Port Discovery

Maryland: Judiciary Web site offers data on court cases Maryland courts have begun offering a free Internet site where the public can find basic information about traffic, criminal and civil cases. The site - http:--casesearch.courts.state. md.us - provides access to cases in all district and circuit courts, except Montgomery and Prince George's counties' circuit courts. It includes trial date, charge and names of defendants and plaintiffs but not contact details. This is the first phase of putting case data online, said Bob Bruchalski, deputy director for judicial information systems.

Glittering confetti fell from the third-floor balcony. Bow tie-clad members of the jazz band Charm City Revival broke into "Auld Lang Syne." And revelers shook their noisemakers. But 3-year-old Izzy Wallace's eyelids slid down like windowpanes, her head dug into her grandmother's chest and legs straddling her hips. It was the stroke of 12 - noon. Yesterday, several hundred children toasted the New Year early (with milk) at Port Discovery, Baltimore's children's museum. Many parents said their goal was to exhaust their children enough so that the adults could have a few quiet hours before midnight.

Glittering confetti fell from the third-floor balcony. Bow tie-clad members of the jazz band Charm City Revival broke into "Auld Lang Syne." And revelers shook their noisemakers. But 3-year-old Izzy Wallace's eyelids slid down like windowpanes, her head digging into her grandmother's chest and legs straddling her hips. It was the stroke of 12 - noon. Yesterday, several hundred children toasted the New Year early (with milk) at Port Discovery, Baltimore's children's museum. Hours later, tens of thousands packed the Inner Harbor, dancing, chatting, bundling up little ones and prepping for the midnight fireworks.

MUSEUM AMERICAN DIME MUSEUM CLOSING The American Dime Museum has long been lauded as one of Baltimore's most unique attractions. Unfortunately, it will close its doors permanently Saturday at 5 p.m. If you've never been or want to get in one last visit, now's your chance. ....................... The American Dime Museum, 1808 Maryland Ave., will close permanently on Saturday at 5 p.m. Hours are noon-3 p.m. today and tomorrow, and noon-5 p.m. Saturday. Admission is $5; $3 for ages 7-12; free for ages 6 and younger.

The Cordish Co. has won city approval to build a 34-story residential tower atop an underground Metro station in downtown Baltimore on the former site of the Port Discovery HiFlyer balloon, the city's economic development agency said yesterday. The $70 million proposal - one of two alternatives the developer submitted for the city-owned site at President and East Baltimore streets - will include a mixed-use development of up to 250 condominiums and apartments, street-level entertainment-oriented retailers and parking.

A 34-story residential tower would rise atop an underground Metro station in downtown Baltimore under a proposal to redevelop the former site of the defunct Port Discovery HiFlyer balloon, the city's economic development agency said yesterday. The Baltimore Development Corp. is considering the proposal from Baltimore-based developer Cordish Co. for a $70 million, mixed-use development with up to 250 condominiums and apartments, a street-level entertainment-oriented retailer and parking.

This schedule will be in effect in the Baltimore area tomorrow: Anne Arundel County Howard County County offices closed Courts closed Libraries closed Public schools closed Trash removal -- no pickup, landfills closed Other services, attractions Banks, S&Ls closed Federal offices closed Federal courts closed Postal service -- No home delivery, special and express mail delivery only State offices closed MVA offices closed VEIP stations closed...

With the colorful balloon that once soared above the city grounded for good, Baltimore development officials are looking to fill its prime downtown site with a more grounded attraction. The city's development agency is asking for proposals to turn the half-acre lot at President and Baltimore streets, home to a helium balloon ride since 2001, into a mixed-use development with "unique retail" on the ground floor. Next door to the Port Discovery children's museum, near Power Plant Live's sprawling assortment of nightlife options, and just two blocks from the Inner Harbor, the site offers an opportunity to bolster Baltimore's menu of downtown attractions.

Financially struggling Port Discovery received debt relief yesterday from city officials who agreed to allow the downtown children's museum to delay repaying $4 million in loans that were coming due in December. The city's five-member Board of Estimates unanimously approved a request from the Baltimore Development Corp. to modify its loan agreement with Port Discovery's nonprofit operating company. The deal allows the Baltimore Children's Museum Inc. to repay the interest-free loans by Dec. 31, 2009, instead of at the end of this year, allowing its executives time to continue on a newly implemented business plan aimed at improving Port Discovery's operations.