Baltimore

Still looking to make Memorial Day plans? Whether you want to honor those who have served with an official ceremony at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, or prefer to take advantage of the long weekend with a trip out of town, this guide to Memorial Day 2013 in and around Baltimore has all the information you need.

And don't forget: Baltimore's public pools also open over Memorial Day weekend. However, remember that the pools operate weekends only until a full schedule starts on June 15.

Photo by Tyler Merber, Flickr

Swim season in Baltimore officially begins on Saturday, May 25 with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Solo Gibbs Splash Park, the first of Baltimore's converted wading pools, at noon. Across the city, public pools will be open on the weekends only until a summer schedule is introduced on June 15.

Baltimore City operates six large public park pools, plus more walk-to pools, wading pools, and indoor pools. Swim lessons and CPR training is available; check with one of the pools for more information.

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Many of Baltimore's museums will offer buy one, get one (BOGO) free admission from Sunday, May 19 through Friday, May 24 as part of Baltimore Museum Week. Participating museums and historic sites include:

• American Visionary Art Museum
• B&O Railroad Museum
• Baltimore Museum of Industry
• Baltimore National Heritage Area: Fells Point Heritage Trail
• Jewish Museum of Maryland
• Maryland Historical Society
• Maryland Science Center
• The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore
• National Aquarium, Baltimore
• Port Discovery Children's Museum
• Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture
• Ripley's Believe It or Not!
• Top of the World: Observation Level

Please note that some museums are only offering BOGO admission on certain days during Baltimore Museum Week. Please check Baltimore.org for the specifics.

Some special events are taking place, too, including educational programming, museum tours, and more. Some highlights include:

• Sunday, May 19, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: A day-long arts festival commemorating 150 years of the Reservoir at Druid Hill Park
• Monday, May 20-Thursday, May 23: Clock tours of the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower
• Tuesday, May 21, 6 p.m.: A walking tour of the street art created during the Open Walls Baltimore project in Station Norths
• Thursday, May 23, 1:30 p.m.:  Bicentennial of the War of 1812 celebration at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine

The week corresponds with the American Alliance of Museums' annual conference in Baltimore.

MORE: Museums in Baltimore

Photo by Romainbehar, Wikimedia Commons.

Want to know when to tune in to the Preakness Stakes on TV? The broadcast will start at 4:30 p.m. EST, while the race will take place at approximately 6:20 p.m. EST. It only lasts a matter of minutes, so don't make sure you don't walk away from your TV set. NBC is the official channel for Preakness coverage.

And while you're getting ready to get together with friends and family to watch the race, don't mix up mint juleps. Those are for the Kentucky Derby, not the Preakness Stakes. The official drink of the Preakness is The Black-Eyed Susan, which contains:

• 1 1/4 oz whiskey
• 3/4 oz vodka
• 3 oz sweet and sour mix
• 2 oz orange juice

Mix the drink in a shaker with ice and strain over ice in a collins glass, garnished with an orange or cherry. Try the drink out while you root for your favorite horse on Sunday.

Thoroughbreds will race for the middle jewel of the Triple Crown this weekend when the Preakness Stakes takes place at Pimlico Race Course. Tickets are still available for both grandstand seating and for Infieldfest, which is headlined by Pitbull and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.

Whether you're going in person or planning to watch the race on TV (the broadcast starts at 4:30 p.m. EST on NBC, by the way), bets can be placed online at Xpressbet. Kentucky Derby winner, Orb, has already arrived at Pimlico. Will you bet on him, or take your chances with another horse?

Don't know what to expect at the race course? Check out this photo gallery from a past Preakness.

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Photo by boboroshi / Flickr.

The festival that film buffs anxiously await all year long is finally here. The Maryland Film Festival opens today and runs through Sunday (which, as you should know, is also Mother's Day). A full schedule is available at the festival's website, and if you're thinking about seeing a flick you better act fast, as tickets to many screenings are sure to sell out.

As usual, some celebrity hosts will be presenting films, including John Waters' pick "Paradise: Faith" on Friday night. No matter what genre of film you prefer or whether you're looking to catch a feature length or collection of shorts, there is something for everyone at this film festival.

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Image courtesy Maryland Film Festival.

Mother's Day comes but once a year, so make sure the mothers in your life feel appreciated on Sunday, May 12. Spend some quality time with mom at Cylburn Arboretum's 45th Annual Market Day, or treat her to a nice brunch, dinner, or harbor cruise. You'll find plenty of ideas in About.com Baltimore's guide to Mother's Day 2013, or these links could help, too:

• Wineries & Vineyards Near Baltimore
• Tea Rooms in Baltimore
• Brunch in Baltimore
• Florists in Baltimore

That's right, readers. May is just around the corner. The guides below will clue you into can't-miss events and current museum exhibitions, and help you get the ball rolling on those Memorial Day plans.

• May 2013 Events & Festivals:  Don't miss Preakness Week, the Maryland Film Festival, the Kinetic Sculpture Race, the Transmodern Festival, Wine in the Woods, and more.
• Now at Baltimore Museums: "Defining Moments: An Exhibition of Works by Bryan Collie" at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum will close in May, and there's plenty more exhibitions up around town to check out.
• Memorial Day Weekend: Mark your calendars for Memorial Day, which falls on Monday, May 27 this year. Make the most of the long weekend with these ideas, or take a day trip or weekend getaway out of the city.

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Earth Day falls on Monday, April 22 this year, meaning many local companies and organizations are kicking things off early with festivities prior to the special day--which is fitting, because caring about the earth shouldn't be limited to one day a year!

Baltimore Green Week
Friday, April 19-Saturday, April 27
Now a decade strong, Baltimore Green Week is a full schedule of earth-friendly activities. From canoe trips, bicycle tours, and nature hikes to park clean ups and urban farming workshops, there's a little something for every nature lover out there. The week culminates with EcoFest on Saturday, April 27, when Druid Hill Park will come alive with vendors, workshops, music, and more from 11:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.

National Aquarium, Baltimore
Sunday, April 21, 10-noon
Ride your bike to the Aquarium and receive a courtesy bike tune-up from Joe's Bike Shop. The Richmond Indigenous Gourd Orchestra will perform, and Home Depot, Bike Maryland, Power in Dirt, and additional organizations will lead earth-friendly workshops. Ranger Rick from the National Wildlife Federation will be at the Aquarium, and 1,000 native tree seedlings will be given away as part of the museum's Trees for Wildlife program. Activities are free with paid admission.

Maryland Science Center
Monday, April 22, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Participate in a recycling relay, perform work with a wind turbine, and explore the Maryland Science Center's green roof. Polymer 'recycling' demonstrations will take place at 11 a.m., 11:45 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. Some activities are weather permitting. Activities are free with paid admission.

B&O American Brasserie
Monday, April 22, 4-7 p.m.
Earth Day isn't just for kids: adults can be supportive of earth-friendly activities, too! B&O American Brasseriewill serve $1 oysters (limit 12 per person) during happy hour. The promotion coincides with the restaurant's "Boh's & O's" promotion, when baseball fans can quench their thirst with $0.50 Natty Bohs and $5 appetizers.All oyster shells will be donated to the Oyster Recovery Program.

Photo of a previous EcoFest by greencitybaltimore, flickr.

Food truck fanatics rejoice: The Gathering, Baltimore's traveling food truck festival, has returned. A full schedule for the upcoming months is as follows:

• Friday, April 12, 5-11 p.m.: Baltimore Museum of Industry
• Friday, April 19, 5-10 p.m.: Keswick Castle in Hampden
• Friday, April 26, 5-10 p.m.: McHenry Row
• Thursday, May 9, 5-10 p.m.: Sinai Hospital
• Friday, May 10, 5-11 p.m.: 1901 S. Charles St.
• Friday, May 17, 5-10 p.m.: Stratford University
• Friday, May 24, 5-10 p.m.: Keswick Kastle
• Friday, May 31, 5-10 p.m.: McHenry Row
• Saturday, June 1, noon-10 p.m.: Taste of Two Cities event (Baltimore v. DC)
• Saturday, June 8, 5-10 p.m.: Reisterstown Main Street
• Friday, June 14, 5-11 p.m.: Baltimore Museum of Industry
• Saturday, June 15, 3-10 p.m.: Annapolis
• Friday, June 21, 5-10 p.m.: Keswick Castle
• Friday, June 28, 5-10 p.m.: McHenry Row
• Friday, July 12, 5-10 p.m.: Keswick Castle
• Friday, July 26, 5-10 p.m.: McHenry Row
• Friday, August 2, 5-10 p.m.: Keswick Castle
• Friday, August 9, 5-11 p.m.: Baltimore Museum of Industry
• Friday, August 30, 5-10 p.m.: McHenry Row
• Friday, September 13, 5-10 p.m.: Keswick Castle
• Sunday, September 15, 5-10 p.m.: Hartford County
• Friday, September 20, 5-10 p.m.: Stratford University
• Friday, September 27, 5-10 p.m.: McHenry Row
• Friday, October 11, 5-11 p.m.: Baltimore Museum of Industry
• Friday, October 18, 5-10 p.m.: Keswick Castle
• Friday, October 25, 5-10 p.m.: McHenry Row
• Friday, November 1, 5-10 p.m.: McHenry Row

Although this information is forecast to be correct as of today, all dates and locations are subject to change. Please check The Gathering website for updates. And to keep track of these trucks as they rove from day to day, follow About Baltimore's food truck list on Twitter.

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Image courtesy The Gathering.