The other side of town.

I remember when I first moved to Frederick back in the early 80’s the Golden Mile (A.K.A. Route 40 West) was just about the only place in town to eat or shop. There was Beef Steak Charlies, Ponderosa, Allegro’s Pizza, and more. Plus the Frederick Towne Mall was the only show in town.

Time hasn’t been kind to the Golden Mile. The FrederickTowne Mall is all but dead, tax credits have been issued to try and revitalize the area, and the perception is that crime is up in along the Golden Mile. But there are still lots of good reasons to go to the Golden Mile.

I recently re-discovered Il Forno Pizzeria (which is expanding), Lotus is still my favorite place to grab some Chinese food in Frederick, and there are many other original Frederick eateries tucked into the nooks and crannies of the Golden Mile’s side streets and strip malls.

You can also find some decent places to spend your hard earned cash along 40. Chanticleer Shoes is still hanging strong in that old mall and is the best place to get kid’s shoes. Even though my Wife cuts my quickly retreating hair now-a-days I used to get a decent cut at Gentleman’s Choice Barber (ask for Sue). A couple times a year I stop by If The Shoe Fits to pick up some shoes.

Maybe the secret to The Golden Mile’s come back will be it’s anti-Route 85 status. Light on chains, but deep in Frederick originals. Secret places for Frederick residents to shop and eat away from the hustle and bustle of new Frederick. Maybe.

What makes you still go to the other side of town? Is there a restaurant you can’t get enough of or a shop that provides great service?

~Guy~

Friday Free-For All: Fish Fry

I grew up around the Great Lakes where the Friday fish fry is a pretty common special at most restaurants and bars.  Every now and then, I get a hankering for a good fish fry, or fish and chips.   It’s hard to find around here though, at least I haven’t found a great one.  And I can’t eat crab (allergic) so the crab cakes seen all around town are out of the question.  I’ve noticed a lot of the restaurants known for seafood serve fish stuffed with crab or shrimp so that’s no help for me.

Any ideas?  Have you had a really great fish fry in the area that you can tell me about?

Lizfrog

2008 Great Frederick Fair

I’ll include the fair when I do the September events post, but I wanted to get the word out that the Great Frederick Fair will be held on September 12-20th this year. Tickets can now be purchased for the entertainment events though, either online or at the box office. The box office is open every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9AM to 3:30PM.

Musical acts this year include Kellie Pickler, Trace Adkins and Mel Tillis & Ray Price. Tickets may also be purchased for the demolition derby and the tractor pull.

Here’s a complete schedule of events for the fair this year.

Lizfrog

Baltimore Sun Critic likes Frederick Restaurants

I found this blog written by Baltimore Sun blogger and restaurant critic Elizabeth Large while looking for more information on the Black Hog BBQ and Bar. Apparently Ms. Large has become quite enamored with restaurants in our city, entitling her July 23rd blog post, Frederick: The new dining capital of the universe?

Well, maybe not really. But it does seem like Frederick has more than its share of excellent restaurants for a sleepy little Maryland town. Which, of course, it isn’t anymore. Frederick’s notable restaurants include but are not limited to Acacia Fusion (Asian fusion), Cacique (Mexican and Spanish), Cafe Nola (American), Isabella’s (Spanish), Monocacy Crossing (American), Orchard (emphasis on healthy), the Tasting Room (American) and more, but I’m getting bored with linking to them.

Now Volt is opening this Friday. Talk about cutting edge; just take a look at the Web site. And I’m about to call Michael Tauraso to find out about his new barbecue place and grill, Black Hog, which is supposed to open in mid-August.

So, at least we have some idea of when the Black Hog is supposed to open if what she wrote is correct. What I don’t get is why she is so surprised that there are good restaurants in Frederick.

Why Frederick? Probably because it’s become a bedroom community for DC, at least that’s my best guess.

Apart from Cafe Nola ( her link didn’t seem to work for me, this link is for their MySpace page.)  which opened most recently, all the other restaurants she mentioned have been open for several years.

Lizfrog

Ft. Detrick Scientist May Be Responsible for Anthrax Mailings

Did anyone read the CNN article today? According to the article, the FBI believes it finally identified the person responsible for the anthrax mailings.

A top U.S. biodefense researcher apparently committed suicide just as the Justice Department was about to file criminal charges against him in the anthrax mailings that traumatized the nation in the weeks following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, according to a published report.

The scientist, Bruce E. Ivins, 62, who worked for the past 18 years at the government’s biodefense labs at Fort Detrick, Maryland, had been told about the impending prosecution, the Los Angeles Times reported for Friday editions. The laboratory has been at the center of the FBI’s investigation of the anthrax attacks, which killed five people.

Ivins died Tuesday at Frederick (Maryland) Memorial Hospital. The Times, quoting an unidentified colleague, said the scientist had taken a massive dose of a prescription Tylenol mixed with codeine.

The article also states that the suspect and his wife owned a home right outside the main gate of Detrick. When I read that, I was a bit taken aback. That’s my neighborhood.

~Fungusblogs~

When is Enough enough?

I was flipping through channels tonight and saw a most amazing story on Fox5 on their 10 o’clock news broadcast. According to a story on their web site:

A group of women in Frederick, Maryland say they got booted out of an All You Can Eat restaurant.
They say they were denied more food because of their size.

The seven women say they paid 30 bucks a piece for an All You Can Eat Crab Legs dinner at Barley and Hops.

But before they could get all they wanted to eat, they say the manager put the brakes on service.

The women had 64 orders of crab legs.

Wow. To be honest, I can’t eat one order of crab legs (since I have an allergy to “crabs” including shrimp. lobster, crayfish and any other crustacean) let alone 64/7 = more than 9 orders per person.

I’d recommend watching the full video coverage on the link (sidebar), but I am not able to link to it here.

So this begs the question:  What’s your favorite AYCE venue in Frederick?  These ladies are obviously going to need help finding a new establishment.

~LizFrog~

Boscov’s may be in trouble

I read in the FNP Biz Blog today that Boscov’s Department Store in Fredericktowne Mall may be in some trouble and is considering closing some more stores after closing one in New York.

Hopefully this isn’t the case, as the fate of the restructured mall rests on the anchor stores of Boscov’s, Bon Ton and Home Depot and I personally think that area will have trouble attracting any new stores in the revitalization effort,  especially in the tough economic times we are in now.

Lizfrog

August 2008 Events in Frederick County

Does anyone else feel like summer is flying by?  It’s hard to believe it’s almost August already!  Here are a few events that I’ve found going on this August.   As always, feel free to add to the list in the comments section.

Sunday, August 3rd is Faith Night at the Frederick Keys Stadium.

August 2nd is First Saturday.  This month’s theme is Dog Days of Summer.

Enjoy the Dog Days of Summer in Downtown Frederick on Saturday, August 2nd from 5 - 9pm.  Shop till you drop with your pooch at many dog-friendly stores and dine with your doggie at downtown restaurants (outdoor patios only).  Don’t miss the Dog Costume Contest including Hot Dogs (small breed), Cool Dogs (large breed), and Dog/Owner Look-a-Like!

Wine Down Fridays continue all August at Elk Run Vineyards.

At dusk in Baker Park on Saturday August 23rd, enjoy the movie Evan Almighty at the Summer Nite Cinema.

On August 9th and 10th, head out to Linganore Winecellars for their 2008 Swingin’ Blues Wine Festival.

The Summer Concert Series and Alive @ Five continue in August.

Sunday, August 17th is the Rose Hill Day Festival at Rose Hill Manor.

Experience a part of the past. Enjoy ice cream, antique toys, games, and crafts. Some of the highlights of the Festival include an ice cream social and an antique car show.

Cinemarts presents the movie War Dance on Tuesday August 5th.

Here’s a link to the Frederick Tourism website calendar of events for a more complete list of events.

And finally, Monday, August 25th is the first day of school.  Sorry kids!

Lizfrog

Another Follow-up: the County Comprehensive Plan on-line Survey

I just saw that the results of the on-line County Comprehensive Plan survey were posted. Since we encouraged you all to participate in a previous post, it’s nice to see the results and the tremendous increase in participation. According to the publication:

As part of the 1998 Comprehensive Plan update, a public survey was undertaken with 325 surveys distributed of which only 110 were returned. The total number of survey respondents in
2008 represents a increase of 10 times over 1998 totals with 1171 total respondents.
Figure 1 shows a map of survey respondents by their home zip code.

Figure 1: Survey Respondents by Home Zip code

You can see the whole report by clicking on the image above or HERE

~LizFrog~

Bio Remediation is working

In a follow-up to an earlier story we ran, yesterday the FNP had an update on the effectiveness of the Bio-balls in controlling algae growth in Carroll Creek.

According to the article:

The use of bio-balls has dramatically decreased the amount of algae appearing in the creek, said Roelkey Myers, director of parks and recreation.

Eight of the softball-sized, plastic orbs have been placed in the creek between Bentz and East streets. The balls slowly release enzymes that compete for the same nutrient the algae needs to grow.

From Quigley Brown's Great Frederick Float photo stream

Overall, Myers said, he has seen a 90 percent reduction in the prevalence of algae blooms in the creek.

I think the Promenade is looking and smelling a lot better this year. What do you think?

~LizFrog~