Where We Live : Old Catonsville Lovably Eccentric

Where We Live
Old Catonsville: Lovably eccentric
By Laura Barnhardt Cech
Special to The Washington Post
Friday, December 10, 2010; 9:26 AM

If you live in Catonsville, you plunk your lawn chair on the main street to reserve your spot for the Fourth of July parade - weeks ahead of the big day. You are loyal to a snowball stand. And, residents say, you try never to leave.


Where We Live: Old Catonsville: Lovably eccentric
A closer look at the community

The quirks of this Baltimore County college town, including a profusion of music stores, endear it to its residents. And its location close to the Penn Line of the MARC train and Interstate 95, makes it convenient for both D.C. and Baltimore commuters.
For that reason, the community draws many couples who commute in opposite directions.
"A lot of people split the difference and end up here," said Marybeth Graf-Brohawn, an agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Catonsville and a longtime resident.
"It's thought of as this little place, but it has so much," Graf-Brohawn said. Within its borders, it has the flagship campus of the Community College of Baltimore County and the University of Maryland Baltimore County, where a technology incubator continues to expand. It is also home to the 110-acre retirement community of Charlestown.
There are more than a dozen neighborhoods, including Old Catonsville, an enclave with about 350 houses in the center of the unincorporated town.
In Old Catonsville, and Catonsville in general, the real estate market hasn't been as been beaten up as it has in other communities. "We dropped less and we dropped later," said Meg Christian, Graf-Brohawn's real estate partner.
There weren't as many wild escalations at the height of the market, and there aren't as many foreclosures now.
"It's fairly common for people to move street to street," Christian says. "People don't want to leave."
Dorothy Noble and her husband are among them.
The proximity to Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport, Baltimore and the District was ideal for her husband, Dan, a project manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. But it also was an easy commute for Noble, an account manager for AEG Environmental in Westminster, Md.
The couple, with three sons, liked the area so much that when they outgrew their first house in Catonsville, they bought an 1890s farmhouse in Old Catonsville.
"We love it here - the quaint 1950s feel of the town," said Noble, who is president of the Old Catonsville Neighborhood Association, which covers all but a few streets in the neighborhood and oversees events including caroling and cleanup days.
Like a lot of Catonsville's neighborhoods, Old Catonsville has a mix of Victorians (several of which have been converted into apartments), Colonials, American foursquares and ranchers).
"There's an incredible range of prices and ages of houses," said Christian, a longtime resident of the area.
In Old Catonsville, for example, four homes listed for sale, ranging from a $120,000 three-bedroom, one-bathroom ranch-style home advertised as a "fixer-upper" to a $327,900 four-bedroom, 31/2-bathroom updated Colonial.
A $489,500 five-bedroom, 21/2-bathroom American foursquare was recently under contract.
The neighborhood is also home to Catonsville's two longtime snowball stands, which are separated by a 7-Eleven and an Italian deli. (You may recognize the icy treat by its other name, snow cone.) Locals are often fiercely partisan about the stands and almost always exclusively patronize one or the other.
"You can go to the ice cream shop on Frederick Road without feeling like you're betraying anyone because they have hand-dipped ice cream," rather than the soft-serve variety served up at the snowball stands, said resident Kayleen Reese, laughing.
A year ago, Reese, a teacher who lives in Catonsville's Summit Park neighborhood, and her husband, Mike,moved four blocks. The family who they bought from moved five blocks away.
The Reeses and their three children enjoy the proximity to Washington and Baltimore and being able to walk to church, school, the library, the post office, restaurants and Patapsco State Park, which is known for its trails and mountain-biking terrain.
"We have the convenience of a city but not that scale," Reese said.
Several new restaurants and coffee shops have opened in the past several years along the main street through town, Frederick Road, which also has so many music stores that Catonsville calls itself "Music City, Maryland."
On Friday nights during the summer, free concerts are held on Frederick Road. On Sundays, musicians perform at an outdoor theater on the grounds of the recently renovated high school.
Performances and fireworks are also staged at Catonsville High School on the Fourth of July. But the big draw is the town's parade.
Weeks before the holiday, residents start putting out their lawn chairs to reserve spots on Frederick Road to watch the parade of marching bands, floats, cars and local celebrities. (Every year, at least one joker puts out a lawn chair on New Year's Day.)
"Some families have been sitting in the same spot every year for decades," said Graf-Brohawn, who along with Christian places thousands of small American flags in yards around town.
"In Catonsville, the Fourth of July is a high holiday," Christian said.
Noble and her husband were initially aghast at the chairs lining Frederick Road when they first moved to Catonsville. "You think, 'Oh, that's tacky.' But after being here, you love the tradition. Now my husband is one of the first ones out there with the chairs."

Notes for Nourishment

Two World Renown Musicians to perform, for the, First Time in Baltimore!

Donna Stoering is an international concert pianist and singer, Grammy Award Nominee and Founder of - Listen for Life.

Erin Nolan is an internationally known musician and founder of - Notes for Nourishment.

These will be unique and intimate performances, by, two very talented artists. The program will conclude with audience sing-alongs to Christmas Carols.

Two Shows

Thursday, December 2nd at 3pm
Our Lady of the Angels Chapel
711 Maiden Choice Lane

Thursday, December 2nd at 7pm
Little Sister's if the Poor
St. Martins Home
601 Maiden Choice Lane

FREE - but, they will be collecting donations for Little Sisters of the Poor.

For more information contact:
Amelia Arnold
410 744 9367 x166

Crabs for Christmas

Crabs For Christmas Concert

Featuring Baltimore's own
David DeBoy & his Holiday Hons

Rolling Road Golf Club
410-747-5194

Sunday, December 12th
Arrive: 5:30pm
Dinner: 6PM
Show Begins: 7PM

Cost:
Adults $35
Children under 12, $20
Includes Dinner

Santa Stumble

Plan to attend the 2nd Annual C-Ville Santa Stumble,
Saturday, December 4, 2010.

Check-In will be held at the Sea Hut Inn,
5:00—6:00 pm

Tax deductible $20 registration fee = long sleeve tee, Santa hat and wrist band entitling partipants to discounts and specials at various businesses along Frederick Road.

An updated list and schedule will be provided at check-in the evening of the Stumble.

Proceeds benefit the Comet Park Renovation Project at Catonsville High School. Last year's Stumble was attended by 120 merrymakers raising $3,000 for the project.

Please consider bringing a couple of friends and joining us! It is a great way to kick off the holiday season! Contact Sue Plitt if you have any questions.

Open Mic Nite

Open Mic Night
at
Trax on Wax

On the second & fourth Tuesday every month Trax on Wax owner Gary Gebler host a broad range of musicians for an Open Mic Night. Signup starts at around 6pm and music is from 7-10pm. Trax on Wax is located at 709 Frederick Road

410-869-8729

Store Hours:
M-F 11am - 8pm
Sat: 11am - 6PM
Sun: 12 noon -4pm

Santa House

Santa's Coming To Town





This Saturday is a special day in Catonsville. Yep, you guessed it, it's the day that Santa comes to town. For 16 years, Catonsvillians have been gathering to ring in the season with the lighting of the town Christmas Tree and the welcoming of the jolly red-suited toy giver. The festivities start at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 27th. So bring out the family for a night of music, cookie and cocoa, and good friends. The evening is entirely free and it's always a hit.

Santa House Hours:

Fridays 6–8 p.m; Dec. 3, 10 & 17

Saturdays 2–4 p.m; Dec. 4, 11 & 18

Sunday, Dec. 19, 2–5 p.m.

Explore Baltimore County: Catonsville wakes up and smells the coffee

Explore Baltimore County: Catonsville wakes up and smells the coffee

Downtown Catonsville woke up Friday morning to the smell and sight of thermoses full of organic coffee as Six Mile Coffee enjoyed a quiet opening at 6 a.m. at its new location at 609 Frederick Road.

Inside, a gleaming pastry case was filled with Danish pastries, cinnamon twists, Halloween-themed cupcakes and pies from Sweet, a bakery that owner Chris Sikora owns and runs in nearby Ellicott City.

The coffee shop also offers a menu of sandwiches, soups, salads and bread pizzas made in a high-speed oven.

Sikora estimated that half-dozen customers had trickled in by 9 a.m.

Sikora said the coffee shop will have its grand opening Saturday, featuring a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce at 9 a.m.

Located in the former Chesapeake Bank building near Catonsville Elementary School, the coffee shop also includes a drive-through window for commuters.

“It’s super exciting,” said manager Michelle McClelland, who lives just inside the Baltimore City line and can walk to work.

A former Starbucks employee, McClelland moved to the area earlier this year from Lynchburg, Va.

“I much prefer the local thing,” said McClelland, who said that the products at Six Mile Coffee are economically sustainable and as “green” as possible.

“We recycle,” she said. “We do all the stuff that Starbucks doesn’t do.”

Ellicott City resident Kevin Hardy, Sikora’s pastor at Crossroads Church on Rogers Avenue in Ellicott City, stopped in to buy a cup of coffee and an apple Danish.

“I love coffee,” said Hardy, who said that with many of his parishioners living in the area, he would use the business as a meeting place in the future.

The coffee shop’s Wi-Fi makes it a convenient place to have a cup of coffee and surf the Internet, he said.

“It really looks good,” Hardy said. “I think he’s done a great job (of) really making it warm and friendly.”

Six Mile coffee will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sundays.

Six Mile Coffee

Java junkies have new place to fuel up
'Six Mile Coffee' stirs up competition on Frederick Road
By Alan J. McCombs and Lauren Fulbright
lfulbright@patuxent.com





It's full steam ahead for Chris Sikora as he prepares for the grand opening of Six Mile Coffee on Frederick Road on Saturday, Oct. 30. Sikora, who also owns a bakery in Ellicott City, says the new coffee shop will feature some bakery items and sandwiches, but "coffee is going to be our main business." The business has already been a regular vendor at the Catonsville Farmers Market. (Staff photo by Kitty Charlton)
Something new is brewing on Catonsville's main thoroughfare.
Six Mile Coffee is scheduled to open this week in the former Chesapeake Bank Building at 609 Frederick Road.

"We think it's a great location for a coffee shop," store owner Chris Sikora said. "It has parking. It's off the Beltway so people can pick up their coffee on their way to work."

Last week, power tools and boxes still covered the floor of the new business, which is near Catonsville Elementary School.

But Sikora said the coffee shop will be ready for its Saturday, Oct. 30 grand opening, with the possibility of a soft opening before then.

Though Six Mile Coffee will join nearby competitors such as Dunkin' Donuts and Friendly's that offer patrons a cuppa joe, Sikora is confident the business will set itself apart.

"Coffee is going to be our main business, as opposed to other places that do other things and sell coffee," he said.

While the store has yet to open, Six Mile Coffee has already been making an impression in Catonsville.

The business has been a regular at the Sunday farmers' market near Friendly's in the 700 block of Frederick Road.

At the store's tent Aug. 22, customers could buy a hot coffee for $1.50 and an iced coffee for $2.

The hot coffee appealed to one self-described coffee addict, Catherine Holden of Halethorpe.

"It's a smooth coffee, not very heavy, not bitter," said the history and social studies teacher at Franklin High School, in Reisterstown. "It's just good coffee, simple and to the point and what you need at 6 a.m."

For her friend and fellow educator at Franklin High, Lisa Siegfried, Six Mile Coffee seemed like a place she could see herself frequenting on her way to work.

"I like to patronize small businesses," she said.

Six Mile Coffee is named for the nearby marker that notes the distance on the road to the port of Baltimore.

"Plus, I figured every cute name for a coffee shop ... has already been taken," Sikora said.

The new business isn't the first for Sikora. He owns and operates Sweet, a bakery in Ellicott City, where he lives with his wife and two daughters.

After looking at the property for about a year, Sikora opted to open the coffee shop in Catonsville because of his familiarity with the town, he said.

"I've always liked Catonsville, the community spirit," he said. "People take a lot of pride in locally owned business and their town, and we wanted to be part of it."

The operating hours are planned for 6 a.m. to around 8 or 10 p.m. daily, with closing time depending on demand.

In addition to its regular blend of fair-trade and organic coffee, the coffee shop will offer a selection of bakery items like muffins, scones, pies and cakes from Sweet. There will also be a selection of sandwiches, salads and bread pizza made in a high-speed oven, Sikora said.

Inside, the store will offer free wireless Internet access that Sikora hopes will transform it into a meeting place both for area residents and college students, Sikora said.

The bank's former drive-through window will also find a new use: serving coffee-craving drivers on their morning commute, he said.

Catonsville Comet Booster Clum Bingo

**Vera Bradley/Longaberger Bingo
To Benefit the Catonsville Comet Booster Club
Saturday, November 6, 2010

Doors open at 5:30/Bingo starts at 6:30
Early Bird game at 6:15
Bags/Baskets will be filled
Food/Drinks will be available for purchase

To be held at
OUR LADY OF VICTORY SCHOOL
4416 Wilkens Avenue
Tickets $20.00
Includes 18 regular games of bingo

For ticket information, please contact
Terry Kendrick: 410-242-1760 or kendrickkids@comcast.

Quarter Auction to Benefit CHS After Prom Party

Catonsville High School’s

After Prom Party QUARTER AUCTION

WhenFri, October 29, 6:00pm – 9:30pm

WhereThe Lodge at The Lodge i2832 Nine Mile Circle (off of Frederick Road), Catonsville, MD 21228 (map)

DescriptionDoors open 6:00 pm. Auction begins 6:45 pm. In advance by 10/8 -- $20 for admission & receive 1 paddle + $10 in quarters $25 at the door for admission (No minors, please.) Some tickets will be available at the door for $25 Extra paddles available for $5 while they last! Purchase a table (10 tickets) in advance and get an additional free paddle to increase your chances of winning!!! Items will be auctioned for 1 to 4 quarters by your favorite home party sales vendors--based on the retail value of the item: $1 to $24.99 = 1 quarter $25 to $49.99 = 2 quarters $50 to $74.99 = 3 quarters $75 and up = 4 quarters Bring an extra roll or two of quarters and your friends!! (Additional quarters available at the Event) “Golden VIP Paddle” Raffle 50/50 Raffles Door Prizes to be Awarded Questions? Contact Rita Hall ritahall56@verizon.net or quarter.auction@yahoo.com

The Catonsville Shop

**SHOP CATONSVILLE is now open!!
Now thru the holidays, the Booster Club will have a store front to display and sell all CATONSVILLE and CATONSVILLE COMET clothing and novelty items!

Located at 819 Frederick Road – Next door to You Scream Ice Cream Shop

October hours are:
Thursdays & Fridays 11am-2pm and 5pm-8pm
Saturdays 10am-1pm
Sundays 4pm-8pm

November and December hours will be posted on the Comet Booster website www.cometboosterclub.com

Pub Crawl This Friday

CATONSVILLE MEN’S CIVIC ASSOCIATION PRESENTS:

CATONSVILLE’S FALL PUB CRAWL
FRIDAY OCTOBER 22, 2010 Starting at 6pm

We will begin our journey at Sea Hut. We will then move to the other participating restaurants. Ships Café, Jennings Café, Morsebergers, and G.L. ShacksA $20 donation goes to support C.M.C.A. and includes a Catonsville Pub Crawl mug as well as your choice of various Ravens’ Merchandise.There will be other games, prizes, and giveaways as well. We have arranged “happy hour” prices on drinks and appetizers for the evening at each establishment.
C.M.C.A. is a volunteer organization. Our efforts support the local area Children’s’ Home, R.I.C.A. Johns Hopkins, among others. C.M.C.A. also hosts Catonsville’s’ annual Easter Egg Hunt and the 4th of July Games and Races

Dear Friends,
Don't miss the social event of the season at the library Friday night! It's a great way to invest in our library, meet interesting authors and make new friends! Hope to see you there! Thanks for sharing this press release . . . . . Maggie


Contact: Maggie Schorr
Board Member
Phone 410.746.7482
schorr7@comcast.net



Catonsville Library
1100 Frederick Road
Catonsville, MD 21228
Phone 410.887.0951
Friends of the Catonsville Library


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 2010
Catonsville, MD

“Words & Wine” Event on October 22 to Benefit Catonsville Library

Mingle with fellow book-lovers in the library stacks; engage in conversation with local authors; sip on wine varietals; savor gourmet cheeses and desserts; listen to classical guitarist Bob Margolis. It’s all happening at the 5th Annual Wine & Cheese Author Reception to benefit the Catonsville Library. The Friends of the Catonsville Library will host “Words & Wine” on Friday, October 22, 2010, from 7-9 p.m. at the Catonsville Library, 1100 Frederick Road, Catonsville, Maryland 21228. Tickets are $25 and available at the Catonsville Library or at the door. This year’s proceeds will be used to conserve historic documents in the Catonsville Room, and also to support Catonsville High School’s literary magazine, Ellipsis.
More than 15 authors from the area will share their work and have books available for sale and signing. Authors include: Steve Luxenberg, Pulitzer Prize-winning Washington Post journalist, author of Annie’s Ghost; Michael Collier, former Poet Laureate for Maryland; Rafael Alvarez, Jane Byers, Maud Casey, Louis Diggs, Kate Dolan, Dan Fesperman, Tom Flynn, Antero Pietila, John Rowell, Deborah Rudacille, David Shackelford, Suzanne Supplee, Joe Swope, Meg Tipper, Laura Wexler, Marsha Wight Wise.
In Luxenberg’s much-lauded Annie’s Ghost, the author explores the discovery that his mother, who claimed to be an only child, had a sister in an asylum. Topics other authors have tackled include a journey into the land of grief following the sudden death of a daughter; a teenager’s quest to follow her Nashville dream to become a singer; suspenseful tales of intrigue set in some of the world’s most volatile locales, to name a few. In keeping with Catonsville’s Bicentennial Celebration, some writers’ works reflect the area’s storied past.
Sponsors include The Wine Bin, SugarBakers Cakes, Sweet a Bakery & Café and Wegman’s.
Since 1962, the Friends’ mission has been to support and enhance the Catonsville library, including maintaining and promoting the Catonsville Historical Room. The Friends of the Catonsville Library is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; donations are tax-deductible.

County Council Canidate's Debate Saturday

STEVE WHISLER VS TOM QUIRK

Saturday, October 23rd
4pm
Billy and Liz Cook’s backyard
122 Forest Drive

Bring a lawnchair – this will be the same format as the Democratic primary event

Six Mile Coffee

Things are looking Great!

Permits have been issued, contractors are hard at work.

Chris should be open for business in a few weeks.

609 Frederick Rd.

Become a friend of six mile coffee on Facebook

Catonsville's Fall Pub Crawl

October 22, 2010

Starts at 6pm at Sea Hut

Proceeds to other Participating Establishments

Your $20. donation will get you:

An Official Pub Crawl Mug

and a choice of various

Ravens Merchandise.

There will be games, Prizes and other Give Aways as well.

Get Happy Hour Prices on Drinks and Appetizers at each establishment

by presenting your Mug

Sponsored by CMCA

CMCA is a volunteer organization

Frederick Road Fridays 2010 Schedule

Frederick Road Fridays Summer Concert Series

EVERY FRIDAY – June 18 to Sept 3, 2010

Egges Lane, Catonsville,

6:30 – 8:30 pm

Great Fun for the whole family.Spend your Fridays in the heart of Catonsville.

2010 Schedule

June 18- Channel Cats

June 25 - 5 Oaks

July 2 - Appaloosa

July 9 - Groove Mammals

July 16 - Kelly Bell

July 23- Troy Hanna Band featuring Willie's Boys

July 30 - Marquis Soul

August 6 - Green Light Go

August 13 - Bob Margolis Band

August 20- The Gigs

August 27 - Reality Jones

September 3 - Blue Streak

Six Mile Coffee - Coming Soon to Frederick Rd.

Check them out on Facebook!

St. Mark Preakness Gala

Hillcrest PTA Plant Sale

HILLCREST PTA FLOWER POT, PLANT SALE & EXCHANGE
Friday, May 7th from 3:00 to 6:00 pm; side lawn at Hillcrest Elem, 1500 Frederick Rd.
Just in time for Mother's Day!
Shop a beautiful selection of garden ceramics, flowering hanging baskets and 4.5" pots of annuals.
Please pick up pre-ordered plants during these hours.
For information please call Jennifer Parker at 410-788-6352 or HillcrestPTA@hotmail.com
In addition to the Plant Sale everyone is invited to join in the CATONSVILLE PLANT EXCHANGE!
Come share plants from your own garden while picking up something new and exciting from your neighbors' garden!
Exchange, donate, or simply take home plant divisions! For more info please contact Ken Erickson at
410-788-6352 or e-mail: 21228plantexchange@live.com.

We can always use more volunteers. If you can help please let us know.
We are also looking to borrow some wagons for people to use to transport pots and plants to their cars. (If you have a wagon we can borrow please drop it off before the sale then pick it up after.)
Thank you so much for your help!

Yours Convenience Strore is Re-Opening May 8th

Saturday, May 8th from 3pm to 5pm

is the Grand Re-opening of

Yours Convenience Store

and

benefit for Sudhir Shah.

As you probably know, a terrible tragedy occurred at Yours Convenience Store on the evening of November 17, 2009 resulting in serious injury of Sudhir Shah and the death of customer and Catonsville resident Brian Meise.

We all need to join together and support Sudhir Shah and Yours Convenience Store to help him get back on his feet and back in business.

730 Frederick Rd. (Behind Chef Paolino's)

For more information call Tom Quirk443-691-1562

Frederick Road Fridays - 2010 Schedule

This is the Tenative Schedule for 2010 Frederick Rd. Fridays.

Located on Egges Lane @ Frederick Rd. (Next to the Fire House)

June-18
Channel Cats

June-25

Ten Oaks

July 2
Appaloosa

July 9
Groove Mammals

July 16

TBA

July 23

Troy Hanna Band

(featuring Willie's Boys)

July 30
Marquis Soul

August 6
Green Light Go

August 13

Bob Margolis Band

August 20
The Gigs

August 27
Reality Jones

September 3
Blue Streak

Gardens of Catonsville

Although I know everyone needs to appreciate beauty....found in art and gardens , also folks are saying the gardeners' stories are inspiring and informative... so the gift of "Gardens of Catonsville" is filling the bill ! Remember that this project is a community contribution to those less fortunate....so my theme is: This is a gift that keeps giving."

http://web.me.com/janebyers/Site/Welcome.html

Qigong and Tai Chi in Oella

Qigong and Tai Chi in Oella, MD
Westchester Community Center
Welcome to Dances with Spirit LLC __________________________________________________________
In support of body, mind, and spirit integration
Jeremy offers a Holistic Wellness Coaching Program to help people find greater balance within themselves and their lives along with several forms of massage therapy and energy healing at his home office in Owings Mills, MD. Jeremy also provides group and individual instruction in Qigong, Taiji Quan, and meditation, as well as offering a Qigong and Taiji Quan teacher certification program. Jeremy currently teaches Qigong and Taiji Quan classes in Ellicott City, Columbia, and Baltimore, MD.
Jeremy's specialties
Supporting and enhancing health and wellnessHealing and integrating body, mind, and spiritBalancing and harmonizing relationships

Holistic Wellness Coaching
Craniosacral Therapy and Energy Healing
Qigong & Taiji Quan Instruction
Qigong & Taiji Quan Teacher Certification Programs

Jeremy HarlowDances with Spirit LLCOwings Mills, MD 410-409-4803www.danceswithspirit.comjeremy@danceswithspirit.com

Comet Booster Club Beach Bash

Comet Booster Club's
BEACH BASH

This Saturday, April 17th
7pm - 12 midnight

at The Lodge
Nine Mile Circle
Catonsville

Catering by Picnics Plus

Tickets are $35

Music, 50/50 raffles, Money Wheel
Theme Baskets donated by CHS sports teams!

Come celebrate another great Comet year!

For tickets contact
Kevin Beard kevinlbeard@comcast.net
Beth Reymann reymann1904@verizon.net
as soon as possible!

Table Talk: Grilled Cheese & Co. opens in Catonsville

By Richard Gorelick Special to The Baltimore Sun
April 7, 2010


When some kids grow up, they don't play school or play house — instead, they play fast-casual restaurant franchise concept.It's a fun game, and you can play it while you're driving in traffic or out on the golf course, which is where Matthew Lancelotta and Victor Corbi worked out the concept that developed into Grilled Cheese & Co. (500 Edmonson Ave., 410-747-2610, ilovegrilledcheese.com), which opened Monday in Catonsville. Their simple driving idea (no pun intended) is that grilled cheese makes people happy.Lancelotta and Corbi brought in Matthew's brother, James Lancelotta, a chef who has worked in Baltimore at Della Notte, at Mango's in Bethany Beach, Del., and, more recently at a dude ranch in Colorado. The opening menu features, naturally, a signature grilled cheese sandwich, but according to James Lancelotta, the other eight or so panini-press sandwiches will feature much more hot, melted cheese than other places put on them.The emphasis here, as at successful fast-casual places like Panera and Chipotle, is on freshness and quality. But I think it would be a mistake to come expecting a gourmet or "foodie" experience. The primary audience for Grilled Cheese and Co. is families.Last week, James Lancelotta was less interested in talking about the expansion plans for Grilled Cheese and Co. than in just getting the first one open. Sandwich prices range from $4.50 to $7.50, and the menu's sandwiches and soups are similarly priced. (Yes, there is a tomato soup.)Grilled Cheese and Co. is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

Menu-

Sandwiches

The Original
Mom's famous recipe made with American cheese & grilled to perfection.

BCT

Delicious layers of aged cheddar, crumbled smoked bacon & freshly diced tomatoes.

Kickin BBQ Chicken

Pepper jack cheese, grilled chicken, diced red onions & sweet BBQ sauce!

The Fresco

Fresh Mozzarella & Whole Milk Mozzarella, fire roasted peppers, basil pesto & balsamic glaze topped with a touch of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Crabby Melt

Melted monterey jack cheese on top of our homemade cheese blend of cheese, crab meat & spices.

Cordon Bleu
Swiss cheese, smoked ham & grilled chicken served with dijon mustard sauce on sourdough bread.

Veggie Delight

Havarti Cheese with a medley of roasted vegetables, sauteed wild mushrooms & an olive spread on whole grain bread brushed with olive oil.

Fredo

Whole Milk Mozzarella with hand pinched Italian sausage, roasted red peppers & caramelized onions topped with marinara sauce.

Blue Ox

Crumbled blue cheese & Marinated Grilled Steak topped with a horseradish sauce & served on sourdough.

Sweetest Thing
Brie cheese, raspberry flavored marscapone & chocolate chips on challah bread.

Sandwich Specials

Salads

Salad dressings available House, Caesar, Blue Cheese, Balsamic Vinaigrette or Ranch

Grilled Cheese Signature Salad
Fresh and Crisp salad topped with crumbled Blue Cheese & Bacon , red onions, croutons and roasted vegetables with your choice of dressing.
Add grilled chickenAdd grilled steak

House Salad
Fresh and Crisp salad topped with shredded cheddar cheese, diced tomatoes, red onions & your choice of dressing.

Caesar Salad
Romain lettuce, parmesan cheese & croutons tossed with a creamy caesar dressing.
Add grilled chicken Add grilled steak

Soups
Cream of Tomato BasilWith Diced tomatoes, shredded parmesan cheese & croutons.
Cream of Broccoli
With Grilled Chicken & shredded cheese.
Soup of the Month

Sides

All Fries cooked in 100% peanut oil
Shoe-String Fries
Sweet Potato Fries
Utz Potato Chips

Desserts
"Fresh Baked" Cookies
Try a sweetest Thing for Dessert

Catonsville Pub Crawl

The Catonsville Men's Civic Association presents:

CATONSVILLE’S SPRING PUB CRAWL
APRIL 16, 2010

STARTING AT 6PM UNTIL????

WE WILL BEGIN OUR JOURNEY AT SEA HUT. WE WILL THEN MOVE ONTO THE OTHER PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS USUALLY IN THIS ORDER ships cafe, JENNINGS CAFÉ, MORSEBERGERS, AND GL SHACKS

YOUR $20 DONATION GOES TO SUPPORT CMCA AND INCLUDES A CATONSVILLE PUB CRAWL T-SHIRT AND ADDITIONAL DISCOUNTS ON DRINKS AND APPETIZERS AT SELECT ESTABLISHMENTS

CMCA IS A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION. OUR EFFORTS SUPPORT THE LOCAL AREA CHILDREN’S HOMES, RICA, JOHNS HOPKINS AMONG OTHERS. CMCA ALSO HOSTS THE 4TH OF JULY GAMES AND RACES AND CATONSVILLE HIGH SCHOOLS YEARLY EASTER EGG HUNT

Catonsville Easter Egg Hunt

Catonsville Men's Civic Associations Annual Easter Egg Hunt. Over 5,000 eggs will be hindden for all ages. some will have SPECIAL prizes.

NEW location this year !!!!!

Lurman Woods. Please tell your friends.

Check out our upcoming website www.cmca-md.org.


Saturday, April 3, 2010
Time: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Lurman Woods

Original Souls Anniversary Celebration March 27th

8120 Main Street
Ellicott City, MD 21043 410-461-2300

Friends and Patrons of Original Souls:
The mountains of snow are finally melting and we can’t wait to see everyone walking down Main Street and enjoying all the shops. We can almost smell the flowers as they awaken and yearn for the sun; the renewal and growth of the spring season. Original Souls will be celebrating our Anniversary on Saturday, March 27, 2010. We are very excited about this landmark event and we want to thank all our friends and customers for their continued support, encouragement and patronage of our shop. We will have great music performed by local-legend guitarist Bill Hooper, food and beverages and an Original Souls Raffle. A free raffle ticket will come with every purchase and a chance to win a $100.00 Original Souls gift certificate. Don't miss it!

Come see all our new and unique gifts.
Look forward to seeing you on Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 11-5 p.m.

Find more news about Original Souls:
· The Washington Post Style Section 2009 featured an article by Kelly Porter acknowledging Original Souls as one of her favorite stores in Ellicott City.
· Original Souls was featured in The View in March 2008.
· Kay Weeks' blog, "A Walk into the Past": http://awalkintothepast.blogspot.com/ covered Original Souls
· Listen to WYPR 88.1 May 9, 2008 for our interview on Fair Trade on the Signal with Aaron Henkin http://publicbroadcasting.net/wypr/.artsmain/article/14/347/1274244/from.the.Signal/The.Fair.Trade.Economy/
· Original Souls was featured in the June 2008 edition of Howard Magazine.
· The Examiner featured Original Souls as one of the many things to do while in Historic Ellicott City.
· Original Souls was featured by the Patuxent Publishing newspapers for special Holiday gifts.


Come visit us soon!
Sheila and Diane

Free Clinic April 8th At Bill's Music Featuring Gary Hoey

Bill's Music is proud to invite you to a Free live music clinic on Thursday, April 8th 2010 at 7pm with Gary Hoey! Guests will enjoy Free Give Aways! Live Music! as well as an Informational Clinic and a Question and Answer session with Gary Hoey of Fender® Musical Instruments.

Hoey will introduce you to Fender's American Special guitar series- everything you want in an affordable U.S.-made guitar. He will also demonstrate the new Fender G-DEC® 30 guitar amplifier- like no other guitar amp you've ever experienced!
Hoey will explain to attendees how to get better tone onstage and in the studio. He'll also offer technique-improving exercises and discuss the Fender products he uses as a professional musician. Further, he will perform songs from his extensive catalog and answer questions from guests.

Gary Hoey Biography
World renowned rock guitarist Gary Hoey takes his singer/songwriter talents to the next level with his new album, "Utopia", to be released Spring 2010. With a collection of 16 albums and five top-20 Billboard hits, it's no wonder Gary Hoey is listed as one of the top 100 guitarists of all time. Whether it's rock, blues, surf or Christmas, Hoey's command of each style makes his live show one of the most exciting on the circuit today.
Multi-tasking as a writer, producer and guitar player, Hoey has had clients who include Disney, ESPN, No Fear, performed the National Anthem for the New England Patriots, San Diego Padres and the Boston Red Sox. Likewise, Gary was recently featured on VH1 Classic's documentary, "Aftermath", a VH1 original one-hour concert special in conjunction with the Musicians United, which raised money to benefit the victims of the Station NightClub Fire in Rhode Island in 2003.
In 1993 Gary Hoey launched his career with the hit song "Hocus Pocus" (Warner Bros. Records). His fiery technique helped to send it to the top 5 on Billboard's charts. The Boston raised guitarist followed up with the soundtrack to the surf saga, Endless Summer, II (Warner/Reprise).
His popular "Ho Ho Hoey" series of Christmas CDs and on-air station visits during the holiday season have become an annual staple at hundreds of radio stations nationwide.
In addition to touring extensively as a headline act, Hoey has toured and traded licks with the likes of Brian May of Queen, Ted Nugent, Foreigner, Joe Satriani, The Doobie Brothers, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Eric Johnson, Steve Vai, Peter Frampton, Rick Derringer and Deep Purple. More information can be found at www.garyhoey.com.

More on Grilled Cheese in Catonsville

March 15, 2010- From The Baltimore Sunpaper

Something cheesy in Catonsville

Just when you thought the Catonsville dining scene couldn't get any more hifalutin, along comes a new restaurant devoted to grilled cheese.
We're not talking Wonder-Bread-and-Kraft-Singles combos either.
When Grilled Cheese & Co. opens later this month in the 500 block of Edmondson Avenue, near the Beltway, expect the likes of smoked bacon, aged white cheddar and diced tomato. And fresh mozzarella, roasted red peppers, pesto, balsamic glaze and "XVO." (If they had to abbreviate "extra virgin olive oil," at least they went with their own shorthand and not Rachael Ray's.)
There's even a dessert grilled cheese made with sliced brie, mascarpone cheese, semi-sweet chocolate and raspberry sauce.
The company's Web site says the restaurant concept, one the owners hope to expand to more locations, was "inspired by childhood memories of grilled cheese." At the same time, it describes the menu as "adult-focused." Along with the upscale sandwiches, there will be homemade soups and "gourmet" salads.
The restaurant is in a two-story white building that at one point housed both barbecue joint and exterminator. (That always amused me for some reason.)
Grilled Cheese & Co. is the creation of Vic Corbi and Matt Lancelotta, who've already been peddling upscale grilled cheese at area festivals. They're the ones behind the Grilled Cheese, Beer & Wine Festival planned for October, which EL mentioned in this space when it was announced last month.
I spotted the Grilled Cheese & Co. sign going up late Sunday afternoon while driving by with the family. My husband, still bitter four years after having frittered away one of his Charleston courses on grilled cheese, greeted the restaurant concept with a bad pun: "That's a crock, monsieur."
But really, if it's extra-good grilled cheese, what's not to like?

Another New Restaurant is Comming to Catonsville! Grilled Cheese & Co.

Next month, Grilled Cheese & Co plans to open first store!
Cheesy aromas are filling the air this month, thanks to a new fast casual food concept that will have it's grand opening in Catonsville, MD. Grilled Cheese & Co. (www.ilovegrilledcheese.com) is launching its first restaurant mid to late March at 500 Edmonson Avenue with plans to expand by franchising dozens of restaurants in the next two years. The restaurant will serve lunch and early dinner. Grilled Cheese & Co. is serving up gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and more at our first location. It's more than just a new food concept, according to Vic Corbi, one of the founders-it's a grilled cheese culinary experience. Inspired by childhood memories of grilled cheese, the company has taken its lead by offering premium grilled cheese sandwiches and giving customers the comfort foods which they desire: an adult-focused menu featuring upscale, freshly-prepared grilled cheese sandwiches, homemade soups and gourmet salads.Some Menu Items include: The BCT (Smoked Bacon, Aged White Cheddar and Diced Tomato), The Fresco (Fresh Mozzarella, Roasted Red Peppers, Pesto, B
alsamic Glaze and XVO) and The Sweetest Thing (Sliced Brie, Mascarpone Cheese, Semi-Sweet Chocolate and Raspberry Preserve)The focus is on flavor and simplicity. "Its grilled cheese at it's best," says Matt Lancelotta, co-founder. We use the finest ingredients and our sandwiches provide an explosion of flavor. The company also attends Wine Festivals, Beer Festivals, Fairs and other Events throughout the Mid-Atlantic region with plans eventually to grow the company into new markets.

Open Mike Nite at Trax on Wax

Calling all musicians in the Baltimore area....
Exciting News ....
Tuesday , February 16th will be the first Open Mike Nite at Trax on Wax.
Young , old , solo , bands .... it's all good !
It will run from 7pm to 10pm.....
You need to be at Trax on Wax (709 Frederick Rd) by 6:30 pm .
Bring your friends... Bring your family.... bring your talent !
Drums , Amps , PA will be provided !

Crime Prevention Forum

When: Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Where: Knights of Columbus
1010 Frederick Rd.
Catonsville, Md 21228

Time: 3pm - 4pm



Refreshments will be provided.



Knowledge is a powerful crime-fighting tool.

This will informative afternoon with Wilkens Precinct Outreach Officers as they share important tips on keeping businesses safe from crime.



Topics for discussion:

How to report suspicious activity

What to look for before, during and after a robbery

Night Card information

The Benefits of good lighting



Hosted by the Wilkens Precinct Community Outreach Officers,

Officer Mike Darcey and Officer Bill Rubie