It’s the most wonderful time of the year…

Google images

It’s that time of the year again. Christmas trees, holiday music, family, and…final exams! The timing of finals week never fails to add a little bah humbug to your holiday cheer.  We all know there’s no avoiding them, but how about keeping stress levels at a minimum this year? Here are some easy tips to make preparing for exams a little easier.

• Exercise- keep it simple and go for a walk in the morning or evening before you hit the books
• Eat- studying can build up an appetite. Remember to eat during those long nights at the library.
• Laugh- take a break with some friends. Everyone’s in the same boat and a little time away from the books might be just what you need to refuel.
• Plan- if your finals are all back-to-back plan a study schedule ahead of time. Visuals can help when preparing for a week of hard work.

Shuttle Spotlight: Annual Lighting of the Washington Monument

Thanksgiving dinners, Black Friday deals, holiday music constantly running on your Pandora are just a few subtle reminders that the holiday season is in full swing!  The weather may not be best, but one of my favorite things about the holidays is celebrating traditions – cooking great recipes, spending time with family and friends, decorating, etc.

Baltimore definitely embraces the power of tradition through many events – one of which is the lighting of the Washington Monument, an event put on by the Baltimore Office of Promotion and Arts.  In the past, there have been performances from our amazing and talented students from the Peabody Conservatory, some kind words from our Mayor, a fireworks show, and of course the key and most important component, the official lighting of the Washington Monument.

Clear your calendars on December 1 and head down to Mount Vernon Place (600-700 block of Charles St) and be part of an annual Baltimore tradition.  The program officially starts at 5:30 PM, with the official lighting slated to occur at around 7:45 PM.

How do you get there – easy peasy!  Take the Collegetown Shuttle to Penn Station and transfer onto the Charm City Circulator’s Purple Route and take it down to stop #314.

Check out some of my pictures from years past.  Hope to see you there this year!

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For now, this is Ankur….

Signing off!

Baltimore music

Here are some tunes from artists right in Baltimore.

Future Islands
featured on NPR

Bosley
featured in Urbanite online

Dream Share Documentary

(Towson University)

After graduating from college, two friends decide to take a road trip.

We’ve all heard it before, but this is not your average cross-country trip.

The Dream Share Project is a documentary about exploration and finding happiness. As the students travel the country they meet people who share their stories. Their stories of discovery, struggle, passion, and happiness.

Now, after finishing their adventure, these two students want to share their journey in hopes to inspire young people to follow their dream.

There will be a screening of the Dream Share Project Wednesday, November 9 at Towson University.

Need a way to Towson? The Collegetown shuttle will get you there!

The Dream Share Project from Chip Hiden on Vimeo.

Shuttle Spotlight: Freefall Baltimore

The leaves are changing colors, it’s getting a little cooler, and professors are piling on the projects, quizzes, and homework, BUT one thing doesn’t change:  we ALL need a little escape every now and again to add a little spice to our lives.   The best part is, you can find lots of activities to participate in at minimal or no cost to you.  Every October,  the Baltimore Office of Promotion and Arts (BOPA) brings you Freefall Baltimore!  It’s a month long calendar of activities designed to increase access and interest to the arts and cultural attractions we have in Charm City!

We may be approaching the end of the month and thinking about Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, and how to ring in 2012 with a bang (Lightbulb:  future blog posting!), but I highly recommend adding some of these destinations to your Baltimore Bucket List (Yes, there is such a thing).  I’ve had stellar experiences at destinations such as the Windup Space, CenterStage, American Visionary Art Museum, Walters Art Museum, and Reginald F. Lewis Museum (just to name a few).

If I could choose one event to attend in the last few days of Freefall Baltimore, I would go for the ballroom dancing classes at Johns Hopkins University ROTC Building at the intersection of 39th and University Parkway taking place this Friday at 8 PM.  Live out your Dancing with the Stars fantasy (wait is that only me?) and learn how to rumba, waltz, and tango and above all step out of your comfort zone.  I can even minimize my gas and parking costs by taking the Collegetown Shuttle to the JHU stop and walk a few blocks north on Charles St and west on University Parkway.

If dancing isn’t your thing, don’t worry about it.  Visit www.freefallbaltimore.com and find something that gets you excited.

For now, this is Ankur….

Signing off….

Druid Hill mural

Last weekend I helped artist Michelle Santos paint her mural in Druid Hill. Even without much painting, experience Michelle let me climb right up and get right to work.

Take a look!
Druid Hill Avenue and Presstman Street

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Shuttle Spotlight: Rams Head Live

Summer festivals are behind us, but thankfully our favorite bands and musicians aren’t going into hibernation anytime soon.

(Google images)

Baltimore is filled with places to hear live music. From hole-in-the-wall venues to huge theaters, there are so many options. The hard part is deciding what you’re in the mood for on a certain night.

My first concert in Baltimore was at Rams Head Live. It was my birthday and Julian Casablancas, the lead singer from the Strokes, was in town for his solo tour. Not too big, not too small I thought when I took a look around the venue.

From mainstream artists like Lauryn Hill and Corrine Bailey Rae to upcoming musicians like Beirut, Rams Head’s calendar is filled with all types of music. As a college student I know how pricey tickets can be, but luckily Rams Head has affordable prices perfect for students.

So if you’re like me and need your fall fix of summer jams, Rams Head is a great place to check out.

How do I get there? Easy! Bring your college ID and jump on the free Collegetown Shuttle to Penn Station. From there take the free Charm City Circulator orange route to Stop 202 Commerce Street. Just walk a couple of blocks down to Market Place and signs for Rams Head and Power Plant Live are in bright lights!

Upcoming shows at Rams Head Live!

The AP Tour
October 14
$15 advance/$18 door

Mat Kearney
October 24
$20 advance/$23 door

Brett Dennen
November 18th
$20 advance /$23 door

Shuttle Spotlight: Cory Booker

I am firm believer in the power of leadership, that leaders are born, not made, and leaders have an ability to inspire others to make a change.  I know economic times are difficult now and it’s hard to be optimistic about our elected officials who are supposed to work together and find solutions.  With this posting, I hope to challenge your thinking and learn more about an amazing individual by the name of Cory Booker. 

Cory Booker was elected Mayor of Newark in 2006 and since his time in office, he’s hit the ground running.  He’s an innovative leader who demonstrates bold leadership who’s worked tirelessly to reduce crime in the city of Newark and double affordable housing opportunities.  He’s also known for creating and sustaining public/private partnerships and calling greater attention to civic responsibility.  His tenure as Mayor was well received and the people of Newark chose to reelect him in 2010.  

What does this have to do with Collegetown?  Well folks, he’s here in Baltimore!  Goucher College named him a Visiting Professor for the fall 2011 semester and he’ll be speaking not once, but twice.  You can catch him speak at Goucher College on October 12 a the Kraushaar Auditorium at 8 PM.  If that doesn’t work for you, well the JHU MSE Symposium has arranged something for you on October 15 at 7;30 at Shriver Hall.  For full details, go to www.goucher.edu or www.jhu.edu/mse.

The best thing is, both of the events are FREE!    How do you get there – Baltimore Collegetown Shuttle!  To get to Goucher College, hop on the Blue Route and it’s the northernmost point of the route.  If going to Hopkins fits in better with your schedule, then take either the Blue of Red Route and get off at one of the two Hopkins stops.  Best part is, if you’re not too familiar with the JHU Homewood campus, then you can download a free app and get directions on how to navigate the campus. 

For a little sample of what you might see this week, here’s a link to his speech at Brandeis’ University 2009 Commencement: 

For now, this is Ankur…

Signing off…

Shuttle Spotlight: Morgan State University’s Homecoming Week

I’m not a huge fan of fall weather or the leaves changing color, but one good thing this season brings is football.  Yes, the Ravens are awesome and all hail to my Washington Redskins (sorry, just had to put that in here!), but we gotta give some props to our college football teams in the area.  Towson, my alma mater, is up on the up this year and their homecoming week was a huge success!  Well, homecoming fever in Baltimore isn’t quite over yet.  This week’s Shuttle Spotlight is all about Morgan State’s homecoming week.

Morgan State’s homecoming is infamous in Baltimore.  The Morgan State Bears have a stellar line up next week filled with galas, socials, a parade in the city, and of course the big football game against Savannah State University.  Over the past four years, I’ve learned a lot about each of the various institutions in Baltimore.  If there’s one thing, I can say about these students is they are super proud to be a Morgan State University student and they wear their blue and orange with utmost pride.  This spirit will be consistently apparent during the big parade taking place on Saturday, October 8 along the Alameda and Cold Spring Lane.  The students might take it up a notch during the tailgate or in the game against Savannah State.

 My friend, a Morgan State alumnae, graduated almost ten years ago and she is jazzed up for Morgan’s homecoming weekend.  I asked her “What it is about Morgan’s homecoming festivities that keeps you coming back?  Is there an X-Factor?!”  (Pop culture reference.  Check!)  Her response:  “Plain and simple – it’s fun!”  Now I know, it’s not a super substantive answer, but sometimes a few words are all you need to get your point across. 

 So, if you haven’t firmed up your plans for next weekend, then head out on out to Morgan State University and enjoy some good ol’ college football!  Can you get there on the Baltimore Collegetown Shuttle?  Absolutely!  Morgan State was recently added as a stop and is easily accessible along the red route. 

 For now, this is Ankur…

 Signing off….

Shuttle Spotlight: Sherman Alexie at Goucher College

(Google Images)

It was in my first English class in college that I was introduced to Sherman Alexie. The class was assigned to read of few of his short stories and then mimic his writing style.

I always had trouble copying someone’s writing voice. It always takes drafts and drafts until I really think I do that author’s style some justice. Sherman Alexie’s witty writing style caught my attention and for the first time, I was excited for this sort of writing assignment.

Alexie has a way to make the most uncomfortable and awkward situations hilarious. He writes with sincerity and honesty that makes his characters relatable (even if you weren’t raised on a Reservation in Washington).

Last night, Alexie spoke at Goucher College. I had never been to the school before and was amazed by the packed auditorium. In typical Alexie fashion, he filled the room with laughter. He shared stories of his childhood and now being a husband and father.  He told anecdotes relating to current issues and stories that took some wild and weird turns.

If you’re looking for a laugh, Alexie will be at the Baltimore Book Festival this weekend with other nationally acclaimed writers.

How do you get to the festival you ask? Just hop on the free Collegetown Shuttle down to Penn Station. From Penn Station jump on no-cost Charm City Cirulator Purple Route to Stop 314 Madison Street. Just walk a few blocks down and you will be in book wonderland. All you need is your Student ID and you’re ready to roll.

Looking for an event at Goucher? The Collegetown Shuttle will take you there!
Oct. 5 author Wes Moore will be in town.