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10 Baltimore Businesses to Support During Black Business Month

Black Business Month is here, and it's time to celebrate our local entrepreneurs. Celebrated annually in August, Black Business Month was established in 2004 to acknowledge and appreciate Black-owned businesses and their contributions to our economy. Here are 10 Black-owned businesses in Baltimore you can support this month, and all year long! Fishnet Located in Mount Vernon Marketplace, Fishnet’s menu features items such as fish & chips, crab dip, and Baja fish wraps. At Fishnet, the quality of every plate served starts with the quality of its fresh fish, which is responsibly and sustainably source from regional waters whenever possible. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Fishnet (@eatfishnet) Cheezy Mike’s Food Emporium Also located in Mount Vernon Marketplace, Cheezy Mike’s serves up warm and gooey elevated comfort food with a cheese focus! Cheezy Mike's celebrates the place where food and entertainment intersect, and memories are created. The restaurant also offers vegan options! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Mount Vernon Marketplace (@mountvernonmarketplace) Taharka Brothers Ice Cream Well known for serving up classic flavors along with a constantly evolving roster of delightful, small-batch flavors beloved in Baltimore, Taharka Brothers’ award-winning ice cream lineup includes favorites like Honey Graham, Mintflix & Chillz, Key Lime Pie, and Caramel Crunch. Taharka Brothers is focused on creating an impactful, profitable business managed and operated by young adults from some of Baltimore’s most troubled neighborhoods. The menu features rotating seasonal and one-time flavors inspired by local happenings and a handful of “collaborations” with other local small businesses throughout the year! View this post on Instagram A post shared by TAHARKA Bros. Ice Cream (@taharkabros) The Doll House Boutique Since 2003, The Doll House Boutique has been committed to providing fashion that ranges from couture to simple and stylish staples and providing local designers with a platform to showcase their collections. The Doll House is in the heart of Mount Vernon, in a cozy boutique, where the infamous display window gets all the glory. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Doll House Boutique (@dollhousemtvernon) Pandora’s Box Boutique Pandora's box boutique is a mod, vibrant, ever-evolving privately-owned lifestyle store located in Federal Hill. Much like the city of Baltimore, the customers at Pandora's Box come from various backgrounds and have different stories, but they still have so much in common. The brands featured at Pandora’s Box support local designers, jewelry makers and artisans, and promote social change, individuality, support for women and overall happiness. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pandora's Box Boutique (@shoppandorasboxboutique) Drama MaMa Bookshop Drama MaMa bookshop is a “journal lovers paradise” featuring locally made journals and accessories. Through the workshops offered by the bookshop, you can also learn to create your own “book box” wooden bullet journals. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Drama Mama Bookshop 🤓📒 (@dramamamabookshop) Art of Balance Wellness Spa Art of Balance offers an unprecedented experience where guests can truly learn to balance it all. A destination within a destination, where the importance of discovering the best version of yourself is at your fingertips. The spa’s holistic approach to treating the entire person is about embracing who you are and exploring how the balance of mind, body and spirit is integral to bringing forth the best of you. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Art Of Balance Wellness Spa (@artofbalancespa) The Urban Oyster The Urban Oyster is both the first female and black-owned oyster bar in Maryland. The restaurant is “sort of a movement” for those who prefer quality food in a relaxed atmosphere! The menu features oysters in the raw, soups, steam pots and more! View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Urban Oyster (@theurbanoyster) Bar One Bar ONE is a dining experience curated for you. It’s about good people coming together in a space to be ONE…ONE vibration, ONE energy, ONE good time, ONE bar… Bar ONE. The menu features items including Jamaican oxtail dumpling stew, king crab legs, curry chicken and more! View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bar ONE Baltimore (@baronebaltimore) Off The Rox Wine & Beer Off the Rox is a wine and beer boutique, conveniently located in Highlandtown. The store offers an appreciable selection of wines and craft beers, all handpicked and carefully selected. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Off The Rox (@offtherox) Black Business Month gives us an opportunity to focus on a community that is too often underrepresented when it comes to access to capital and opportunities to build wealth. Join us in celebrating the Baltimore Black-owned businesses and their important contributions to our economy.

The Benefits of Renting Vs. Owning

Owning a home may be a lifelong goal for many Americans but that does not mean it is for everyone. After all, homeownership comes with inevitable headache and responsibility, which is why renting is a valid and appealing option for many! Here are five of the biggest benefits renting has over owning… 1. Smaller Upfront Cost The average American pays about 6% of their home’s value for their down payment, so even on a moderately-priced home, the upfront cost of buying a home can be substantial. While there are also upfront costs to renting (security deposit, pet deposit etc.), the cost of moving into an apartment should be far less compared to what you would spend on a home purchase. 2. Access to Amenities Most modern apartments feature several amenities for their Residents to enjoy. Twin Ridge Apartments offers a gated dog park, playground, tennis court, 24-hour fitness center, olympic-size pool and more! The best part is that all these amenities are included in the monthly rent! To have access to the same type of amenities as a homeowner would require expensive installations or monthly membership costs. 3. Lower Maintenance Costs Owning your own home means you are responsible for all the repairs and seasonal upkeep yourself. From shoveling the snow to cleaning the gutters to changing filters, a home’s maintenance never ends. On top of standard home upkeep also comes the cost of repairs, from smaller electrical repairs all the way up to costly roof and foundation repairs. As a renter, maintenance and repairs are someone else’s responsibility! There is someone else to shovel the walk, someone else to call in the middle of the night when there is an emergency and someone else to hire the contractors. As a Resident of Twin Ridge Apartments, you’ll enjoy 24-hour emergency maintenance, a professional on-site team ready to help, and the confidence of renting from WPM Real Estate Management - a well-established, award-winning management company that puts its residents first. 4. More Free Time Time is our most valuable resource, and the way that we choose to spend our hours adds up to the way that we spend our lives. Renters spend less time on household upkeep and home projects, which means more time for rest and leisure! 5. More Flexibility A lot can happen over the course of a 30-year mortgage. You might need to relocate for a job or want to be closer to an aging parent, or you might simply want a fresh start. Yet again, renting has a distinct advantage compared to owning as it offers more flexibility to the resident. If your circumstances change, and you need to move, it is much easier to get out of an apartment lease compared to a home mortgage. Come Home to Twin Ridge Apartments! Life here is a world away from the hectic, fast-paced life of the city, but is just a short ride away from all of the enjoyable activities that Baltimore has to offer. Located near Quarry Lake, Twin Ridge Apartments are convenient to Pikesville and Mt Washington. Contact us at (410) 653-0035 to schedule a tour!

7 Tips for Staying Hydrated This Summer

Water is one of most crucial elements for all living things. Every organ, cell, and tissue in our bodies use it to function properly, which is why drinking enough water every day is important. It can help control calories, keep your skin looking healthy, maintain normal bowel function, maintains the balance of body fluids and more . Not drinking enough water leads to dehydration, which can cause fatigue, thirst, lightheadedness, kidney stones and more . Because more water is lost through sweat during summer, it’s especially important to remember to stay hydrated in the warmer months. In recognition of National Hydration Day, here are 7 tips for staying hydrated this summer: Make Water Your Drink of Choice According to The U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, the adequate daily fluid intake for the average, healthy adult living in a temperate climate is about 15.5 cups a day for men and about 11.5 cups a day for women. To prevent dehydration and make sure your body has the fluids it needs, make water your beverage of choice. It's a good idea to drink a glass of water with each meal and between meals, before, during and after exercise and if you feel thirsty. Know the Signs of Dehydration Dehydration may be categorized as mild, moderate, and severe. Signs of mild or moderate dehydration include thirst, dry or sticky mouth, dark urine, headache, and muscle cramps. Anyone can get dehydrated, but the odds are higher for some people, including babies and young children, older adults, those who are ill, those who are breastfeeding, and people with chronic disease. If you think your symptoms of dehydration are severe, don’t hesitate to seek help! Dehydration can contribute to kidney stones , kidney failure and heatstroke , all life-threatening illnesses. Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if you have symptoms of severe dehydration . Eat Foods with High Water Content While drinking water itself is especially important for staying hydrated, you can also increase your water intake with the foods you eat. There are many healthy foods that can contribute a large amount of water to your diet, including watermelon, peaches, skim milk, celery, cottage cheese, and more ! Replenish When You Sweat The American Council on Exercise recommends drinking 7 to 10 ounces of fluid every 10 to 20 minutes during exercise. Remember to always carry a water bottle with you when exercising. This will allow you to take quick and easy sips of water during your workout. Limit Your Soda and Coffee Be careful about consuming too much caffeine or soda. Both caffeine and soda contain diuretic properties and too much can contribute to dehydration. Carry Around Water Always keep a bottle of water with you. Keep an easy-to-grab water bottle with you throughout your day and make sure that it's filled with plenty of water. Make Water More Appealing If you’re not a big water drinker and can’t seem to meet your recommended daily intake, try doing something to make your water more appealing to you. Add slices of fruit like lemon, lime, or orange. Infuse your water with fresh berries, Enhance your water with fresh mint. Jazz up that water so you make a healthier drink choice that still tastes good, looks appealing and quenches your thirst. Whatever the season, drinking water and staying hydrated should be part of your daily routine. Stay safe, cool, and hydrated this summer!

Baltimore's Summer Event Lineup

With Memorial Day Weekend coming to a close, summer is - unofficially - here! There’s tons of fun in the sun to be had in Baltimore this summer. So lather up that sunscreen; we’ve rounded up 12 can’t-miss events happening near us! AFRAM View this post on Instagram A post shared by Baltimore AFRAM (@baltimore_afram) The AFRAM Festival is a celebration of African American life, music and culture in Druid Hill Park this Juneteenth. Among the AFRAM’s headlining acts , The O’Jays will perform one of their last shows before heading into retirement . AFRAM Restaurant Week will also return June 12-19 . Some of Baltimore’s favorite, Black-owned eateries will create special dishes for everyone to enjoy! Baltimore Pride View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pride Center Of Maryland 🖤💜🤎🤍💙💚 ❤️ 🧡💛 (@baltimore_pride) One of the oldest Pride celebrations in the country, Baltimore Pride 2022 promises to host one of the most epic celebrations yet . Pride 2022 will feature events all month-long , including the official Pride kickoff and ribbon cutting ceremony on June 20 th ! Summer Restaurant Week View this post on Instagram A post shared by Baltimore Restaurant Week (@bmorerestaurantweek) Presented by Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and Visit Baltimore, Baltimore Restaurant Week returns starting July 22 nd for 10 days of affordable and exclusive tastes of the city’s vibrant culinary scene! Baltimore Restaurant Week features approximately 100 of the best dining establishments in central Maryland. Restaurants participating in Restaurant week will offer dining deals with including multi-course prix-fixe lunch, brunch and dinner menus. Bromo Art Walk View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bromo Arts District (@bromoartsdistrict) Experience the Bromo Arts District during a night of artistic performances, exhibits, and open studios this June 23 rd . Curate your own tour and visit the 20+ participating creative groups , including Baltimore Jazz Alliance, Everyman Theater, Lexington Market and more! B&O Farmers Market View this post on Instagram A post shared by B&O Railroad Museum (@borailroad) The B&O Farmers Market has returned for its third year this summer. Located in the front parking lot of the B&O Railroad Museum, the farmers market will be open from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM on Thursdays through September 29. The market plans to serve as a one-stop shop for fresh local produce, flowers, crafts and a variety of food and desserts. Baltimore By Baltimore View this post on Instagram A post shared by Waterfront Partnership (@waterfrontpartnership) Baltimore by Baltimore (BxB) is a music and makers festival series hosted every first Saturday of the month through October at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater. This free celebration of the music, makers, and munchies that make Baltimore truly special features rotating selection of emerging Baltimore producers. BMORE LIT: A Baltimore Summer Series View this post on Instagram A post shared by Baltimore Together (@baltimoretogether) Bmore Lit features events in and around Baltimore just for teens ! While the rest of the events are currently TBD, the series kicked off May 30 th with an event at Rash Field, which featured a live DJ, photo booth, gaming station and more! Baltimore 4th of July Celebration View this post on Instagram A post shared by BOPA (@promoandarts) 4th of July festivities are returning to the Harbor this summer! Enjoy an Independence Day filled with fun events like American Visionary Arts Museums’ Pet Parade, an Orioles vs. Ranges baseball game, live music performances, and of course, the fireworks! Cherry Hill Arts & Music Waterfront Festival View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cherry Hill Fest Baltimore (@cherryhillfest.baltimore) Returning for its 6 th year, this free festival will feature musical performances, food trucks, exhibits, vendors and a fireworks show overlooking the Patapsco River! The festival is being held at Middle Branch Park on the 4 th of July. Moonrise Festival View this post on Instagram A post shared by Moonrise Festival (@moonrisefest) Moonrise is back for the 2022 edition at Pimlico Race Course. This 2-day festival music festival will feature multiple stages and a lineup that will feature acts such as AC Slater, Lost Kings, Zedd and more. Made in Maryland Festival Kurtz’s Beach annual Made in Maryland Festival celebrates our great state with a festival be packed full of live music, live jousting, children’s activities, food, drink and local vendors and makers! Maryland Fleet Week and Flyover Baltimore 2022 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Maryland Fleet Week & Flyover Baltimore (@mdfleetweek) Maryland Fleet Week is coming back to Baltimore’s port September 7-13. The Maryland Fleet Week celebrates the rich maritime traditions of the Chesapeake Bay with visiting Navy and local ships as well as a variety of vessels. What's your favorite Bmore summer event? Let us know in the comments!

How to Clean Your Home After an Illness

While the idea of having to sanitize your entire home can be overwhelming, doing so after an illness can keep germs from spreading. Follow this guide to get your home back in shape after someone in your household has been sick. Clean and Disinfect When your household is healthy, simply wiping down surfaces with soapy water is a fine way to get rid of some germs and make things look tidy. But if someone in your home has been sick, you’ll also need to disinfect to destroy the illness-causing germs. To make sure you’ve got a product that will do the trick, look for a cleaner that specifically says “disinfectant.” You can also mix a quarter-cup of chlorine bleach with a gallon of hot water. In fact, the CDC recommends bleach to kill the stomach bug-causing norovirus on surfaces. If bleach will damage your surface , look for “phenolic solution” on the label of a concentrated disinfectant. Flu viruses can also be killed with hydrogen peroxide-based cleaners . Microwave Your Sponge Before You Start Because they’re often moist, your kitchen and bathroom sponges are perfect breeding grounds for bacteria. If someone’s sick, try cleaning with a microfiber cloth instead . If you really want to clean with a sponge, wet it and put it in the microwave for 2 minutes first . Doing so will kill 99.9% of the germs. Whether you choose a cloth or a sponge, be careful not to bring germs from one room to another on dirty cleaning tools. Use a different color for each room to keep them straight. Wear Gloves and Wash Your Hands Disposable rubber, vinyl, or latex gloves can help prevent the spread of germs while you clean while also protecting your skin from harsh products . When someone in your home is sick, toss the gloves when you're done so you don’t spread disease. Even if you’ve worn gloves the entire time you cleaned, make sure to thoroughly wash your hands when you’ve finished . Start in The Bathroom When your household is sick, your bathroom becomes even more of a germ hot spot. After a bug hits, disinfect this room with a mix of bleach and hot water. Don’t forget the toilet lever, shower faucets, cabinet handles, doorknobs, and light switches. While you’re in the bathroom, make sure to replace your toothbrushes after an illness . Disinfect The Kitchen Even when you’re healthy, the kitchen is the germiest place in your house , so it’s important to pay very special care to meal prep areas after someone in your home has been sick. Disinfect all the things you touch, like the refrigerator handle and inside drawers, coffeepot, microwave, faucets, and stove knobs. Wash dishes and utensils in 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of hot water. If you’re the one who’s ill, don’t cook until you haven’t had any symptoms for 48 hours . Reset The Bedrooms Wash dirty clothes, soiled linens, or stuffed toys right away with nonchlorine bleach in the hottest water possible, and dry on the hottest setting. Disinfect nightstands, bedposts, and changing tables, and look for things that could be germy. Wash pacifiers and hard toys in the dishwasher . Clean The Family Room When cleaning your living room or family room after an illness, don’t forget the sneaky hot spots like remote controls, computer keypads, doorknobs, light switches etc. Steam clean rugs and upholstery at 170 F for 5 minutes or 212 F for 1 minute to kill the stomach bug norovirus. Don’t Forget the Electronics To prevent damaging your electronics, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning, but don’t neglect these germy hotspots! When a bug strikes your home, it can live on your surfaces for as days or even weeks! Following the steps above will destroy these left-behind germs and keep sickness from spreading.

10 Places in Your Home You're Forgetting to Clean

You’ve cleaned the windows and changed the linens. You’re in full spring-cleaning mode and your home is feeling fresher than ever. But is it really? We’ve curated a list of the spots in your home that are most often left off the spring-cleaning list. So put on your favorite playlist and open the windows! It’s time to get cleaning! 1. Washing Machine It seems like the washing machine should always be clean, doesn’t it? But over time it can gather build-up and cause your clothes to smell not-so-fresh. Every washing machine is different, so make sure to find the cleaning method that’s best for yours. For most washing machines, you can use a mix of white vinegar with baking soda on the machine’s hottest cycle. Always remember: to keep your washing machine fresh and clean longer, leave the lid or door open between uses! 2. Dishwasher Yet another appliance that seems it should stay permanently clean, your dishwasher can accumulate hard-water deposits, soap scum and clogged food debris. To clean out your dishwasher, run a cycle on hot with a cup of white vinegar on the top rack. 3. Under Your Appliances Those large appliances aren’t easy to move, which is why the areas behind and beneath them is so often overlooked. However, taking the time to properly clean under your appliances can help prevent pest and allergies . 4. Ceiling Fans Overtime, the blades of your ceiling fans collect a layer of dust (especially the ones in your bedrooms). To prevent that dust from falling onto tabletops, mattresses, and other surfaces, put an old pillowcase over the fan blade to wipe the dust off and into the pillowcase. This method is quick, easy, and mess-free! Repeat this process for every fan blade. Once most of the dust has been knocked off with the pillowcase, you might prefer to then go back over each blade with an all-purpose cleaner . 5. Shower Curtains Liners Plastic shower curtain lines can collect mildew, dirt, and soap scum. Instead of tossing a dirty liner in the trash and buying a new one, try combining it with a batch of towels, laundry detergent and baking soda . 6. Trash Cans Your trash can is host to hundreds of bacteria per square inch . Not to mention, it likely omits an unpleasant odor despite how often you replace the trash bag. Make sure to scrub and deodorize those trash cans as part of your spring-cleaning checklist! 7. Coffeemaker You may clean your coffee pot regularly, but what about the coffeemaker itself? To really give your coffeemaker a super deep clean, run a cycle of equal parts white vinegar and water through it. Then run another cycle with water only to eliminate any lingering vinegar. It might not be the most pleasant smell, but this process will also help decalcify the machine and keep your coffee tasting its best. 8. Door Frames & Baseboards The tops of your door frames can collect a lot of dust, and because the area is out of sight, many of us neglect to clean it. Your baseboards are another spot that often goes unnoticed. They might look perfectly fine from afar, but up close you’ll notice a different story. One of dust, scuff marks and grime. Make sure to give these areas some TLC when you’re doing your spring cleaning. Listen, if you are going to someone's house for Thanksgiving, compliment their baseboards. That is what they are spending today cleaning. — Simon Holland (@simoncholland) November 20, 2017 9. Curtains Most curtains are machine-washable and dryer-friendly, but double check yours just in case. Throughout the year, things like dust, pollen, and cat fur (it must be nice to sit in a sunny window all day) will build up on your curtains. Give them a good vacuum and then toss them in the wash! 10. Throw Pillows You likely wash your pillowcases and sheets as part of your regular cleaning routine, but how often do those throw pillows get washed? Just like any other linen in your home, throw pillows can collect dust, dirt, food, and dead skin. Vacuum up the dust or dander with a handheld vacuum and spot clean any stains. Some throw pillows are machine washable , so check to see the best care for yours! We hope this will help you get the nooks and crannies of your home extra clean and fresh for the spring!