Here’s what I am thinking about as we head into the holiday season and then into a second Trump presidency: how do we really see each other and care for each other? 

The president-elect (who will be sworn into office with a bevy of convictions and complaints lodged against him) spent the last few years using his words to separate us — opening up a national firehose of hate against trans people, women, and immigrants. His party can (and likely will) back up this hate with policy decisions. That means the potential for more bans on our bodies via more anti-abortion legislation and on things like accommodations for trans people. That could also mean fewer federal dollars for the things that keep our lives running. 

“We have to think about the (collapsed Francis Scott) Key Bridge. We have to think about the Frederick Douglass Tunnel. We have to think about the Howard Street Tunnel. We have to think about the Red Line. We have to think about the Highway to Nowhere. All of those things could just go away, right? And, people have to understand how serious and how real the implications are for the city of Baltimore,” Mayor Brandon Scott told Baltimore reporters just after the election. 

We won’t get through this without each other. 

Shortly after the election earlier this month, I wrote that I wanted this outlet to be the way that it is as a result of what I saw during the first Trump presidency. I saw how thoroughly the structures that held this country were failing us and I wanted us to stand in that gap as best we can. That’s why you will always find our community resource page in each print issue and you’ll always find our government and community events calendar as a way to connect with other people looking to support and help our neighbors. This year, we stepped up our public events, meeting readers at get-out-the-vote events, community food giveaways, and at Lexington Market, because it’s harder to hate a journalist (which Trump would really like you to do) if you’ve hung out with one. 

I am very clear-eyed about the kind of harm Donald Trump can do to this country. I also know that there are people who are already doing the hard work of creating a safer, better world. 

I’m thinking of Tawanda Jones and Danielle Brown, who fight tirelessly to highlight the continuing crisis of police brutality. I’m thinking of community builders like the Tendea Family, who hold block cleanups and promote unity and nonviolence. I’m thinking of Black Alliance for Peace, an organization that offers us the political education we did not get in school, and shows us that the fight for liberation is a global one. 

I’m so grateful that Baltimore photographer I.H. Webster III gave us access to his stores of holiday photos from Black Baltimore’s past so that we could publish them in this issue. Webster’s father and grandfather, the late I. Henry Phillips Jr. and the late I. Henry Phillips Sr., both made their livings capturing photos of this city and the people in it. You can find more of their work at The I. Henry Photo Project. 

The photos in this issue are all from around 1950. They remind me that we have always been here and we have always found joy.

Editor’s Note: Data in the charts in the story titled “Maryland’s 2017 bail reform effort is jailing Baltimoreans at a higher rate” in Issue 50 was incorrectly attributed to the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. That data came from the Maryland Judiciary.

The post Letter from the editor- Issue 51 appeared first on Baltimore Beat.

Treat your loved ones—or yourself—this holiday season.

GIFT CARDS 

Arcola Cafe
3500 Harford Rd
443-991-0041
arcolacafe.com

Arcola Cafe is the living room coffee shop you’ve been looking for. Come for the locally sourced coffee and tasty sandwiches, stay for the warm, welcoming environment they’ve curated. They sell products from local artists and recently started evening bar hours as well.

Cajou Creamery
411 North Howard Street
410-929-2644
cajoucreamery.com

From horchata to kulfi to sweet potato pie flavors, travel around the world with Cajou Creamery’s handcrafted plant-based ice cream. In addition to visiting their storefront on Howard Street, you can also sign up for the Cajou Club membership, which gets you a monthly delivery of a discounted 4-pint pack.

Catalog Coffee

914 West 36th Street
443-438-6597
catalogcoffeebmore.com

This brightly colored coffee shop opened on The Avenue in Hampden earlier this year and immediately became a staple. Their creative breakfast sandwiches and lattes are great, but it’s their weekend-only breakfast burrito that steals the show.

Codetta Bake Shop 

809 Light Street
443-492-9565
getcodettabakeshop.com 

It’s true that Codetta Bake Shop makes the best cheesecakes in town. They also make the best tres leches cake, the best cupcakes, and more. Treat yourself to one of their desserts this holiday season.

Diaspora Salon

2412 North Charles Street
410-366-8700

Diaspora Salon specializes in working with curly and coily hair and uses holistic, plant-based products to get your hair looking great and feeling healthy. They offer cut, color and styling services.

Hopscotch Bottle Shop

520 South Caroline Street
443-853-9317
hopscotchbottleshop.com

For the sober and sober-curious, Hopscotch Bottle Shop is a great place to find spirit-free alternatives for holiday celebrations. 

Max’s Spice Beaudega

4607 Harford Rd.
443-770-3690
maxsdegrees.com

Find locally sourced herb and salt blends, artisan mustards, simple syrups, bitters, sauces and more at Max’s Degrees new storefront. 

Mera Kitchen Collective

1301 North Calvert Street
443-681-9855
mera.kitchen

Support Mera Kitchen Collective this holiday season by purchasing a gift card. They have plenty of vegetarian options and something for everyone at your Thanksgiving table. They’re the best restaurant that feels like home. 

Mobtown Ballroom and Cafe

30 West North Avenue
443-699-3040
mobtownballroom.com

A daytime cafe that turns into a lively dance floor in the evenings, Mobtown Ballroom and Cafe does it all. They welcome remote workers during their cafe hours, put on swing dancing classes twice a week, and host a variety of other events like VERSION dance party, burlesque and open mic nights.

Niecy’s Fabulous Juice Bar

5416 Belair Rd Ste 1
667-310-9465

For the past two years, husband and wife team Ruth Kidd-Johnson and Chris Kidd-Johnson have run a bustling brick and mortar off of Belair Road. However, this year they branched out to a second location at Johns Hopkins University’s Ralph O’Connor Center. Their motto is simple: be good to yourself.

Sydney’s Ice Creams

3432 Belair Road
410-804-5871
sydneysicecreams.com

Sydney Newton started making ice cream during the pandemic as a way to bring joy to her children. Soon, she began sharing that joy with friends and family, then with crowds at farmers markets and weekend pop-up events, and now with a storefront in Belair-Edison.

FOOD

Classic Truffle Box from Jinji Chocolate
Price: $20

3100 Greenmount Avenue, Unit B
443-835-1636
jinjichocolate.com

This box of chocolate truffles is as beautiful as it is delicious. If you find yourself in Waverly, visit their beautiful retail shop for a complete selection, and while you’re there, have some of their drinking chocolate. This is a great gift for a friend or family member who doesn’t (or can’t) eat dairy products.

The Elevated Tea Experience for Two
Price: $108.55

Cuples Tea House
409 North Howard Street
667-930-3930
cuplesteahouse.com

Break out your finest jewelry and winter attire and head to Cuples Tea House’s Elevated Tea Experience, which offers a selection of more than 50 loose leaf teas, fresh pastries, sandwiches, gourmet chocolates, and more. 

Ceremony Coffee Roasters Instant Coffee
Price: $16

Various locations 
410-626-0011
ceremonycoffee.com

This instant blend of Colombian and Ethiopian coffee is excellent for days when you don’t feel like leaving your house in the dead of winter or for your second cup of midday coffee. 

Hon’s Honey Mini Bundle
Price: $22

4710 Pennington Avenue
410-589-6685
honshoney.com

A meaningful gift is perfect for your friends and family. This sampler of handcrafted presents, made by women survivors, includes a bar of soap, honey, and a lip moisturizer. Available online and at various retailers. 

Neopol Savory Smokery Breakfast Basket
Price: $90

875 Hollins Street
443-835-3693
neopolsmokeryonline.com

This is a generous gift for your in-laws or host this holiday season. This breakfast basket offers a selection of Neopol’s smoked and savory delectables, including a smoked salmon filet, gravlax, smoked whitefish salad, and smoked salmon spread. You can also purchase gift cards to support this local family-owned business.

Peabody Heights Advent Calendar 
Price: $90

401 East 30th Street
410-467-7837
peabodyheightsbrewery.com

This advent calendar features 24 different Peabody Heights beers. It’s an adult spin on the classic advent calendar experience and a perfect gift for friends and family. Available for pickup on November 30.

BOOKS

Behind You Is The Sea: A Novel 
Price: $26

Written by Susan Muaddi Darraj, a Palestinian American author who’s lived in the Baltimore area since 2001, this book tells the story of Palestinian immigrants living in Baltimore and their complicated family dynamics. Each chapter gives the reader a glimpse into a different Palestinian American as they grow up, navigate familial and cultural expectations, and decide for themselves how they want to embrace their culture. 

The Book of Juju: Africana Spirituality for Healing, Liberation, and Self-Discovery   
Price: $19.99

Unleash your inner magic with Juju Bae’s guide to Black spirituality. This book empowers you to connect with your ancestors, build an altar, and weave potent rituals into your life. 

The Brother You Choose
Price: $13.56-$40.50

We encourage you to pick up Ta-Nehisi Coates’ compact and incisive 2024 release “The Message.” It offers needed moral clarity as the country moves into a second Trump presidency, and as we grapple with how the art of writing, media, and the narratives they create shape our world. 

But before Ta-Nehisi, there was his father, Paul Coates and former Black Panther Eddie Conway. “The Brother You Choose” traces these two men’s friendship and activism. Conway passed away in 2023, at the age of 76. If you weren’t lucky enough to speak to him, you can at least get a taste of his activism, intelligence, and wit in the pages of this book.

Emotion Industry
Price: $17

Tracy Dimond’s debut collection of poetry elegantly leverages pop culture obsession, communication theory, and humor to interrogate the absurdity of controlling feminine rage while living with an undiagnosed chronic illness.

The Fire Inside, Volume III: Collected Stories & Poems from Zora’s Den
Price: $5-$15

Purchase the latest anthology from Zora’s Den, a Baltimore-based writers’ group and community that supports Black women writers. If you are a Black woman writer, you are welcome to join Zora’s Den for its online social engagement and public events.

For more information, call 410-225-3130, or visit zorasden.com.

Scene Seen: Baltimore Band Portraits 2016–2024⁠
Price: $45

This book, which is available for pre-order now, features portraits of musicians across Maryland, with a core focus on the midtown neighborhoods of Baltimore City. It is photographed by Micah E. Wood, designed by Christopher Chester, and features over 200 portraits of 85 Baltimore bands. 

Swarm 
Price: $65

3827 Falls Road
goodneighborshop.com

Purchase the first publication on the genre-defying practice of artist Terence Nance for a gift that is sure to inspire your own creative practice with its unique design and survey of Nance’s art. 

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Weekly JuiceBox 
Price: $25 a week

JÜGO FRËSCO
123 East Fayette Street

A JÜGO FRËSCO’s subscription box gets you four randomly chosen, 100% organic and cold pressed juices a week. Founded by West Baltimore native and Coppin State University alumnus Dion Saunders, the business has grown from pop-up events to a downtown storefront where they also sell vegan food.

Private Kemetic Yoga class with Michele Blu

Michele Blu Yoga
416 North Howard Street
443-813-5042
micheleblu.yoga

When Michele Blu opened her first yoga studio in Baltimore in 2008, it was the first Black-owned yoga studio in the city. Many years and certifications later, Blu now teaches Kemetic Yoga classes, hoping to share the calmness and sense of peace she found when she first started practicing yoga with other Baltimore residents. Email for price and more information.

Drop-in CrossFit class
Price: $20

ZEHBRAS Fitness Club
3302 Greenmount Avenue
410-449-0212

Dr. Jeanelle Spencer discovered CrossFit training in 2015, and it changed her life. With ZEHBRAS, which opened in April and is the first Black-owned fitness center in Baltimore, she wants to share CrossFit with everyone — especially women, Black people and LGBTQ+ people. 

PLACES TO DONATE

Our Time Kitchen 
117 West 24th Street
443-602-7925

Our Time Kitchen’s business model allows marginalized entrepreneurs to get a leg up on entering the food industry by renting out their commercial kitchen space by the hour so they can more easily transition from home cooking to being fully permitted. They offer mentorship opportunities, educational workshops, a marketplace, a food truck and back courtyard and more to support small businesses.

The Urban Oasis
2131 North Dukeland Street

Arica Gonzalez transformed abandoned lots in her neighborhood into a garden and community event space now known as The Urban Oasis. Her vision for the project includes growing a free library, adding a greenhouse and restaurant, and putting on even more programming for residents and young people in particular.

CLOTHING AND RETAIL

Fleur Vessel
Price: $49.99

the dede. Shop
305 North Howard Street
240-650-0126

Handcrafted in Mexico, this vase will add a touch of elegance to any living space. the dede. shop, which opened downtown earlier this year, focuses on thoughtfully curated, high quality decor that’s accessible to everyone. 

A money tree plant from Stem & Vine
Price: $80

800 North Charles Street (temporary location)

Stem & Vine owner Quincy Goldsmith doesn’t just want to sell you a plant. He wants to show you that caring for your little green baby is actually caring for yourself. The shop puts on yoga events, networking happy hours and workshops teaching the history and science behind plants from different regions.

1719 Aliceanna

1719 Aliceanna Street

It’s just as fun to talk sports with Arvay Adams, owner of 1719 Aliceanna, as it is to browse the collection of vintage sports merchandise he puts on the shelves. Stop in for a wide selection of unique and affordable t-shirts, jackets, hats and more.

Haus of J. Bell Body Butter
Price: $6.50-$13

hausofjbell.com

Chilly weather can be hard on your skin. Help your friends and loved ones stay moisturized and flourishing with handcrafted body butters from Haus of J. Bell. Choose their chamomile and vanilla butter, or go for their 34 + 35 butter which has scents of citrus, cedarwood, and a touch of patchouli.

Le Labo Hinoki Shower Gel
Price: $55

good neighbor
3827 Falls Road
lelabofragrances.com

It’s the holidays, so splurge a little on this luxurious shower gel. “The Hinoki scent is inspired by the Buddhist temples of Mount Koya in Japan which all carry the mystical, profusely warm and mesmerizing scent of the hinoki trees from the surrounding forest,” the company says about this scent. They also offer an online refill program. Pick it up at good neighbor in Hampden or online.

NuLanguage

3120 Greenmount Avenue
nulanguagecaps.bigcartel.com/products

Spray-painted details, bright colors, and graphic prints adorn pieces like Black puffer coats, 2000’s style jerseys, Dickies work shirts and trucker hats at NuLanguage. 

Zoe’s Just Dezzerts Sweatshirt 
Price: $50

828 South Charles Street and 807 North Calvert Street
443-961-7241
zoesdezzerts.com

Zoe’s provides opportunities for people on the autism spectrum to thrive, grow, and contribute while bringing happiness and community through delicious desserts. Support their mission and new location with this sweatshirt.

Hand-painted bread & oil ceramic plate by Frantoio Muraglia
Price: $45

644 South Exeter Street
mountroyalstudios.com

Visit Mount Royal Studios’ new brick-and-mortar location for in-person shopping and browse through their blend of antique, vintage, and modern goods. Buy this hand-painted ceramic plate to elevate your dining experience this holiday season. 

Original Screen Print by Andrew Shenker 
Price: $150

421 North Howard Street 
info@currentspace.com
currentspace.com

Give the gift of an original work of art (maybe for someone you’re absolutely trying to impress with your great taste). This screen print by Andrew Shenker would be a beautiful addition to anyone’s collection. Visit Current Space’s website to see more of his work! 

228 Grant Street Candle Co. Reed Diffuser
Price: $30

228grantstreet.com

This Reed Diffuser from locally-owned 228 Grant Street Candle Co. can add warmth and ambiance to any space. As we enter seasonal depression season, it’s a great way to increase the coziness of your home or workspace. 

City of Gods Relentless Short Sleeve Set
Price: $100

1118 Hollins Street
cityofgodsonline.com

Support SoWeBo cultural hub City of Gods and look good doing it with this matching shorts and t-shirt set. They also offer a variety of hoodies, hats, and jackets.

Bundles from Dope Beauty Bar
Price: Three 24-inch Blonde Bundles for $350

1459 Light Street
443-798-2911

dopebeautycollection.myshopify.com

New Year, new you? Upgrade your look at Dope Beauty Bar with this blonde bundle deal. 

Zodiac Candle 
Price: $27

3600 Clipper Mill Road 
443-672-5130
ksmcandleco.net 

This collection, offered by KSM Candle Co., includes a special scent for each zodiac sign. The candles are 13 ounces and have a burn time of over 50 hours. Your Leo friend will love it.

2025 Year Task Planner
Price: $40

702 Saint Paul Street 
443-835-1402
paperherald.com

Support this local Black-woman-owned stationary shop by purchasing this planner. It comes in two colors: Chambray Blue and Lavender Gray. It’s never too late to get it together.

No Excusez

106 West 25th Street
noexcusez.com

Baltimore Rapper YG Teck has been having quite a year. Starting with linking up with the legendary DJ Drama on his Gangsta Grillz “4th Quarter” mixtape in January and most recently opening Culture Bar & Grill in November. 

But his clothing brand “No Excusez” has been styling many of Baltimore’s urban fashion connoisseurs for quite some time. Give your flyest loved one a very Baltimore gift like a sweatsuit, short set, t-shirt or hat they won’t find anywhere else except at the brick-and-mortar store located in Baltimore’s “Black Wall Street” over East. 

Skrued 

24 East 25th Street 
skrued.com 

It’s not easy to design a quality tracksuit. The material, fit, and aesthetics all need to come together in a way that hits just-so. The brand team at Skrued seems to never miss. 

Ayo Boutique

2 Bond Street
Westminster, MD 21157
Ayoboutique.com

When Durrell Paige moved his clothing store from East Baltimore’s neglected Old Town Mall to Westminster, he was immediately faced with racism and harassment. But Ayo Boutique continues to stand as both a location of style and inspiration as he keeps the inventory full of local and indie brands, motivating his followers on Instagram by giving them lessons he learns along the way. Snatch up wears for the whole family and you could even get some free items with your purchases. 

EXPERIENCES

Metro Gallery All Access Pass 
Price: $230

1700 North Charles Street
metrobmore.com

Buy this golden ticket all-access pass for your friend who loves music. This VIP pass includes all access to all Metro Gallery events all year — AND it comes with a t-shirt. Available on their website on Black Friday.

Music Lessons

847 North Howard Street
410-225-3130
eubieblake.org

It’s never too late to pick up a new hobby. The Eubie Blake Cultural Center offers private lessons for various instruments, including guitar, trumpet, and piano. Call 410-225-3130 or email info@eubieblake.org for more information.

Private bookings at Shake & Bake Family Fun Center
Price: Starts at $50

1601 Pennsylvania Avenue 
410-545-1978
bcrp.baltimorecity.gov/shake-bake-family-fun-center
eventbooking@baltimorecity.gov

Make it a group gift at this legendary Baltimore venue. You can rent out VIP areas there starting at $120 an hour. Splurge with their bowling alley buy-out. It’s $1,000 for four hours.

African dance class
Price: Starts at $120

847 North Howard Street
443-250-1985
keurkhaleyidance@gmail.com

Hard times require furious dancing. Move your body at Keur Khaleyi African Dance Company. They also offer weekly drum and dance classes.

Christmas trees

With marijuana being legalized here in Maryland, support your local budtenders at ReLeaf Shop (releaf-shop.com) and Nirvana (nirvanacenter.com/maryland/downtown-baltimore), and buy something for yourself to get through another holiday season. 

A session at The Craft Castle
Price: $30 

831 West 36th Street
667-290-4912
thecraftcastle.art

Put down your cell phone, grab a friend, and reserve your artist’s desk stocked with supplies for two hours of open-ended projects from your imagination. 

Personal Best Ceramics Hand Building Workshop
Price: $65

personalbestceramics.com
hello@personalbestceramics.com.

If you’re looking for something creative and unique, how about this ceramic planter from Personal Best Ceramics? You can also try making pottery of your own in a hand-building workshop.

The post Baltimore Beat’s 2024 Holiday Gift Guide appeared first on Baltimore Beat.

Wednesday, November 20

West Wednesdays: Hear about the ongoing fight for police accountability in the Tyrone West case and for all victims of police misconduct. This event happens every Wednesday. For more information, go to westcoalition.com, or follow West Wednesday on Instagram and Justice for Tyrone West on Facebook.

Family S.T.E.M. Night: Family STEM Night will have an evening of games, experiments, dinner, and live interactive demonstrations. Explore the world of STEM as a family! 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Collington Square Elementary, 1409 North Collington Avenue. For more information, go to eventbrite.com/e/family-stem-night-tickets-1076791826339. 

COVID + Flu Vaccine Clinic: The Village Learning Place is hosting a COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinic. Protect yourself and those around you! Ages three and up, insurance required. Each kid gets a free book. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Village Learning Place, 2521 Saint Paul Street. For more information, follow Village Learning Place on Instagram and Facebook.

Profs & Pints Baltimore: Forensic Flaws: Although forensic science plays a crucial role in solving crimes, many mistakes by forensic scientists contribute to over 1,000 wrongful convictions in the United States. With Dr. Jeff Kukucka of Towson University, learn about “junk science” entering the courtrooms, why some crime labs resist reform, and more. ($16.89 for advance tickets, $17 at door, $15 with student ID) 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Guilford Hall Brewery, 1611 Guilford Avenue. For more information, go to profsandpints.ticketleap.com/forensicflaws/details. 

Thursday, November 21

BALT Free Expungement Service: Free expungement and warrant recall assistance from the Baltimore Action Legal Team. 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at CPP OpportUNITY Avenue, located on St. Peter Claver – St. Pius V Catholic Church, 1526 North Fremont Avenue. For more information, as well as Saturday’s expungement location, go to baltimoreactionlegal.org/events and follow Baltimore Action Legal Team on Instagram.

Pearlstone Market: Every Thursday, enjoy local produce and items in the outdoor farmers market. 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Pearlstone Park, 1300 Cathedral Street. For more information, follow Pearlstone Market on Facebook and Instagram.

SHUT IT DOWN: Protest for Donnell: Organizing group Justice4Donnell hosts a protest calling for the conviction of the officer who murder Baltimore youth Donnell Rochester, as well as raising awareness around the ongoing issue of police brutality. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. To stay up to date on where the protest will be held, follow justice4donnell on Instagram.

Sapphic Social: Community Mixer: Go to QueerTalkBmore’s first Sapphic Social — a queer gathering for sapphics, trans, and nonbinary people — at Red Emma’s. Bring a book for a book swap, and meet other sapphics! 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Red Emma’s, 3128 Greenmount Avenue. For more information, follow queertalkbmore on Instagram.

Friday, November 22

Jobtown Ballroom Coworking Club: Every Friday the Mobtown Ballroom and Coffee transforms into a place where people can both remote work and mingle together. A lunch hour activity is provided by the Jobtown Ballroom Cronies. 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mobtown Ballroom, 30 West North Avenue. For more information, go to mobtownballroom.com or call 443-699-3040.

Queer Quality Dating: Queer Quality Dating is Baltimore’s speed dating series to match all folx of LGBTQ+ sexualities and gender expressions. Complete the questionnaire, put yourself out there, and enjoy yourself with others while eating cruelty-free food and drinking mock/cocktails. Ages 21+. ($28.52 – $33.85) 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse, 3128 Greenmount Avenue. For more information, follow Maria Gabriela Aldana on Instagram and Facebook.

Saturday, November 23

Creative Collective Market: Shop and support local artistic businesses, all while getting your face painted. Register on eventbrite to get entered into a raffle. noon to 4 p.m. at 2123 North Charles Street. For more information, go to eventbrite.com/e/creative-collective-market-tickets-947394862537.

WHAT NOW?: ORGANIZING UNDER A NEW ADMINISTRATION: Join community organizations Howard Revolutionary Community, B.L.A.C.K. Underground, and Black Defiance for a town hall discussion, community building, and political education on organizing under the next presidential administration. noon to 3 p.m. at Nomu Nomu, 709 North Howard Street. To stay up to date, follow hurevcommunity on Instagram.

“Abolish Rent: How Tenants Can End the Housing Crisis”: Join Baltimore Renters United and Debt Collective for a discussion on the housing crisis, who/what causes it, and how tenants can fight back against this system. In conversation with author Tracy Rosenthal, and local organizers. 7 p.m. at Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse, 3128 Greenmount Avenue. For more information, go to redemmas.org/events, or follow bmorerentersunited on Instagram and Facebook.

Sunday, November 24

Baltimore Jail Support Coat Drive: Formerly incarcerated peoples are often released from central booking in the middle of the night without clothing. Drop off winter coats (L-XL, plus sizes), hats, gloves, hand warmers and more to support those who’ve been held by the state. Noon to 4 p.m. at Red Emma’s Bookstore Coffeehouse, 3128 Greenmount Avenue. For more information, follow Baltimore Jail Support on Instagram.

PLM’s 3rd Annual Umoja Karamu: The Pan African Liberation Movement is hosting their third annual Umoja Karamu (Unity Fest) Celebration. Enjoy an afternoon of collaborative games, face painting, vendors, drumming and dancing, and more. 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Baltimore Unity Hall, 1505 Eutaw Place. For more information, go to plm95.org/event-info/plm-umoja-karamu-2024. 

Turkey/Hot Meal Giveaway: Liberty Village Project and B-360 Baltimore have partnered up to give away hot meals and turkeys in time for Thanksgiving. Live music, community resources and family fun are also in store. 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Liberty Rec and Tech Center, 3901 Maine Avenue. For more information, follow Liberty Village Project on Instagram and Facebook.

Run/Walk for Palestine: Join Runners4Justice on Sundays to run/walk for Palestine. All paces are welcome. Routes will be provided with options for two, three, or four miles. Meetup locations and times vary. For more information, follow Runners4Justice on Facebook and Instagram or email runners4justicebalt@gmail.com. 

Monday, November 25

East Baltimore Turkey Drive: The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services will be handing out turkeys and non-perishable items on a first-come, first-served basis to support the people of East Baltimore communities. 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Calvin B. Scruggs Funeral Home, 1412 East Preston Street. For more information, go to dpscs.maryland.gov/newsroom/newsroom.shtml. 

Wednesday, November 27

Goodwill’s 67th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Resource Fair: Goodwill is hosting their 67th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner and Resource Fair. On top of a turkey dinner, Goodwill has a resource fair that can help with resume prep, job placement services, and more. 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at Baltimore Convention Center, 1 West Pratt Street. For more information, go to goodwillches.org/thanksgiving. 

Friday, November 29

Pratt Free Market: The Pratt Free Market is a judgment-free, accessible, and modern FREE grocery store. Customers can fill one library supply bag with groceries every Wednesday and Friday. 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Enoch Pratt Southeast Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Avenue. For more information, go to prattlibrary.org/about-us/diversity-equity-inclusion/dei-projects/pratt-free-market. 

Saturday, November 30

Rediscover Reservoir Hill: Explore the fresh possibilities in Reservoir Hill with a tour of newly constructed homes, followed by an open mixer. Noon to 1:30 p.m. at 1876 Park Avenue. For more information, go to eventbrite.com/e/rediscover-reservoir-hill-tickets-1077650053319.

Hampden Holiday Market: Join The Little Market for the third annual Hampden Holiday Markets. Shop from over 40 local artists, artisans and more. Enjoy live jazz, poetry, hot soup, and more as you explore two floors of vendors to get your holiday shopping done early. Noon to 5 p.m. at St. Luke’s Church, 800 West 36th Street. For more information, follow The Little Market on Facebook, thelittlemarket.2023 on Instagram, or contact thelittlemarket2023@gmail.com for follow-up questions.

Sunday, December 1

Queer Made Holiday Market: Join the Inky Cap Artist Co-op and Crooked Tail Collective for a Queer Made Holiday Market. Featuring BIPOC, trans, and marginalized artists, come through Peabody Heights Brewery to support local artists as you shop for the holidays. Masks are required. 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Peabody Heights Brewery, 401 East 30th Street. For more information, follow Inky Cap Artist Co-op on Instagram.

Monday, December 2

Baltimore City Council Meeting: Special meeting of the Baltimore City Council. 5 p.m. at Baltimore City Hall, 100 North Holliday Street. For more information, go to baltimorecitycouncil.com or call 410-396-4804.

Tuesday, December 3

The Inauguration Ceremony of Brandon M. Scott: Mayor Brandon M. Scott’s Inauguration ceremony. Backpacks will not be permitted, and all bags will be subject to a security screening. 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Murphy Fine Arts Center, 2201 Argonne Drive. For more information, email inaugural@martinlauer.com or call 410-547-8884. 

Wastewater Treatment Plant Consent Decree Meeting: The Baltimore City Department of Public Works is hosting a community meeting to provide updates on the management of Baltimore’s water and wastewater systems and treatment. Open to questions and feedback. 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant, 8201 Eastern Avenue. For more information, go to eventbrite.com/e/wastewater-treatment-plant-consent-decree-meeting-123-tickets-1067957091409 

Labor + Innovation: Echoes of the Key Bridge: Join the Baltimore Museum of Industry for a special event on the preservation of stories and oral histories of the marginalized workers and communities impacted by the Key Bridge collapse. 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Baltimore Museum of Industry, 1415 Key Highway. For more information, go to thebmi.org/event/echoes-from-the-key-bridge, or follow Baltimore Museum of Industry on Instagram and Facebook.

The post Baltimore Government and Community Events 11/20/24 – 12/04/24 appeared first on Baltimore Beat.

Wednesday, November 20

Office Hours with D. Watkins: Talk with author D. Watkins to learn about storytelling, share your story, and record your experience as a Baltimorean for the chance to be featured in a Digital Maryland curated collection. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Classroom 1802 at the Enoch Pratt Central Library, 400 Cathedral Street. For more information, go to calendar.prattlibrary.org/event/office-hours-with-d-watkins-writer-in-residence. 

The Poetry Party Open Mic: Respect, love, poetry and fun at this open mic event. 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at La Familia Soundstage, 836 Guilford Road. For more information, go to lafamiliasoundstage.com/events or call 410-885-4572.

An Evening With The Storage Unit Collective: Spend the evening with jazz and R&B band The Storage Unit Collective. ($11.70 for streaming pass, $22.40 – $27.76 in person) 7 p.m. at Keystone Korner Baltimore, 1350 Lancaster Street. For more information, visit keystonekornerbaltimore.com. 

Thursday, November 21

Enduring Buffalo: As a part of the Baltimore Museum of Art’s Preoccupied: Indigenizing the Museum, this exhibition shows art from Indigenous artists of the past and present to teach about the importance of buffalo, the United States attempt to eradicate the species, and how Plains Indigenous artmaking changed as a result of the buffalo’s near extinction. Exhibit open until Dec. 1. 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the Contemporary Wing of Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive. For more information, go to artbma.org/exhibition/enduring-buffalo. 

Movie Screening of Monkey Man: Dev Patel stars as a young fighter who, after years of suppressed rage and childhood trauma, sets out to seek retribution against the men who made him what he is. This is a free screening. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Enoch Pratt Patterson Park Library, 158 North Linwood Avenue. For more information, go to calendar.prattlibrary.org/event/movie-monkey-man, or call 410-396-0983.

Sketching Sessions: The Walters Art Museum is inviting novices, students, and practicing artists of all ages for an evening of drawing in one of the galleries. Participants will receive light instruction on techniques that can expand sketching skills. Materials will be provided. 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Walters Art Museum, 600 North Charles Street. For more information, go to thewalters.org/event/sketching-2024-11, or call 410-547-9000.

Centering the Margins: Uplifting Community Health Workers to Advance Health Equity: The Baltimore Museum of Art is hosting a panel discussion on a new exhibition that honors the community health workers who saved lives during the height of COVID-19. Panelists include local community health workers, and professors with the John Hopkins Center for Health Equity. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at BMA Main Campus, 10 Art Museum Drive. For more information, go to artbma.org/event/centering-the-margins-uplifting-community-health-workers-to-advance-health-equity. 

Friday, November 22

“HAVE FAITH” Artist Talk + Tour: HAVE FAITH is a solo exhibition that invites viewers to explore the roots of faith through connections of life, death, and power. This exhibit features poetry, soundscapes, interactive installations and more. FAITH McCorkle, the artist, will host an artist talk and tour. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Marquee Lounge of Creative Alliance, 3134 Eastern Avenue. For more information, go to hopeandfaith.art/curatorial/havefaith.

Collage & Connect: Practice a night of collage work by cutting, pasting, and mingling with collage connoisseurs. Open to anyone looking to unwind and create new art and new friends. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Swill by Blacksmiths, 906 Washington Boulevard. For more information, go to eventbrite.com/e/collage-connect-tickets-1074833388599.

Minced feat. Mars Kasei: The first of a bi-monthly to quarterly party series from juke and jungle club Minced. Featuring Bay Area DJ Mars Kasei, Baltimore duo Grifter160 x Scarlett Star and more. Ages 21+. ($20) 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. at Club 1722 Afterhours, 1722 North Charles Street. For more information, follow minced160 on Instagram, or go to ra.co/events/2028314. 

Saturday, November 23

Stepping at Pratt: This is a dance-exercise program that incorporates hip-hop and zumba music. Meets weekly, so get to steppin! 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Enoch Pratt Herring Run Library, 3801 Erdman Avenue. For more information, go to calendar.prattlibrary.org/event/stepping-at-pratt, or call 410-396-0996.

Sunday, November 24

BRB (Balt.Record.Bazaar) at Peabody Heights Brewery: Indoor/Outdoor shopping with up to 45 vendors. Get vinyls, tapes, CDs, books/comics, art, vintage stuff and more! Family friendly with DJs, food and drink. Noon to 6 p.m. at Peabody Heights Brewery, 401 East 30th Street. For more information, go to peabodyheightsbrewery.com/event/record-bazaar-vinyl-night/2024-11-24, or follow Peabody Heights Brewery on Facebook.

Sankofa Dance Theater: 30 Years of Music Movement and Folkways: Celebrate 30 years of the Sankofa Dance Theater and the launch of their book with a concert performance. Sankofa is a dance theater that serves as a cultural ambassador of traditional music and dance from West Africa. Afternoon performances (Free workshops, concert is $28.52) 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive. For more information, go to artbma.org.

Wednesday, November 27

Keystone LIVE BAND Karaoke: Sing your favorite R&B, jazz, and soul hits and classics alongside a live band. Knock a few glasses back and show the audience what it means to be “In A Sentimental Mood.” ($11.70) 7 p.m. at Keystone Korner Baltimore, 1350 Lancaster Street. For more information, go to keystonekornerbaltimore.com.

“The Art of Comedy” Open Mic Night: Join comedian Ivan Martin, Dark Mark Rules, and Alejandro Labroda along with some of Baltimore’s funniest comedians for an evening of laughs. Ages 18+. (Free) 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Motor House, 120 West North Avenue. For more information, go to motorhousebaltimore.com.

Sweet Spot Britney Blackout: Sweet Spot returns for their fourth annual BRITNEY BLACKOUT. Music by Sweet Spot and DJ P_A_T. 100% of ticket proceeds will be donated to local nonprofit FreeState Justice, which improves the lives of LGBTQ+ Marylanders through community education, pro bono legal services and more. Ages 21+. ($15) 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. at The Metro Gallery, 1700 North Charles Street. For more information, go to sweetspotbmore.com. 

Friday, November 29

Miki Howard at Keystone Korner: Grammy nominated artist and actress Miki Howard sings her soul at the Keystone Korner. While Howard’s music always had a current groove, her sense of beauty, candor, and a smooth voice brings a jazzy feel to her ensemble of classic hits. ($17.05 for streaming pass, $49.16 – $59.86 for in-person seats) 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. showings at Keystone Korner Baltimore, 1350 Lancaster Street. For more information, go to keystonekornerbaltimore.com.

Sunday, December 1

Checkmate & Chill: 21+ 420-Friendly Chess Night at Dos Migos: Take the edge off community chess night with Dos Migos 420-friendly themed chess event. Whether you’re a seasoned player or a “rook”ie looking to learn, everyone (of age) is welcome to unwind and engage in chess! 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Dos Migos Seafood, 3437 Harwell Avenue. For more information and where to reserve your spot, go to dmpressure.com. 

Opening Ceremony of the National AIDS Memorial Quilt Display: From Dec. 1 through Dec. 8, the historic AIDS Memorial Quilt will make an appearance in Baltimore to remember the lives lost to HIV/AIDS. 80 quilt panels will be on display; a fraction of the now 50,000 panels and over 50 miles in full length. 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at First and St. Stephen’s United Church of Christ, 6915 York Road. For more information, go to baltimoreworldaidsday.com.

Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None”: Adapted for the stage, this best-selling murder mystery weaves suspicion, suspense, and intrigue to create a tale of shock and awe. The show runs from Dec. 1 through Jan. 5. ($5 – $50) 7 p.m. at Everyman Theatre, 315 West Fayette Street. For more information, go to everymantheatre.org/event/attwn. 

Monday, December 2

Light Street Writers Exchange: A read and critique group for writers with interest in all forms of writing: poetry, novel, short story, creative nonfiction. Writers of any ability are welcome, as long as there is a desire to accept critique graciously and improve your craft. Virtual option is available. 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Enoch Pratt Light Street Library, 1251 Light Street. For more information, go to calendar.prattlibrary.org/event/light_street_writers_exchange_1438. 

Wednesday, December 4

Have A Nice Day Project – Hampden: As you enjoy food, drinks, and good vibes with others, fill blank coffee sleeves with messages, quotes, jokes and more. These sleeves will then be donated to OneDo Cafe and Koba Cafe. Registration is required; under 18 with parent or legal guardian. 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Wine Collective, 1700 West 41st Street Suite #490. For more information, go to haveanicedayproject.com/events. 

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In our highly digitized worlds, photographs and archives are tools for us to remain rooted in our past as we move forward through the present. These photos were taken in Baltimore by I. Henry Phillips Sr. circa 1950. They gift us with familiar moments of Black holiday revelry and joy. Going through these images, I couldn’t help but conjure up in my mind symbols and scenes of holiday celebrations that I experienced growing up. 

The I. Henry Photo Project is a digital archive of images made by three generations of Webster men. This selection of images was curated from a virtual studio visit with the I. Henry Photo Project Archive, facilitated by I.H. Webster III, a visual artist and archivist. Webster started the archive with his father, the late I. Henry Phillips Jr., who was the Baltimore Sun’s first Black news photographer and the son of the late I. Henry Phillips Sr., a photographer at the Baltimore Afro-American Newspaper.   (Teri Henderson) 

The post Photostory: A Black Baltimore Archival Christmas appeared first on Baltimore Beat.

When “The Oath” was filmed, the 45th President of the United States had yet to complete his first year in office. The film centers around a contentious Thanksgiving dinner where a politically divided family attempts to keep the peace during a meal. Though rooted in the reality of the time, the film’s core dramatic departure surrounds the Patriotic Oath, a literal pledge of fealty to the (unnamed but Trump-coded) Commander-in-Chief. The core conceit of the film is that we, as a nation, were only seeing the tip of an Orwellian iceberg still to come. The 2018 film begins as an uncomfortable dark comedy, but slowly morphs into a dystopian thriller.

By the 2017 holiday season, we had witnessed innumerable lies made from the Oval Office, two Supreme Court justices chosen, and a disgraceful response to a trio of devastating hurricanes. But this was before COVID-19, George Floyd, and the January 6 riots. The seven years between this film’s production and this month’s election results may as well be a lifetime. Revisiting its main conflicts through fresh eyes, however, proves illuminating.

In the film, writer/director Ike Barinholtz stars as Chris, a run-of-the-mill lib guy who means well but is insufferable despite his “correct” moral views. After Trump was first elected, the resistance movement activated formerly casual voters into rabid keyboard warriors. Watching coverage on 24-hour news networks and maintaining perpetual connections to social media turned debating right wingers into an addictive sport. Chris captures this archetype with vivid specificity. In his office, he’s got a poster of George McGovern, 1972’s failed Democratic candidate for President. In justifying calling his brother’s conservative girlfriend the “c-word,” he imparts an anecdote about waiting in life for hours to have Roxane Gay sign a book for his wife.

It’s one of many times he uses Kai (Tiffany Haddish), his Black wife, as an impenetrable shield whenever anyone calls out what they consider to be his self-righteous virtue signaling. On a case-by-case basis, Chris isn’t wrong for his indignation, but all his wife wants is a peaceful three days without having to cool his jets as he jousts with her in-laws. Every attempt at casual socialization is a minefield for him to call out microaggressions excitedly.

But Chris doesn’t do anything. He refuses to sign the oath accurately and references a protest or two, but his crusade isn’t about any community building or mutual aid. It’s a literal addiction to digital pugilism. Even as he insists he can behave for the week, he scurries off to unoccupied rooms to sneak away and watch the news like it’s pornography. 

On Black Friday, two agents from an offshoot of the Department of Homeland Security get into the house without a warrant on suspicion that Chris is impeding his fellow citizens from signing the oath. Barber (John Cho) is more of a straightforward workman, but Mason (Billy Magnussen) is a believer. The “routine visit” quickly devolves into a violent hostage situation as everyone involved unravels and the stakes escalate at an alarming rate. 

When it was initially released, “The Oath” was well received, if minutely seen, as a mean and necessary respite from some of the toothless, resistance media of the time. But the film feels different upon rewatch. Its enjoyable skewering of its protagonist, though no less on the nose, feels less impactful. Instead, it’s Magnussen’s Mason who sticks out the most.

Usually typecast quite effectively as a ditzy himbo type, Magnussen delivers the most chilling performance of the year. He perfectly captures precisely the sort of disaffected white male who worships false idols and sees himself as a natural authority. In the end, he’s revealed to be hollow and performative in diametrically opposed ways to Barinholtz’s Chris. 

When it was originally delivered, it seemed like Magnussen based his performance on the Proud Boys and their tiki torch demonstrations in Charlottesville, Virginia. Revisiting it again, there’s this spiritual wrongness emanating off Magnussen in his depiction that reads like foreshadowing. His Mason now doubles as a stand-in for the younger, influencer-radicalized Trump supporters who made their way into the tent from video game streams and bodybuilding enthusiasts.

At the time, the film posited that some liberals insisted on breaking bread with their conservative cousins for the thrill of the fight. It was invigorating for guys like Chris to “take it outside,” or in this case, from the Facebook comment section to “irl.” It seems even the softest, most conciliatory Kamala voters aren’t taking the bait today. This year, it’s the Trumpers begging to have a nice, quiet meal with the relatives whose rights they just voted against.

Back then, though? “The Oath” presents a world of paranoia at how much worse things could get, and Thanksgiving feels like a microcosm of civic normalcy still within the individual citizen’s control. Soon, some felt that things would get bad in a way we could not, on our own, curtail. Instead of thinking about life beyond their home’s walls, they shut out the orange man’s rhetoric and stuffed their faces with turkey. They metaphorically surrounded the house with a circle of salt to keep the evil at bay. 

This year, everyone has seen more than enough to know that breaking bread with the enemy is a wasted effort.

“The Oath” is available to stream for free using your library card on Kanopy.

The post Black Friday appeared first on Baltimore Beat.

This story was originally published by Inside Climate News.

With Republicans on track to win control over both chambers of Congress and Donald Trump returning to the White House in January, the responsibility for keeping the clean energy transition going has passed to states. Maryland, where Democrats hold the governorship and control both chambers of the legislature, is primed to lead that charge from the front, experts and advocates believe.

“Maryland has the most aggressive short-term greenhouse gas reduction goals in the country,” said Kim Coble, executive director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters. “We have been a leader across the nation, and fortunately, our governor is committed to being a national leader on this. So Maryland has an important and significant role to play.” 

Even so, anxiety is setting in as residents consider what a second Trump term could mean for Maryland, including the fate of billions of dollars in federal funding granted during the Biden administration for the clean energy transition. 

During a Nov. 8 cabinet meeting, Gov. Wes Moore tried to allay some of those fears when he said that his administration had been preparing for a possible Trump victory for months. “In February, I convened my advisors to begin scenario-planning for possible outcomes of the 2024 presidential election. We have worked tirelessly for months, analyzing how Donald Trump’s plans might impact Maryland,” he said, without touching upon the specifics of his plan. 

Some state legislators and environmental advocates expect the Trump administration to rescind at least some federal funding, particularly for environmental justice programs. 

“I’m sure the Trump administration is going to try and pull those [funds] away,” said Jillian Blanchard, director of the climate change and environmental program at Lawyers for Good Government, a nonprofit advocacy group. “We are tracking a lot of the environmental justice grants that didn’t go to the state, to communities within Maryland and across the country, to make sure and help those grantees get all of those funds obligated before a Trump administration takes over.”

She added that a lot of the federal funding within the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act has already been announced and is in the process of being awarded. “At that point, the funding is and should be protected under the Impoundment Control Act,” which prevents the president and other government officials from redistributing congressionally allocated funds, she said. 

The Inflation Reduction Act triggered the preparation of state-level climate plans, which required state and local governments to work together and build coalitions, Blanchard noted. Those plans can still be implemented with funding that’s already been awarded. 

“Maryland is a good example of taking strong climate action in advance,” Blanchard said, pointing out that Moore issued a wide-ranging executive order in April, directing state agencies to come up with climate implementation plans no matter what happens at the federal level. “All of that will take place regardless of federal support. The states have a lot of power to move things forward on climate and Maryland is one of them.”

Del. Lorig Charkoudian, a Democrat from Montgomery County, said that for decades, a majority of climate policy and action happened at the state level. The IRA and the Infrastructure Law were exceptions to that rule. 

“While we are devastated that we’re likely going to be going it alone, we will double down on our commitment to climate and specifically to a clean energy future grounded in good union jobs that build a middle class, and we can do that at the state level,” Charkoudian said. 

She pointed out that many components of the IRA are baked into tax structures and have been leveraged by both Republican- and Democrat-led states. “My hope is that because it’s so well structured and so effectively distributed across the entire country, that it will stay [despite political pressure],” she said.

The concern is whether funding for specific programs managed by federal agencies will continue under new appointees. “The second thing is regulations,” Charkoudian said, “for instance on emissions or in the case of home appliances,” which she said would have a significant impact on climate justice.

“Home appliances have an impact in terms of healthy housing and cost savings for people, especially low-income folks or people who’re paying a lot for their electricity bills. So I worry about that.”

Morgan Pinnell, managing director for the mid-Atlantic at Advanced Energy United, a clean energy advocacy group, said that manufacturing of electric vehicle charging infrastructure underway in the state could take a hit under the Trump administration “because they may dismantle the incentives and programs that create demand for it.” 

Maryland could also miss out on $69 million in efficiency rebates because the state agencies have not applied for it, she said, adding that another $100 million under the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships award could be lost if the U.S. Department of Energy’s Grid Deployment Office doesn’t close the negotiations in the next two months. “The $62 million Solar for All grant, which is part of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, should be fine. But it’s fair to worry about Trump Administration scrutiny,” Pinnell noted in emailed comments. 

Justin Balik, senior state program director at the nonprofit Evergreen Action, said the Biden administration’s work getting IRA money out the door gives Moore “a huge opportunity to continue to drive clean energy development in the state, helping businesses and developers leverage all those tax incentives.” Some of those IRA incentives are credits and deductions on EVs, energy-efficient home improvements such as heat pumps, and clean energy projects. 

States like Maryland will also need to counter actions by an incoming administration hostile toward climate action, Balik said.

“Governors are sort of the front line of the defense strategy,” he said. “They are in a position to mobilize the business community, mobilize constituencies that are actually working on clean energy projects, to speak out in terms of what these historic investments are actually delivering for communities.”

State-led litigation was a central pillar to beat back anti-climate efforts in the last Trump term, when California and attorneys general from several other states, including Maryland, filed over 70 climate and environmental lawsuits against the federal government, he said. 

“If you go back to the George W. Bush administration, Massachusetts joined 11 other states in challenging the EPA, which resulted in the federal government being required to regulate greenhouse gas pollution,” he said. “State-led litigation, coalitions of states teaming up on legal defense, is going to be important.” 

States will also need to do more within their own borders to keep decarbonizing big sectors, from buildings and construction to power and transportation, Balik said.

“I think Gov. Moore is positioned to do that. We also know that clean energy is creating jobs and lowering costs across America, and it remains a huge economic opportunity for states to bring in new investment and economic development,” he said. “It really is going to be up to states to fight back against what we expect to be President-elect Trump’s climate denial and to accelerate their own ambition.”

The post Advocates expect Maryland to drive climate action when Trump returns to Washington appeared first on Baltimore Beat.

The Baltimore Ravens currently hold a seven-four record and are second in the AFC North. But the four losses aren’t because the opposing teams were better. It’s because the Ravens, while being a good football team, are not a smart football team.

The Ravens have self-inflicted wounds and those wounds are responsible for each of their losses. From bad special teams to bad defense, they have been the main party responsible for losing games. As former New England Patriots Head Coach Bill Belichick recently said, the only team that can beat the Ravens is the Ravens. It’s going to affect this season if they don’t figure it out soon.

Here’s what we know: this team is undisciplined. At times they appear to be poorly coached. They are still in search of an offensive identity. They lack a consistent pass rush. And they are dealing with a kicker issue and we are well into the second half of the NFL season. 

Currently, the Ravens lead the league in penalties, and the team behind them has 10 fewer. The offense continues to deal with illegal formation penalties week after week, and as a result, has negated positive offensive plays and essentially stopped offensive drives. This is a coaching problem. Being over 11 weeks into the season, there is no excuse for having the same issues over and over. 

The Ravens also have a Derrick Henry problem. Henry was brought in this past offseason to bring the running game over the top and make this offense a real threat. And while we have seen Henry’s brilliance multiple times this season, he somehow goes missing in games. In the Ravens’ four losses, Henry has gotten the ball 13, 18, 11 and 13 times, disrespectfully. The Ravens didn’t have Henry in the game for the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he was absent when the Ravens went for a two-point conversion. This is malpractice. On average, Henry should get 20 carries a game at a minimum. He forces defenses, to be honest. And at times, creates conflict. And while it is easy for us to blame offensive coordinator Todd Monken, let me remind you that quarterback Lamar Jackson has been given full autonomy at the line of scrimmage. How many of these run plays have been called in the huddle, only for Jackson to change the play to a pass play?

The team also has a Justin Tucker problem. It is no secret that the kicker has struggled this season, missing six kicks thus far. Tucker is three of seven for kicks over 50 yards and missed two kicks in the Steelers game last Sunday that essentially cost them the game, as the Ravens lost by only two points. While the NFL as a whole is struggling to make kicks, the expectations have always been high for the future Hall of Famer. This is as uncharacteristic as it gets, and it could potentially cost the Ravens other games moving forward.

The defense is…. what it is at this point? Defensive coordinator Zach Orr has put players in conflict with his complex defensive game plan. While they have good players on every level, the defense is too exotic at times, and puts players out of position. While they played extremely well against the Steelers by not giving up a touchdown, they continue to struggle in pass rush and pass defense. The defense doesn’t have a consistent pass rusher or the option to move Nnamdi Madubuike around to wreak havoc due to a lack of depth at the interior line position. The Ravens’ refusal to allow defensive backs to travel with a specific receiver put a huge target on Brandon Stephens’s back, as offenses attack him often, knowing he plays one side of the field. 

Now, I stand ten toes down on what I said. The Ravens are a good team but not a smart team. I say that because, while all of these issues are a recipe for disaster, the Ravens are too talented to ever be out of it. If the Ravens finally smarten up, they have a clear path to New Orleans.

Things they need to do:

First, get the penalties under control. Twelve penalties against the Steelers for over 100 yards is egregious, no matter how you spin it. It is hurting the team. Coaching needs to work overtime with the players to figure out how to mitigate the penalties. If the overtime isn’t enough, then overtime some more!

Second, RUN DERRICK HENRY! You didn’t bring him to Baltimore to have him watch the game on the sideline. Henry is at his best in the third and fouth quarters when defenses start to get tired. USE HIM! He is the best weapon for this team! I’m talking to you, Todd Monken (and maybe Lamar, too). 

Third, simplify the defense some. The players will continue to say it’s a communication problem, but to me, if you are confused about the coverage then maybe it’s because the coverage itself is confusing. Make it simpler for them. Blitz more. Stunt more. This will help the secondary more, and thus help them get off the field more.

The Tucker situation is one I don’t have an answer to. Some believe it is the place holder’s situation, while others place the blame more on Tucker. I’m sure the Ravens are trying to figure out what to do, but it may be time to bring in a kicker and put him on the practice squad for insurance purposes. While you’re not going to get rid of Tucker in-season, you need to have a guy in tow, competing with him, in case the problems continue.

The Ravens are a good team. It is now time for them to figure out how to be a smart team. Their season depends on it.

The post Reeta Hubbard: The Baltimore Ravens are a good football team, not a smart one appeared first on Baltimore Beat.