Cheering the Chesapeake

It may be below freezing with another ice storm on the way, but now is a good time to celebrate one of the most valuable venues in the State of Maryland - our Chesapeake Bay.

It was showcased this weekend in the 15th Annual Polar Bear Plunge, sponsored by the Maryland State Police.The event is the largest fundraiser in the state for Special Olympics Maryland, a year-round organization to provide sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities

The Merry Marketeers didn't plunge this year, since the Turn Ten didn't send their usual busload of daring divers.  But our intrepid quarterback, Joe Cool, not only served as honorary chair of the event, but took another dip in the drink to show his support.

Sandy Point is a state-owned park which can accommodate thousands for any number of activities, which includes festivals, concerts, and water related competitions.  (This is where the Chesapeake Bay Swim, a challenge that brings competitive swimmers from all over the country, is staged.)  But on this cold January day, it celebrates the hardy and warm-hearted (along with festive weirdos) who gather for a very special cause.

While jumping in the Bay at the balmy 33 degrees (you should have been there last year when it was snowing and the sand was frozen!) isn't for everyone, there were other Bay celebrants enjoying their own annual ritual -- the Baltimore Boat Show, held at the Convention Center.

The annual event serves as a mid-winter reminder that boating season will soon be upon us (albeit not soon enough.)  It unveils what is new and exciting in recreational boating, but also features family boats, fishing skiffs, and those exciting vroom-vroom fiberglass skimmers who race on the Bay and tributaries every year.  It also offered seminars, exhibits, and plenty of shopping.

I wish we could calculate the economic impact of the Bay as a sports and recreation venue and tourist attraction.  We track a lot of activities in Sports Marketing -- sailboat races, fishing tournaments, boat charters, hydrofoil challenges, open water swims, etc.  But that doesn't count all the ancillary operations, like restaurants, hotels, boat and kayak rentals, marinas and services that the venue supports.  In truth, our Bay could perhaps be our most profitable facility in revenues produced and jobs generated.

So even if you aren't up for jumping into it in January, stop for a moment to appreciate this marvelous resource that just keeps producing for us, all year long.  And make a point to spend some quality time there when the weather gets just a little warmer.

Trail Tale Trilogy, III (continued) -- The Activists

OK, trilogies are supposed to have only three parts, but Terry isn't happy being stranded on the sidetrack of the South Shore.

Therefore, we're ending our adventure along the WB&A on a more upbeat note, where the trail has already been developed and there are activists and municipal officials who appreciate the economic development to be had in trail towns and are doing something about it. 

Our story takes us back to Prince George's County, where trains from Washington carried passengers through Glenn Dale to the popular race track at Bowie before continuing across the Patuxent into Anne Arundel County and on to Baltimore.  Right now, the trail stops at the river. (The crossing is on Governor O'Malley's "to do" list, though.)

The Prince George's segment is a popular recreational attraction because of the interesting landmarks and the proximity to neighborhoods and the Bowie State University nearby.  The trail even takes you under Race Track Road.

Where it doesn't take you, however, is into the Historic District of Bowie.  And that is what the residents of Old Town Bowie want to correct with a 1,200-foot stretch of new trail to carry visitors to the Bowie Train Station Museum and the center of town.

This spur would not only link their neighborhoods but also boost local small businesses by further capitalizing on the area's history.  

Bowie was once a major railroad junction in the 1800s, and vestiges of that heritage remain at the old depot, now a railroad museum (note caboose next to the tower.) This is where people can learn about the area's history while also watching today's trains run along the Amtrak and MARC lines to Washington, D.C., and the CSX line that carries freight up and down the East Coast.

Connecting this to the trail would bring more people to the antique shops, restaurants, and other stores in Old Town.  It would also create a safe pedestrian underpass under the Route 564 bridge, which bisects Old Bowie.

So it is encouraging this citizen-based initiative received a $40,500 engineering study from the Bowie City Council to study the design in time to apply for an SHA grant that could pay for half the cost of construction.

Hopefully historic Bowie will be joining the ranks of "Trail Towns" who benefit from visitors as well as locals using this transportation mode.

Speaking of our good friends from State Highway, they bestowed a $30,000 grant upon the City of Frederick to help provide a critical link in their trail system.

You can see the existing trail along the Carroll Creek in downtown Baker Park.  The City envisions carrying this popular pathway to a historic landmark, the 1758 Schifferstadt Architectural Museum, and eventually under US 15, which divides the eastern and western sides of Frederick, where it will connect with another existing trail.
 

This project, which includes historic markers, is scheduled to begin this spring and be completed by summer.
 
There are still more segments to complete and more money to compete for before Frederick's dream will finally be realized.  But it is citizen activists, city planners, and a willing council that keep it moving along -- benefiting the visitor industry, creating recreational opportunities, and providing healthy transportation options for residents.

Trail Tale Trilogy, III -- Still Sidetracked on the South Shore

One of the great Maryland visionaries in land preservation, conservation, and trail development is O. James Lighthizer -- Anne Arundel County Executive from 1982-90 and MDOT Secretary from 1990-94.  An avid outdoorsman and passionate historian, he now works his magic acquiring endangered Civil War battlefields, sparing them from development.

While County Executive, Jim established a county farmland protection program preserving over 2,500 acres. He also embarked on an aggressive waterfront park acquisition effort resulting in the purchase of over 900 acres and 7 miles of waterfront in the county.  One of his crowning achievements was the creation of Quiet Waters Park on the South River in Annapolis. 

Another major coup was the development of the Baltimore & Annapolis Trail, a linear park on the old railroad rightaway between Glen Burnie and the Severn River.  Like Torrey Brown, DNR Secretary at the time, Jim took his share of brickbats and invective when he proposed making both projects public resources.  Although new to the county then, I well remember the teeth gnashing and wailing from NIMBY neighbors who wanted nothing to do with trails that allowed the public near their property.

Until they opened.  Now, of course, both properties are among the most popular recreational attractions in the region -- not to mention quality of life amenities (and property value enhancers) to the communities they touch. With miles of trails, numerous educational exhibits, ice rink and catering facilities, Quiet Waters has welcomed more than ten million visitors since opening in 1990.   The B&A trail has likewise hosted millions of travelers since it opened.

Before leaving as County Executive (and going to MDOT, where he was responsible for preserving more land and also creating a statewide Greenways network on behalf of the Governor) Jim Lighthizer had one more mission.  It was a groundbreaking for the South Shore Trail, another rightaway that was part of the old Baltimore, Washington, and Annapolis railroad.  The South Shore connected Odenton (along with a spur to Fort Meade) with Annapolis.  It passed by the Naval Academy Dairy Farm in Gambrills, through Millersville and Crownsville before the rightaway terminated at the Annapolis Mall.  Long before anyone knew about BRAC, or the Bacon Ridge conservation area established in the South River watershed, the national East Coast Greenway (of which this is a segment) or even the county park that would go on the dairy farm property, Jim Lighthizer knew the significance of a linear park connecting the many neighborhoods on this side of the Severn.   The groundbreaking took place in November 1990, just weeks before he left office. 

That was the last time the South Shore Trail saw a shovel.

There are all sorts of reasons why things like this don't happen as planned.  Changes in administration, different priorities, diminished funding are all factors.  But this one is puzzling, simply because it has become more relevant as the years have passed.  Since Lighthizer's day, several schools have sprung up along the trail, home building in West County has burgeoned, the Mall has been expanded and the largest hospital in the county relocated next to it.  Parole (aka Annapolis Towne Centre) has popped up across West Street.

And, of course, the roads have become more and more congested.  And that's even before the BRAC effect is fully felt.

I keep checking with Anne Arundel County to see if there is any progress.  On various websites you'll see this trail was to have been completed in 2002, 2006, and 2008 (with a DRN site claiming it would be a reality in 1998). 

There are segments that have been in various stages of design through the years, and then-Congressman Ben Cardin even obtained federal funding in 2005.  Still, no construction.  Nothing even close.

The last response I got from the County was that one phase of the trail was slated for the 2013 budget and another segment was in the 2014.  But when I asked when the work would be done, they couldn't tell me because the money hasn't been appropriated yet.

I suppose the lesson here is that the government can't do everything.  There won't always be a Jim Lighthizer or Torrey Brown around to push them through.  There has to be a strong local, citizen-based impetus, too.

As a stockholder, I still have hopes for the South Shore Trail, and maybe it will be completed (even started) in my lifetime.  Or at the very least, Jim Lighthizer's.  He should be the first one down the path.  And I'm sure he'd be glad to give us the history of every stop along the way.

NOTE:   As a special irony, I see in today's news that a citizens meeting is scheduled for tonight at Meade Middle School to discuss how traffic and how improve mobility in West County.  If it weren't snowing, I'd go -- just to see if anyone mentions the potential of the South Shore Trail.  Or even remembers it.

Buzzing in Baltimore

Look at those green lights beaming over the first IndyCar on Camden Street.  Is that fortuitous, or what? 

Although it had to be the coldest day of winter, an enthusiastic crowd showed up yesterday to get an up close look at what will be zooming through the streets in September.

The occasion was actually the announcement that Entergy Nuclear -- a clean, green nuclear energy source --has agreed to become Simona de Silvestro's primary sponsor for the next three seasons, keeping the Swiss Miss of the Indy circuit in her familiar No. 78 car for HVM Racing.  They chose Baltimore for the announcement because of all the energy (not nuclear, but still clean and definitely high test) emanating from here about the race.

Ms. de Silverstro, the 2010 Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year, came to Baltimore to put her car through its paces and show what her team could do in the pit.  She was assisted by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, who got to rev the engine.

There was plenty of other good news to share yesterday. 

First was the announcement by BRD President Jay Davidson that tickets sales of 27,000 to date were well ahead of the most optimistic projections.  With this pace, Davidson projects there will be over 100,000 fans joining us for the Labor Day festivities.

His optimism was echoed by IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard, who predicted Baltimore would zoom to one of the top three events on the circuit.

As for the buzz emanating from the engine, it was surprisingly bearable (albeit to someone subjected to jackhammers over the past few months.)  It has more of a highpitched hum instead of the scat-wheels roar heard at the drag strips.

Of course, there is nothing quite like the dulcet ringing of cash registers, and that is probably the sound that will linger with us the longest after IndyCar comes to town.

As we said, those tickets are going fast.  If you don't want to get left at the gate, get yours now.

Trail Tale Trilogy, II -- The Visionaries

Elections bring new energy and ideas on all levels of government. In the best cases, this synergy transcends jurisdictional borders and singular purposes to benefit a multitude of interests So it was a pleasant surprise to read last week that two new members of the Baltimore County Council plan to organize a citizens' advisory committee to recommend ways to improve infrastructure to make the county more bikable and walkable.

While similar panels exist on all levels of government to advocate trails for recreational and quality of life resources, the comments of David Marks, new to the 5th District, were particularly encouraging.

"Trails can boost tourism and strengthen our local economy," Marks said in announcing the proposal he submitted along with new Councilman Tom Quirk.

In the world of sports marketing, we rejoice when elected officials acknowlege the nexus of sports/recreation facilites and economic development. We're even happier when they use their influence to advance the agenda.

This extra push is coming at a time when Baltimore County already celebrates the success of one of the most popular trails in the region -- the Torrey Brown -- and eagerly anticipates the opening of another system in the spring -- Robert E. Lee Park, at the north end of the city's Jones Falls Trail.

A dog owner in my neighborhood has been regularly scouting (let's not call it trespassing) the progress of this project. She grew up in the area and lamented as the city-owned reservoir (known as the region's greatest unauthorized dog park) fell into dangerous disrepair.

When the property transferred to the county a few years ago, plans to restore and improve the trail system were developed. From what this reconnoiterer tells me, the transformation is astonishing. When it reopens this summer, the multi-use public facility with its hiking/biking trails and canine corner will be the newest gem in Baltimore County's parks and recs system.

But it will be more than that. Connected to the Jones Falls Trail (and also a light rail stop) it becomes a destination for visitors. Hopefully, it will also be a venue for staging popular outdoor events.

These two trail systems are only a small part of the potential Baltimore County has for integrating a cycling/pedestrian network into transportation/recreation/economic development. An old trolley line in Catonsville could eventually reach Ellicott City. Portions of the old WB&A where the light rail connects Glen Burnie to Baltimore have parallel paths that have been eyed for bicycles. 

What Baltimore County enjoys is proximity to the city, and integration with the bicycle-friendly light rail system.  What they also enjoy is a good relationship with City bicycle planners and their long range plans.
 

AND AS LONG AS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT VISIONARIES . . .  we need to give a shout out to our Governor, Martin O'Malley.  In early 2010, he released (in conjunction with MDOT) a vision for Maryland trails as part of the Smart, Green and Growing program.  In addition to mapping the trails already in existence and identifying where links had to be completed, the Governor outlined his priorities.  As any task-oriented person knows, the way to get things moving is to prioritize them. In ranking his "Top Eight," the Governor looked for missing links that would complete other segments and connect communities.  Here are the ones selected in February:

• Anacostia Trail will connect the Anacostia Trail in Prince George’s County to the Anacostia River Trail in Washington, D.C. (two miles)  (That's underway now, and nearly complete.)

• Little Paint Branch Trail Connector will connect the Paint Branch and Little Paint Branch Trails in Prince George’s County (about one mile);

• Henson Creek Trail will connect communities to the Branch Avenue Metro Station in Prince George’s County (about three miles);

• Patuxent Crossing is a new bridge over the Patuxent River that will connect the West Baltimore & Annapolis Trail, Baltimore & Annapolis Trail and BWI) Trail in Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties; (Folks in Anne Arundel County have been waiting on that one for years.)

• BWI Connector will connect the BWI Trail in Anne Arundel County to Baltimore City’s trail system (about three miles); (Yippee!  I used to see parts of this from the light rail and wonder why it couldn't be connected.  That would make it possible to pedal from Annapolis to the stadium -- if you have the energy.)

• Jones Falls Trail will be a 10-mile trail, built in phases, that will connect central Baltimore City to Baltimore County; (The Mt. Washington/Cylburn phase will be complete this year.)

• Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail System will cross the Susquehanna River and connect Harford and Cecil counties; and

• Big Slackwater Gap is a project to reconstruct a three-mile section of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath in Washington County.(All hail the Feds and their Stimulous largess!  This groundbreaking took place in August.)

And while we're crediting visionaries, let's throw our arms around DNR, who coordinated a series of regional roundtables to hear what local activitists wanted to see in their trails.  This cultimated in the first statewide Trails Summit in October.  That, in turn, put stakeholders together in a network to develop a comprehensive plan that would bring visitors to Maryland (including those who pedal in from Pennsylvania and Delaware) and serve residents as transportation and recreational facilities.

Furthermore, Governor O'Malley authorized  the creation of a new Trails Development Office in DNR to coordinate these resources “to enable the kind of progress that occurs when governments, stakeholders and everyday citizens work together."  In the words of the Governor, Maryland trails will be "second to none."

The speaker for that Summit was to have been the original DNR visionary, Dr. Torrey Brown -- he of the eponymous trail.  However, Dr. Brown was unable to attend.  It would have been gratifying for him to see how his then-controversial determination to build a trail along a deserted rail bed in Baltimore County has blossomed into a statewide movement that benefits so many.  We suspect, however, that there will be many more opportunities for him to see this initiative progress. 

It will be fun to see how far, and how fast, our Governor's to-do list will carry the trails movement.

Whacking Watermelons . . (and other fun at FanFest)

The Merry Marketeers were dining at the Inner Harbor when Tweety remarked on the parade of lacrosse jerseys and other lax apparel passing by our window.  Yes, the changing of the guard has occurred -- soccer coaches out, lacrosse operatives in. 

Another weekend of fun and games (not to mention educational seminars and live field demonstrations) as another sport with great popularity has a pow-wow in town.   The locally-based US Lacrosse National Convention draws more than 5,000 coaches, officials, and administrators for the weekend, beginning today and running through Sunday at the Baltimore Convention Center.

So what does this have to do with whacking watermelons, you ask?

One of the most popular elements of the weekend traditionally occurs on Saturday.   Known as the Fan Fest, the exhibit hall featuring everything that is new and groovy is open to the general public.  Lacrosse players of all ages, along with family, friends, and frat brothers, can attend the largest lacrosse exhibition in the country. More than 140 vendors will showcase the latest in equipment, clothing and technology. Tickets can be purchased on site for the 12:00 - 4:00 pm event for $10.00.  Youngsters between 7 and 12 years of age are admitted for $5.00 if they wear their team jerseys, and those 6 and under are admitted free.

Among the premiere attractions this year (if one can judge by viral videos) is the Reebok Watermelon Challenge.   The science based demonstration of a model product is enlightening, particularly when the demonstration is by a couple of professional lacrosse players.  But the real challenge is getting enough velocity in the stick to take out a watermelon with a lacrosse ball.  That's downright hilarious.

In order to see what a sticky mess (and irresistable challenge) this is, tune in here:

Reebok promises to have pro and college stars stepping up to the challenge, but they are also inviting the fans to take a swing as well.  (Do you think they give out kewpie dolls?  This could replace the sledgehammer bell at the state fair.)

So join in the fun and come to the official kick-off of lacrosse season. Even if you don't get splattered (maybe they could throw in a seed spitting contest with the casualties) there will be lots to do, see, and learn.

Trail Tale Trilogy

Recently, I read two stories, seemingly unrelated, which intersect with many of the subjects we Marylanders celebrate – our history, love of sports, wonderful recreation facilities, and appreciation for quality of life amenities.

This prompted the Trail Tale Trilogy – a look at Maryland's ambitious efforts to develop linear parks that not only provide recreational opportunities and sports venues, but also connect them to our homes, schools, and other destinations.  These initiatives have supporters from the Governor's office and Capitol Hill to local bicycle advocates and homeowners associations. Working together, they are incorporating these trails into our communities.

I.  THE COMMUTER:

A recent story in the Baltimore Sun confirmed what many of us already know – The average Marylander has the longest daily commute in the country. The article goes on to contrast those who spend up to four hours in their cars a day to others (like me) who move to within walking or cycling distance to be spared the agony.

That made me think of my grandmother, born in 1901 near Burtonsville. After graduating high school at the age of 16, she went to work at the US Treasury Department. Her commute consisted of riding her horse into Laurel, stabling it near the depot on Main Street, and catching a trolley into downtown Washington. At the end of the work day, she caught the trolley back, retrieved the horse, and trotted home.

Pretty exciting stuff for a teenage girl during those heady, WWI days.

Her journey took her through Riverdale and Hyattsville, after passing the campus of what was then known as Maryland Agricultural, a land-grant school with a military curriculum requirement. Still regarded as somewhat a cow college on a large farm, Maryland was about to undergo a tremendous change in the post war era. The vanguard for that transformation was a former football star, now coach and athletic director, the legendary Harry Clifton "Curley" Byrd.

Even before he led the merger of the farm campus with the professional schools in Baltimore, creating the University of Maryland, Byrd was building an empire around sports, beginning with the construction of the first football stadium to bear his name.

Among other things, this son of an Eastern Shore waterman named the school newspaper and later the athletic teams after a Maryland delicacy – Diamondback Terrapins.

Now, of course, University of Maryland enjoys great recognition for its athletic program as well as its academic credentials. With 27 varsity sports, and some of the best facilities in the country, they are a big player in efforts to attract events and activities here. But when my grandmother looked out the window of the trolley, probably the only thing she could see were some brick buildings around a dairy farm because most of the campus burned down in 1912.
 
Which brings me to the second story. Always on the lookout for trail tales, I saw a blog entry about bicycle activists in Prince George’s County and their efforts to expand a popular 2.6 mile trail within College Park. Known as the “Trolley Trail” this route connects two Metro stations, the Maryland campus, commercial centers throughout College Park and parts of the regional trail system.
 

Hard to believe, but true. The same route my grandmother traveled in the post WWI days now serves more people than the trolley ever did.   Now they’re on foot, bikes, or in strollers. And they aren’t content to merely use the sliver of trail that passes through College Park.  The grass roots activists who enjoy the success of the paved path serving the campus want it to be the backbone of a regional, multi-purpose trail system.  And they have allies who can help them.

In 2007, Governor O'Malley announced funding for the fourth segment of the trail, which will carry it to Paint Branch Road when completed this year.  This is particularly significant because that provides another connector to the Anacostia Tributary Trail system, a 24 mile network of stream valley pathways developed by the county in partnership with the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission that can be seen here.  (You have to love the Feds.  Their pockets are so much deeper than ours.)
 
Local trail enthusiasts envision the day when this connects to an off-road paved trail from Laurel to Bladensburg. When the missing link between Bladensburg Park and the National Arboretum is complete, there will be direct bicycle access from College Park all the way to Anacostia Park, the Navy Yard, and the bicycle-friendly National's Park.

[Editorial comment:  Camden Yards is just as bicycle-friendly at both our stadiums.  We just don't have these fancy customized racks.  But plenty of folks cycle to our games via the Gwynns Falls Trail.]

So College Park, the University of Maryland community, and Greater Prince George's County have all benefited from the integration of this old trolley bed with new development, public transportation routes, and federal, state, and local parks.  The commuter route my grandmother once travelled now provides even greater purpose to the people who live, work, and visit this area.

In Praise of Neutrality

It was the end of the week, so Terry and I adjourned to Turn Ten (that condiment beyond centerfield, overlooking the swerve on the Grand Prix course) to catch up.  It was packed with soccer coaches from all over the country. Judging from the accents, I'm guessing many were from beyond our borders.

Terry has been meeting with his soccer buddies since Wednesday, and they are greatly impressed with Baltimore as a convention site. In fact, attendance may even top the 8,500 record set last year in Philly (and that's without counting the throngs who dropped in for SuperDraft.)

Terry ticked off all the positives Baltimore has to offer as reason for this success -- interstate access, proximity and on-site transportation to the airport and Amtrak, variety of hotel options and prices, free shuttle circulating among hotels and meeting places, central population location and hotbed of local interest.

In short, Terry observed, all the reasons why Maryland is a hot ticket for neutral-site football, and why both M&T and FedEx are picking up a lot of the action.

Neutral-site collegiate football has spread far beyond Army-Navy and post season bowl games of late. There are a number of reasons: the opportunity to expand the brand, expose college programs to a different geographic regions for recruiting purposes, better television deals, means to engage more alumni, etc.

Another part of the neutral venue appeal is the large NFL stadiums. They come with more seats, better media facilities and top of the line audio visual displays. In the case of our two in Maryland, they also come with lots of college graduates located in the greater metropolitan area and all the transportation/access advantages noted above.

But the bottom line is . . . the bottom line. There is a lot of $$$$$ to be made in the neutrality biz. The Swiss -- those professional sideline sitters -- figured this out years ago. Football is just catching on.

FedEx hosted two of these nationally televised match-ups -- Boise State and Virginia Tech at the beginning of the season; Penn State-Indiana at the end. Both drew more fans here than they could have at home.

M&T hosted Maryland-Navy -- the Crab Bowl Classic (also nationally televised) that filled the stadium on Labor Day. Again, better crowds than either campus could have accommodated. In this case it was more like two home teams than two visitors. That created its own internecine dynamic. Even Navy's head coach has a Terp in his family. But this good natured rivalry was a perfect fit for Baltimore and a lot of people (MSA's chairman included) would like to see it scheduled regularly.

FedEx will be hosting Army-Navy this year; M&T will have it in 2014 and 2016. That rivalry has to be among the most lucrative neutral siters because it lasts all weekend and features so many alumni reunions in the package.

But that's not all. Ohio State-Navy will also take place in M&T in 2014 and there are certain to be other match-ups on the horizon. Now that the Ravens have installed a new field at M&T, changing out the surface graphics is as easy as hosing off one logo and air-brushing in another. Certainly makes it easier to host those lacrosse matches, too.

So the versitility of our Maryland stadiums extends beyond using them for different sports and entertainment activities. The collegiate neutral-site circuit is calling, and you can bet we're stepping up to bring our citizens more of the excitement.

Celebrating Selections

I had no plans to stop in the MLS SuperDraft, even though it is just across the street.  But a conversation with a Red Bull fan in line at Subway changed my mind.

He was part of a bus caravan that left Harrison at about 6:00 this morning.  This soccer fanatic even brought a date to the festivities.

Anyway, after he described the fan groups, the funny hats, drums, chants, and flags, I decided I had to go.  I'm glad I did. I hadn't seen this much ruckus since the 1980 Republican Convention.

Those pictured here are one of the three Red Bull fan groups.  They seem to have something to do with Vikings.  I don't get the connection, but since there was a band of them present, it must have some deep significance.  Perhaps it's some reaction to drinking the product.

These folks are part of the Philadelphia Union delegation.  I'm not sure what the sombreros were about, but it likewise seems to have some deep meaning to the faithful.  They were the loudest contingent when I was there, taking up one whole section of the ballroom.

Most energetic, however, had to be the aforementioned Red Bulls.  They were singing, chanting, beating the drum and waving the flag almost the whole time I was there.

While they were outnumbered by DC United partisans, I noticed the ranks of the Red and Black were diminishing during my visit.  I knew their bus wasn't due to leave for a few hours, so I went outside to look for them.

The second floor of the Convention Center was teeming with activity as thousands of soccer coaches were arriving for their annual conference.  This display was part of the welcome.

I noticed a stream of United scarves heading towards Pratt Street.  Not just the street, but what was across it.  If any of the out of towners wondered where they were assembling to honor thei new team members, this certainly would have guided them to the ale house.

I decided to check it out.  Sure enough, it was jammed with DC United stalwarts, getting ready for the end of the day celebration.

(Not to be outdone, the Philadelphia squadron STARTED their day in a pub, warming up before their march to the Convention Center.

So it looks like this week of soccer is going to be a grand success -- for the sport, the Convention Center, and certainly the hospitality trade on the periphery.

Can't help but wonder, though.  Think those Vikings might get a little rowdy after a few tankards of mead?

The View OF Bin 400

While I sometimes write about the view from Bin 400, Warehouse B,  (which is much quieter and more pleasant since the jackhammers moved on) this is the first time you get to see a view of  Bin 400. 

The 3 x 5 foot tribute went up last night during the snow storm.  It glows in the dark, thanks to a black light and custom mixed Day Glo paint.  (I didn't go through the 60's for nothing.)

This exercise was more fun than painting psychodelic designs on my dorm room walls.  (and I don't have to forfeit a security deposit, either)

You'll see signs of appreciation for our field general and his troops all around the Baltimore area this week.  The fans are psyched, and supremely proud of the home team.  Purple passion is everywhere.  And hopefully it will keep us in the game all the way to Dallas.

SuperDraft Spectacle

I was hoofing to work this morning when the new vertical banners on Pratt Street caught my eye.  They proclaimed the upcoming MLS SuperDraft, which will take place tomorrow at noon at the Convention Center.

As mentioned previously, the league meetings and their annual draft take place in conjunction with the Coaches Association convention.  It is part of what makes this a national celebration of the entire soccer culture, from rec leagues to scholastic, collegiate and pro teams.

But I didn't realize that entire fan groups make pilgramages to this event and celebrate its outcome with the teams and new prospects.  This is a picture taken at least year's draft in Philadelphia, where adoring fans on the Union greeted their top pick.

I did a little checking around and learned that at least three MLS teams are ralling their fan base to trek to Baltimore for the ritual.  (In the soccer culture, draftees are draped in a team scarf instead of a ballcap or jersey. Likewise, you will recognize fans by their distinctive scarves.  It's de rigueur winter attire.)

If you want to watch the proceedings, it is free and open to the public.  If you're like me, you might want to watch the fans watching the draft and join in their celebration.  It sounds even more entertaining.  Here are some particulars:

Philadelphia Union devotees will be assembling at 10:30 at a bar called Tir Na Nog (near the Convention Center) and marching over at noon

New England fans are planning a bus trip, leaving Gillette Stadium at 1:00 am. and not leaving Baltimore until 5:00 PM. 

United fans are carpooling and busing.  They are meeting at RFK and will convoy up the parkway.  United fans will also march into the ballroom from their bus, and adjourn to the Pratt Street Ale House afterwards.

ESPN 2 will broadcast the first round live.  Subsequent rounds will be carried live on MLSsoccer.com.

It sounds like a good time, and a great kickoff for the soccer convention later in the week.  We'll get to watch some of the fun (like the parade of fans) from here in the Warehouse, but I'm beginning to think this scene might be well worth checking out for its spectator appeal. 

If there was one thing we learned during the World Cup chase, these fans are passionate and devoted.  And that's worth watching.

$port$ $upport$

Anyone in the hospitality industry will tell you that January is pretty grim.  Not too many vacationers, home games, or even socializing when the days are short and nights are cold. 

So it was indeed encouraging to pass some visitors stepping off the light rail, headed for the Hilton, as I was leaving work last night.  Even more gratifying when they stopped to admire our display of purple passion shining from the clock tower over Camden Station.  These out of towners knew immediately they were in a sports-loving town.

As it turns out, that's one reason why they're here.  Terry reminded me that the National Field Hockey Coaches Association was holding their annual convention at the Hilton, bringing 500 coaches and officials from all over the country for three days of meetings.  And that is just the first of three national sports conventions this month, representing nearly 13,000 room nights in Baltimore hotels and over six million dollars in direct spending.

In addition to the conferences and lectures, the nfhca is also staging a SNEAK PEEK  Sunday at the Baltimore Convention Center.  SNEAK PEEK is for aspiring scholastic athletes,  an opportunity to participate in game play, skill stations and clinics with and in front of Division I, II and III coaches from across the nation. With all the coaching power in attendance, SNEAK PEEK offers the opportunity to learn from clinicians while providing significant exposure to college coaches.

From January 11-13, Major League Soccer will be in town for their annual draft.  This event is held in conjunction with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

The actual convention begins on the 13th, although there is overlap between the two.  This compound event is the soccer summit of the year, and will attract about 8,000 attendees over the course of the week.  Because Maryland is such a hotbed of soccer players and programs, there will be many people who come just for the day, so the actual attendance could be much higher.

The following weekend, Baltimore-based US Lacrosse, governing body of the sport, will host their annual convention here.  This event, which includes the popular, open to the public Fan Fest, is considered the official opening of the lacrosse season.  The trade show alone has 300 vendors, so every new innovation in the sport is represented.

As exciting as all this is, I can't help but wonder (and I know all you Marylanders are with me on this) how truly grand it would be if our Ravens beat the Chiefs and Steelers and the Jets bump off Indy and New England.  (Work with me on this.) 

With that scenario, Baltimore would host the AFC Championships right here in Camden Yards.  Wouldn't that make a heck of a January for our hospitality industry? 

Wouldn't hurt the Stadium Authority, either. That would keep us in purple gels for the Camden Station clock tower for at least another year.

Round Up at the Car Club Corral

I was rather puzzled when first viewing the animated map of the Baltimore Grand Prix.  I noted there was something called a paddock in Lot B here at Camden Yards and,  immediately next to it in Lot C, a corral.

To the uninitiated, it sounded more like a layout at the Preakness (or the Ponderosa.)  But now that details of the American Le Mans Series part of the Labor Day extravaganza are coming out, I better understand why Camden Yards will be the center of so much of the Grand Prix action.

The American Le Mans Series involves cars made by various manufacturers, such as Porsche, Corvette, BMW, Ferrari, Ford, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Mazda, and Acura.

These brands have their devotees -- many of whom participate in road course driving themselves.  As has been noted previously in this blog, road course driving is exceedingly popular in Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic region.  A number of our regional stadiums are used for these amateur meets.

Other events -- such as the Polish Mountain Hill Climb sponsored by the National Road Autosport Club in Cumberland -- have an avid following for their annual open road challenge up the mountain.

In short, Maryland is a motor sports state, from tracks and strips in Allegany, Washington and Frederick Counties to road course driving and rallies in the central region to more tracks, strips and courses on the Eastern Shore and St. Mary's County.

And with this culture comes car clubs -- like-minded folks who share a passion for a particular discipline or vehicle model.

Traditionially, when there are major racing events, there are also car club corrals, where these interest groups can bring their prize steeds, brag, and hang out together while enjoying the sights, sounds and smells that go with the sport.

(I'm not sure if tailgating is a part of this experience or not.  While at Polish Mountain, I saw activities that look suspiciously like grilling, but this may not have been a sanctioned activity.)

In any case, the Baltimore Grand Prix, by popular demand, is featuring a Car Club Corral for member groups.

Among the benefits for Car Club attendees are premier parking in Lot C (next to the track between turns on Lee Street, adjacent to the ALMS paddock,) a dedicated grandstand seat between turns 10 and 12, and various hospitality options (which could mean tents or rallies in the Warehouse.)

These car club functions sometimes include seminars and sessions with manufacturer reps.  And BGP is even promising an on-track parade!

(Note:  there will be personally guided tours of Bin 400, Warehouse B, offered with the Lamborghini club hospitality package.)

So while the Junquemobile may feel slighted that there are no rallies for vintage Quest mini-vans, I have to admit the idea of sharing the Camden Yards complex with a fleet of hot cars does sound appealing.

This event just keeps getting better and better . . . .!