Ladies and Gentlemen...I give you wine...

This is shaping up as a busy weekend. A hop, skip and a jump east in Cockeysville, Maryland Wine is holding it's fifth annual Great Grapes festival. It runs from Noon until Six on both Saturday and Sunday and there's a lineup of musicians performing each day. I've heard good things about the festival.

On Sunday at Harry Grove is hosting the third annual Taste of Frederick. Went last year and had a blast.

Speaking of Harry Grove - The Counting Crows will be headlining a show there in August with an undercard of Live and Collective Soul for $51.50 per person. Not a terrible price to see three decent bands.

And, of course, this weekend is the annual Potomac River Family Festival and Great Brunswick River Race. It looks like there's a lot to choose from.

On Saturday I will be in Poolesville for a game against the North Carolina Tigers. From the Baltimore Washington Eagles home office...

Tigers will be at Eagles in Round 1 of the EAFL competition. As an added bonus, the Tigers will also take on the Philly Hawks in game two of the day.

Add to that a children's clinic that will be run between games and you have a full day of footy to take in. Please contact Chris Adams (christopher_ p_adams@hotmail. com) if you or your little one would like to participate. For more information on Chris' efforts with the USFooty Kids program, please see www.dcfootykids.blogspot.com.

We will be in picturesque Poolesville, MD for the day. The field is adjacent to the Capitol Polo Ground (where the Metro Grand Final was played last year). The map to the ground is below.

http://maps. live.com/ ?v=2&sp=Point. qhgztk8jgg71_ Poolesville% 2C%20Maryland% 2C%20United% 20States_ __~Polygon. qhh40d8jgm8p_ qhgs6p8jgjbr_ qhgvxp8jg6h9_ qhh9q98jg81m_ qhh4xd8jgmp8_ qhh40d8jgm8p_ Footy%20Ground_ ___%230000FF_ %23008000_ 2pt_Single_ Solid_qhh1yz8jgg bw&encType= 1

The entrance to the ground, on the map is at the intersection of Hughes Road and Sugarland Road. We will have signs pointing your way as you come up along River Road from the Beltway.

The first game will start at noon. Kids clinic will begin between 1:30 and 2:00 and the Tigers/Hawks game will take place shortly there after or roughly 2:45pm.

Come on down and cheer us on if you're in the neighborhood.

Ro-o-o-oling on the riiiivvvverrr....

This month festivals abound, kicking it off with the Western Maryland Blues Festival which kicks off tomorrow night in Hagerstown, as well as the Jefferson Ruritan Spring Festival and the Frederick Festival of the Arts this weekend. Then next week there's the annual Potomac River Family Festival and River Race, followed by on the weekend of the 15th there's the Shepherdstown Film Festival. The weekend of the 23rd Linganore Winery will hold its Swingin' Blues Wine Festival featuring the Kelly Bell Band and The Nighthawks.

All of this happening in and around the county, and none of that includes the monthly regulars like Brunswick's First Friday this week, or Frederick's First Saturday and Alive@Five Events. This month's Alive@Five event features soul performers Quiet Fire.

An update soon on the Zombie Movie poll from last week. Let's get more people responding...if I recall, currently the 2004 remake is leading the way as the favorite Zombie film for readers here.

Weekend Warriors...

We've got a busy one this weekend.

You can start off your Friday, as always, with Brunswick's First Friday event and then move on to downtown Frederick on Saturday for Mayfest, First Saturday and Marathon related events. Between the Mayfest and First Saturday, an individual can have a pretty exhausting and satisfying Saturday in downtown.

Then on Sunday I urge all the readers to take to the streets and support the runners in this year's Marathon. I ran in it a couple of years ago, and it's brutal - more mentally than physically, and it really helps in those final miles to have someone egging you on.

Foreign film fans, particularly of the Asian horror genre might want to make the pilgrimage to the Shepherdstown Opera House this weekend where The Host will be playing along with foreign language best picture winner The Lives of Others.

for those of you that want to avoid the crowds that Frederick might attract this weekend, there's a slate of open air market type events scheduled in Hagerstown that might be worth checking out, including the Spring Yard Sale and the Farmer's Market as well as a Museum Ramble.

Been a busy week...

But it's also looking like a busy weekend...unfortunately I will be missing local festivities due to visiting family. Brunswick's First Friday event is built around bicycling this month, then there's Frederick's Much Ado About Books First Saturday. Don't forget to stop into the Weinberg and meet local photographer David Raimist and see his work.

Early in the day...well, you fit freaks take heart - pre-registration for the 11th Garrett's 5k run held this weekend ends at midnight tonight. For more information, or to register, visit here. Runners that like causes, this one's worth it (the race is in memory of a teenager killed by drunk driving), and its a relaxing run around Baker Park.

Also check out the Hagerstown Farmer's Market this Saturday for some Easter fun. According to Hagerstown's municipal calendar, "From 9 to 11 a.m., children 12 and under can visit with the Easter Bunny and bring their baskets to gather goodies from the vendors."

Sometime in the near future I will have another restaurant review to post, and hopefully another movie review or two.

Once again, sorry about missing a week - and for those of you who have noted that the West Side does not yet seem to be closing, thanks for the info.

First Friday Calling again...

Brunswick is holding their monthly First-Friday event this week with an "Art Abounds" theme. It appears that the focus is heavily on the families with the art displays and events related to the kids.

Things to do will include a performance by the Brunswick High School Jazz Band and sidewalk chalk drawing for the rugrats.

Wish I'd caught this sooner - http://www.downtownfrederick.org/play/ProgressiveDinner.htm

Oh well - will try to keep an eye out for it for next year.

However, this Saturday's Gallery Walk in downtown Frederick is a celebration of the event's 4th birthday -

On Saturday, March 3rd from 5 - 9 PM, First Saturday Gallery Walk turns 4 years old! Help First Saturday celebrate its birthday with FREE birthday cake & punch at three locations, birthday-themed decor on the streets of Downtown Frederick, and party favors given out by participating
merchants!

Will post more for this weekend as I become aware of it.

Talkin' Cabin Fever...and not the film

File this one under, "I put the wife through five months of football, now it's payback time..."

The annual Cabin Fever Festival is due to take place at the Frederick Fairgrounds this Saturday and Sunday. Considering the overwhelming lack of winter weather until the last two weeks, it might not be accurately named for this year, but still provides the area residents a weekend activity. The festival is, according to the Frederick County Tourism Web site, "Listed in the top 100 traditional craft shows in America," by whoever rates those things.

This weekend's event will be held indoors and under heated tents. Admission is $6.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 12. Gates open at 10:00 AM both days and close 6:00 PM on Saturday and at 5:00 PM on Sunday. Food will be available at the venue.

On Sunday the Weinberg will host a matinee performance (2:00 PM) of the American Spiritual Ensemble. The performance will include classic spirituals and Broadway numbers. For more information contact (301)228-2828.

A little bit of throwback for the film buff, also at the Weinberg - 1926's Son of the Sheik starring Rudolph Valentino and the classic silent film will be ccompanied by Ray Brubacher on the Wurlitzer. Guys - this could be a good early Valentine's date sort of thing.

In Mount Airy, Elk Run and Linganore Cellars, two of the county's wineries are combining wine and sweets for the pre-Valentine's weekend with "Wine Roses and Chocolate," a chocolate fondue/wine-tasting at Elk Run and "Cakes to Kisses," a tasting pairing red wines with chocolate at Linganore.

Chinese New Year's Celebrations will be held at both the FSK Mall on Saturday from 2:00 to 4:00 PM and in downtown Brunswick from 1:30 to 4:00 PM at the American Legion Building, 18 South Maple Ave. Both will feature demonstrations of Asian dance, martial arts, and more.

On Monday there will be a Chocolate Gala held at the Holiday Inn next to the FSK Mall. More on that to come.

Things To Do in Frederick When You're Dead, or at least a little wiped from the weekly grind...

The first weekend of every month typically offers a little bit extra in the way of things to do for those seeking recreation around Frederick County. Both the Brunswick Main Streets Program and Frederick's Downtown Partnership (Frederick's Main Streets Program) offer additional things to do as you window shop in those two communities.

Start on Friday evening in Brunswick for the family friendly "First Friday." Shops will have extended hours and will be offering complimentary food and wine. Special activities include a 5:30 showing of Lady and the Tramp and a 7:00 showing of A Summer Place at the Brunswick Railroad Museum while the Ambulance Company Building at 200 West Potomac Street will be hosting a Valentine's Dance for all ages.

Be sure to stop into The Book Crossing at the intersection of Potomac and Maple Ave. They will be offering a fondue fountain, wine and a craft for children. Also checkout Sundance Art & Frame, EBA Sports Apparel & Equipment, and Brunswick Hardware, all regular participants in the First Friday events.

On Saturday, move on to Frederick for the First Saturday Gallery Walk beginning at 5:00 pm. From the Downtown Partnership's Web site, "On Saturday, February 3rd from 5 - 9 PM, Downtown Frederick will turn fire into ice with the Fire in Ice First Saturday Gallery Walk! Join the First Saturday fun with 23 sparkling ice sculptures placed throughout Downtown, a LIVE ice carving demonstration, FREE hot cocoa, and luminary-lined streets!"

Many of the shops in Frederick will participate in the festivities with offerings of their own, however, make it a point to stop into Amber Coast on East Patrick Street (always good for celebratory-type treats), Shab Row and the relatively new Frederick Cellars on East Street, and kitsch-central, CineGraphics Studios where owner Erik Krasner always has something happening.

As for Sunday, if you haven't figured out that I'll be watching the Super Bowl, then you're not familiar with my other blog, or the work I do for bitterfans.com.

Pizza, subs, and wings, oh my!

King's Pizza
W. Potomac Ave.
Brunswick & Walkersville, MD

I came across Kings at the beginning of 2006 during my house hunt.
Owned by a family that moved here more than a decade-and-a-half ago from Brooklyn, King's is one of the two places in Frederick County where you will find truly authentic New York style pizza. The little pizzeria doesn't look like much from the outside, but is definitely worth venturing into.

For those wondering about my qualifications to comment on that - I lived about half an hour north of New York City for 13 years, and had a college internship in lower Manhattan...I know my New York style pizza, and King's is excellent. Certainly worth the 25-minute drive from Frederick if you're a displaced New Yorker, or from that region.

They make an excellent pie, but also offer a menu of typical pasta dishes and the hot and cold sandwiches that often help round out their offerings. If there was one weakness that I pinpointed, it would be their chicken parmesan sub. While the sauce and cheese are nice, and the sandwich is filled to over flowing, in my estimation, the chicken tends to be somewhat overdone and a little chewy. Also, their Buffalo wings would not meet the standards of a native of the Buffalo region. If you truly want proper Wings, you need to get them elsewhere.

Amongst the recommended dishes - the seafood pasta was better than you would expect, the calzone was excellent, the garlic knots are worth taking a flyer on, and King's makes a decent canolli, filling it when ordered so the shell doesn't get soggy from sitting. King's also offers a limited choice of beer and wine for the dine-in customer.

Toppings Pizza
New Design Rd
Frederick, MD

Recommended to me by Ken Busz, the former president of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce, and a displaced native of New Jersey, Toppings is in a neck in neck battle in my book for the best pizza in Frederick County. Like King's, Toppings is owned by an emigre from the greater New York City area (as I understand it, Trenton, NJ, approximately one hour from the Big Apple).

Sadly, I must admit that I never got past ordering pizza from Toppings, but I also never lived as close to Toppings as I currently do to King's. However, for those displaced from the Philadelphia area, they offer tomato pie on their menu, which also covers a variety of the typical offerings for this sort of establishment. Toppings, like King's offers beer to its dine-in customers.

For the sports fan that is also looking to get a night out with his buddies, but doesn't want to deal with the noise levels in a bar, Toppings does have a television that is constantly tuned into ESPN or others sports.

Pizza N' Wing Shack
Souder Rd.
Brunswick, MD

More conducive to taking out than eating in, the Shack is erratic with its best dish: wings. When on, they make the closest thing to proper Buffalo wings (their 911 wings) that I have had since moving south of Manhattan.

Their pizza is okay, at best, but likely to be good for those trying to watch their calories as it is probably lower cal due to a cracker like crust and its smaller than average size.