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Hello Baltimore! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: 23andMe settlement, wild water splash days, and liquid nitrogen slushie lab + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.
Today’s sponsor, Goldco, is helping folks around Baltimore help protect their savings after a remarkable few years for gold and silver. Their free guide explains what's behind the run… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.* |
01 — Worth knowing In the newsThree local stories this week, plus a few worth your money.
New dining expansion: Common Plate Hospitality expanded in Baltimore with Urbano, a Tex-Mex restaurant that opened at Rye Street Market in Baltimore Peninsula, filling a 4,500-square-foot corner space -- see the Urbano opening.
A venue with deep roots: Published Monday, a feature explores how Federal Hill’s The 8x10 endures, from juice-bar roots to legendary acts, as owners Abigail Janssens and Brian Shupe steer a family-inspired revival -- explore The 8x10 revival.
Privacy breach settlement reached: Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced an $18 million settlement with 23andMe over the 2023 data breach, exposing 6.9 million people, including 94,000 Marylanders, with payment from bankruptcy funds -- see the settlement details.
Watch your credit card balance drop. Here's a rare one: this card lets you skip interest charges until nearly 2028, and you won't pay a cent in annual fees to do it. On top of that, every purchase earns at least 1.5% cash back, with some categories as high as 5%. Spend a little early on and there's up to a $200 bonus waiting too -- take a look.*
The bill all retirees should double check: Car insurance. If you’ve been on the same plan for years, you might be paying way more than you need to. It’s an easy one to forget about, but switching could save you up to $600 this year. Case in point: I shopped around and ended up cutting my premium in half -- this free comparison tool makes it easy.*
Google your own name and you'll probably find your home address: It's sitting on a people-search site right now, next to your age, your relatives, and your phone number, free for anyone to look up. Aura gets it taken down. It contacts 420+ data brokers on your behalf, uses privacy laws to legally demand deletion, and keeps resending requests so your information doesn't creep back online. No hours of opt-out forms, it runs quietly in the background — remove your data.* Highlights this week: |
02 — From our sponsor Gold posted one of its strongest runs in decades...Silver has been right there with it, and after a few remarkable years both metals have become some of the most talked-about assets for those looking to stay ahead of market volatility. While many are still sitting on the sidelines, others are quietly repositioning. If you’re wondering whether you’re missing something, Goldco has a free guide explaining what’s driving the renewed interest… and how people are approaching precious metals right now. It’s free and worth reading before the next move.* |
03 — On our radar
Local business spotlightNearby spots we'd actually send a friend to.
Serious brunch energy: Everybody Loves Brunch nails the comfort-food sweet spot with fluffy pancakes, a seafood-loaded omelette, legit shrimp and grits, plus fresh juices that make you feel like you made a healthy choice. Bookmark it for a midweek morale boost or a lazy Sunday that accidentally turns productive.
Furniture fix, fast: Price Busters Discount Furniture is a local go-to when your living room needs saving, with name-brand pieces that won’t crush the budget, genuinely helpful staff, and delivery options that don’t take forever. Perfect for giving your Baltimore place a quick glow-up.
Instant summer cool-down: When the humidity spikes and your patience dips, Walter Sondheim Fountain (Splash Pad) is your Inner Harbor cheat code, all gleeful jets and kid energy, perfect for a quick reset between errands or after a promenade lap. Bring a towel, leave the stress.
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04 — Our recommendations
We got your backA handful of products and services we think are worth a look.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with *Lemonade →
The upgrades that make your home feel new again start here. You don't need a full remodel to fall back in love with your space. New fixtures, a fresh coat of paint, updated hardware, the small changes that make a room feel different. It's all in Home Depot, so a weekend is all it takes to give a tired room a fresh start. *Shop the refresh →
Once your car passes 50,000 miles, the odds of a big repair climb fast. That's usually right when your factory coverage starts running out. Engine, transmission, electrical, they fail on their own timeline, and the bills run into the thousands. An extended warranty covers them before they hit. You receive a free year of Elite Benefits, plus 30 days to change your mind. *$300 off right now →
A window quote that takes an hour and costs you nothing. No showroom, no sales runaround, no obligation to buy anything. A design consultant comes to you, measures your windows, walks you through the options, and leaves you with an exact price and timeline, that's the whole visit. Keep the quote as long as you like and decide whenever you're ready, or don't. Booking takes about a minute. *Book your free visit →
The fitness trend that doesn't require leaving your living room: Chair yoga is having a moment, and for good reason. It's low-impact, easy on the knees and back, and you do the whole thing seated. No floor, no equipment, no studio. A quick quiz turns it into a personalized plan built around your body and goals, then adjusts as you build the habit. *See your plan → |
Have an event to share? We (and our readers) can't wait to hear about it! Submit an event → |
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05 — The event calendar Fun for the famOur favorite upcoming kid and family-friendly events. All events are subject to change. Always check official event pages before heading out.
🎄 Christmas in July Day | Toy Drive @ Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital | Thursday (7/23) at 9:30 AM – If your holiday spirit refuses to wait until December, Christmas in July at MWPH delivers the jingle. They are collecting new, unwrapped toys to restock shelves, and the WBAL-TV crew will be on hand with other special guests, bringing the cheer, banter, and photo ops.
🎬 Flicks From the Hill 2026 @ American Visionary Art Museum | Thursday (7/23) at 5:00 PM – Thursdays in July, AVAM turns Federal Hill into a backyard theater with free admission, art-making, a dance warmup, and movie under the stars. Expect The Wiz, Men in Black, plus throwbacks. Bring a blanket, hill-ready knees, and an appetite for popcorn, soda, and food trucks.
💦 Wild Water Splash Days @ The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore | Saturday (7/25) at 10:00 AM – Outsource the sprinkler, the zoo becomes a splash zone with slides, splash pads, bounce house, and train and carousel rides. The animals get in on it too, from an elephant water cannon to grizzly pool time and otter ice treats, included with admission or membership.
🎉 Southwest Summer Jam @ Poppleton Recreation Center | Saturday (7/25) at 11:00 AM – SWP is throwing a Summer Jam, an afternoon of live music, free food, and field day bragging rights for seven neighborhoods, Pigtown to Union Square. Think block party meets progress report, with resource tables, interactive exhibits, and the kind of neighborly chatter you actually enjoy.
🍲 Community Care Cookout @ The Dome | Saturday (7/25) at 11:00 AM – Whether you’ve got a spare coat or just an appetite, this cookout at The Dome on Eden St serves free meals, haircuts, hygiene kits, music, and neighborly vibes. They’re collecting clothing, blankets, hygiene items, and new socks, because community care beats closet clutter every time.
🧪 Liquid Nitrogen Slushie Lab @ Maryland Science Center | Sunday (7/26) at 12:30 PM – Take a break from the humidity and watch Science Center pros freeze lemonade on purpose, then hand you a small slushie crowned with a peppermint stick. It’s Baltimore’s lemon stick tradition with a cryogenic twist, a 25-minute, all-ages add-on that requires general admission or membership.
🎺 Summer Concert with U.S. Army Band Downrange @ Patterson Park Observatory | Sunday (7/26) at 6:00 PM – U.S. Army Band Downrange and Charm City Sings hit Patterson Park’s concert hill for a night of rock, pop, country, and R&B you can hum on the walk home. Think 175 neighbors in chorus, backed by pros. Food and craft vendors, good vibes, zero pretense.
Want more? Browse our full events calendar | Submit an event |
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07 — Baltimore report Weather forecastToday — High: 88°F — Low: 66°F — Precip: 35%
A slight chance of rain showers before 7am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. West wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 66. Northwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tomorrow — High: 82°F — Low: 65°F — Precip: 1%
Sunny, with a high near 82. North wind around 7 mph. Later: Clear, with a low around 65. This house is wildThis split-level standout packs serious personality with wood-beamed ceilings, a showpiece library, and a theater-ready family room with projector and built-ins. The renovated kitchen shines with quartz surfaces, Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, while the landscaped backyard adds paver paths, bluestone patios, a grill station, and a stone retaining wall.
Take a peek inside → |
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