The improvements are to continue this year with the reconstruction of the last remaining fragment of the Hamburger's store as a $6.1 million Downtown Center for the Johns Hopkins University's School of Continuing Studies.

Baltimore Gas and Electric Co., bowing to neighborhood pressure and the threat of a lawsuit, yesterday announced plans to sell the vacant Hamburger's building in Charles Center to attorney Peter G. Angelos for $1.5 million.Angelos, who owns the 22-story One Charles Center skyscraper adjacent to the Hamburger's building, was the most prominent member of a group of downtown property owners that objected to BGE's plans to convert the former retail hub to an alternative heating and air conditioning plant.

Albert Berney, a retired president the old Hamburger's men's clothing store who served on numerous civic boards, died of respiratory disease Tuesday at Keswick Multi-Care Center. The North Baltimore resident was 88. Born in Baltimore and raised in Reservoir Hill in the Esplanade apartments, he attended Park School and was a 1936 Polytechnic Institute graduate. He earned a degree in accounting at Antioch College in Ohio and was a lieutenant in the Navy in the South Pacific during World War II. In 1949, he became controller of the business founded by his great-grandfather Isaac Hamburger in 1850.

Wendy's International Inc. Shares climbed 42 cents, closing at $23.57. Billionaire investor Nelson Peltz, who offered to buy Wendy's in November, plans to nominate six directors to the hamburger chain's board.

On November 11, 2004, ROBERT I. H. HAMMERMAN; devoted son of the late Herman and Belle G. (nee Greenblatt) Hammerman; beloved brother of Caroline E. Goldsmith; beloved uncle of Heidi Goldsmith, Joy Goldsmith, Sharon (Goldsmith) Hamburger and Fred Goldsmith; beloved great-uncle of David Hamburger, Yael Hamburger and Daniel Goldsmith. Services and interment at Arlington Cemetery-Chizuk Amuno-Congregation, 4300 N. Rogers Avenue, on Sunday, November 14 at 10 A.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to The Lancers Walk for the Homeless of Greater Baltimore, P.O. Box 5633 (21210)

Former Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Orlando Brown will open Maryland's first Fatburger hamburger joint in August at a franchise location in Columbia. The new restaurant, in the Columbia Gateway shopping center, will be one of five that Brown plans to open in Maryland. His franchise expects to open five additional Fatburgers around Washington, with a first location planned near Howard University, executives with the Santa Monica, Calif.-based chain said. A planned College Park location, originally to be the first Maryland location, has been delayed.

ON SPRING WEEKENDS, as Easter approaches, my thoughts turn to the new suit I was forced to buy every year. It was always an intimidating experience, with a host of family critics along for the ride, each critiquing its fit, style and color.But at least there was the fun of a day spent in Baltimore's old downtown, a place where every corner seemed to be a crossroads of competing merchants and vocal customers. There is precious little of this left.And the years have not quieted my resentment at the way misguided urban renewal snuffed the life out of the neighborhood that housed Baltimore's menswear landmarks -- the old Style Plus, Hutzler Bros.

NEW YORK -- No one alive has more experience handicapping the Preakness than former Baltimore resident Rose Hamburger, who at the age of 105 touts horses for the New York Post under the moniker "Gamblin' Rose."She has seen all 11 Triple Crown champions, beginning with Sir Barton in 1919."I'll bet you never saw a woman 105," Hamburger said recently, her eyes sparkling as she greeted a visitor to her three-room Greenwich Village apartment. "Would you like a little sherry?"Dressed colorfully, made up impeccably, Gamblin' Rose asked her live-in companion to pour her guest a bit of sherry.

I don't usually review hamburger chains. In fact, in 30-some years of reviewing restaurants I don't think I've ever reviewed a hamburger chain. But Five Guys intrigued me. First of all, the almost local, Alexandria, Va.-based chain has gotten lots of positive press; and it's made a major move into Maryland, with eight places open and many more coming -- all in the past three years. Two particularly high profile locations were planned: the Inner Harbor and the spot on North Charles Street where Nouveau, the home furnishings store, used to be. (It turns out that the Nouveau location isn't going to happen, but the Harborplace Five Guys is up and running.

Beef Shakes reminds me of one of those old-fashioned hamburger shacks that are so hard to find these days: the ones open only in the summer, and usually near beaches and lakes, where everyone walks up to the outdoor counter barefoot to order their lunch. The major differences: It has a more extensive menu and a less bucolic location, on bustling Old Hanover Road. Also, Beef Shakes is open year-round. Poor:]