Mount Royal

Numerous streets near the Maryland Institute College of Art will be closed as workers prepare for the Artscape celebration that begins Friday, according to the city's Department of Transportation. Dolphin Street between Mount Royal Avenue and Howard Street closed on Friday and will remain shut to traffic through 5 p.m. July 22. Starting 7 a.m. today through July 22, these streets will be off-limits to traffic: * The northside and southside curb lanes of Mount Royal Avenue from North to Maryland avenues.

Artscape expands and becomes a little "greener" this year. But the 27-year-old arts festival, the largest, free public event of its kind in the country, maintains a flavorful and eclectic musical lineup. In a news conference at Penn Station yesterday, Mayor Sheila Dixon announced the new additions and musical lineup for this year's Artscape, set for July 18-20. The marquee names on the Main Stage, at Mount Royal Avenue and Cathedral Street, include Grammy-winning R&B sensation Ne-Yo, reggae legends the Wailers, rock veterans Joan Jett & the Black Hearts and the alt-rock band Rusted Root.

My friend and neighbor Nick Prevas explained the other evening about how he became historian of the local Greek community. He was 13 years old and at a cousin's funeral. His father, Michael, was greeting the assembled family members and told him to call everyone aunt or uncle. Then, after the wake was over, his father drew him a diagram, a family tree. Nick caught genealogy fever on the spot and that soon morphed into his current opus, House of God ... Gateway to Heaven.

A male driver and his female companion were fatally shot last night on a Bolton Hill street in what police believe was a road rage confrontation. The names of the victims, both described as adults, were being withheld pending notification of family members, a police spokesman said. Witnesses told police that about 6 p.m., a man and woman in a white Ford Crown Victoria were involved in a verbal dispute with two men in a green Volkswagen Jetta while the vehicles were westbound on West North Avenue not far from Mount Royal Avenue, said Agent Donny Moses, the spokesman.

THE PROBLEM -- Crumbling or nonexistent curb cuts at crosswalks near the Lyric Opera House THE BACKSTORY -- Sharon Matcuk had a lot of trouble getting to the Lyric Opera House to see Johnny Mathis last month. A lifelong fan of the pop singer - she first saw him when she was a teenager - Matcuk and her husband parked in the lot near the Mount Royal Station building of Maryland Institute College of Art and had to cross Mount Royal Avenue to get to the theater. But the Timonium resident has multiple sclerosis and uses a wheelchair or scooter.

On a recent humid evening, the granite tower of the old Mount Royal Station stood out along Cathedral Street. Its bright back-lighted clock reminded me: It's time to take a seat for the entertainment season. Over the years, it has become a personal beacon, one that I associate with ticket stubs and good times. This landmark clock tower, now part of the Maryland Institute College of Art, is part of the station where I made my first train excursion in 1953. For 10 cents, you could ride from Camden Station to Mount Royal.

On July 27, 2007 FRED E. WORTHINGTON. Devoted and loving husband of Anne R. Gossett, beloved father of Ashton Scott and his wife Tina March. A memorial service will be held Thursday, August 16 at 3:00 PM at Maryland Institute College of Art's Brown Center, 1301 Mount Royal Avenue in Baltimore. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations be sent to Fred E. Worthington Memorial Fund, MICA, 1300 Mount Royal Avenue, Baltimore MD 21217, or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 11350 McCormick Road, Executive Plaza lll, Suite 100, Hunt Valley, MD 21031.

When artists turn their brains, eyes and palettes toward food, interesting things happen. What they serve up is usually not standard fare, but it can be intriguing, a different way to look at eating. I say this as Artscape, the city's annual sweltering carnival of music, street food, crafts and art, is about to begin. I can't avoid Artscape. I live a few blocks away, close enough to run over and grab a sandwich, or roasted vegetables on a stick. In search of supper, I usually happen upon some culture, perhaps catching a glimpse of pieces of sculpture set up in the median of Mount Royal Avenue.

Music Sun/Live! Stage 1400 Cathedral St. at Mount Royal Avenue Today noon --Carl Filipiak, jazz 1:30 p.m. --Charles "Big Daddy" Stallings, blues 3 p.m. --TBD 4:30 p.m. --Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, soul/blues 6:30 p.m. --Michael Franti and Spearhead, roots reggae United Way Stage Mount Royal Avenue near Lafayette Street Today noon --Guy Robinson and Friends, contemporary gospel 1:30 p.m. --Junkyard Saints, zydeco 3 p.m. --Mikey Jr. and...

Artscape, Baltimore's celebration of the visual and performing arts, continues today in the 1200 block of Mount Royal Ave. Today's events include free performances by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Here are some of the other happenings today: MUSIC Sun/Live! Stage, 1400 Cathedral St. at Mount Royal Avenue 12:30 p.m. -- David Bach, jazz 2 p.m. -- Rhumba Club, Latin 3:30 p.m. -- Ultra Nate featuring DJ Spen and The MuthaFunks, club 6:30 p.m. -- Goapele, neo-soul 8:30 p.m. -- Common, hip-hop/rhythm and blues United Way Stage, Mount Royal Avenue near Lafayette Street 12:30 p.m. -- Nightstreet, blues 2 p.m. -- Groove Stu, neo-soul 3:30 p.m. -- Justin Jones, alternative country 5 p.m. -- Lake Trout, indie rock 6:30 p.m. -- Secret Machines, indie rock 8:30 p.m. -- G-Love and Special Sauce, hip-hop/blues University of Baltimore Stage, University of Baltimore parking lot at Oliver Street and Mount Royal Avenue, inside the Artscape Food Court Noon -- Unity Reggae Band, reggae 2 p.m. -- The Deep End, rock 3:30 p.m. -- Johnstone, roots reggae 5 p.m. -- Marc Evans, classic soul 6:30 p.m. -- Pale Stars, indie rock 8:30 p.m. -- Chopteeth, Afro funk DJ Culture Stage, Mount Royal Avenue and Charles Street Noon-2 p.m. -- Actual Fact 2 p.m.-4 p.m. -- All Good Funk Alliance (Funk Weapons)