Laureen's Baltimore Blog

I have always thought that, despite being near the top of the oceanic food chain, sharks get little respect. Sure, people fear them, but respect is another matter. The National Aquarium has a whole wing devoted to its personable dolphins, but sharks are just one in many among the rest of the exhibits.

Once a year, though, sharks get their due during Discovery Channel's Shark Week. The cable network and Aqurium will devote hours of programming to the ocean predators during Shark Week 2008, which is July 27-August 2. The National Aquarium develops special programming during this week where visitors learn fascinating tidbits about these amazing animals like the fact that prehistoric megalodon shark was as big as a Greyhound bus.

Expert Aquarium exhibit guides are on hand throughout the week with special programming related to sharks. Plus there's the ongoing special programs of "Sharks! Behind the Scenes Tour" or "Sleepover with the Sharks."

Where is this? Post answers in comments below.

Artscape 2008, the three-day festival in the Mount Royal Cultural Arts District, just north of Mount Vernon, is the largest free public arts festival in the nation. And this year it got a bit bigger as Artscape pushes northward to the Station North Arts District near Penn Station, making the crowded event just a bit roomier and showing off the up-and-coming arts district.

As always the popular "art car" exhibit and the Billie Holiday Vocal Competition are once again part of the fun. Plus there's an artist market, live music on four outdoor stages (including performances by Joan Jett and Dru Hill), hands-on art projects and demonstrations, children's entertainment, street theater and an array of festival food. Also new this year is the "Green Food Court." Look for an array of sustainable and organic food vendors, along with information about recycling, reducing carbon footprints and making a difference.

Street closures for Artscape begin as early as today July 14.

More on Artscape

July 4th is over, and many, myself included, are now looking forward to a nice calm weekend. But that doesn't mean you have to stay home, just maybe find things to do that are a bit quieter than fireworks.

How about an outdoor movie? This weekend's flicks at the under-the-stars film fests in neigborhoods like Little Italy, Charles Village and Federal Hill include:

• Close Encounters of the Third Kind
• Moonstruck
• Ratatouille

"Weird Al" Yankovic plays Pier Six Concert Pavilion in the Inner Harbor on Friday, July 11. Though a little louder than a movie, the comedic singer is maybe not quite on the decibel level of booming fireworks. But perhaps as much fun. Next week, Donna Summer plays the outdoor concert venue.

And if all this calm and quiet stuff is not for you, stop by Druid Hill Park where the Caribbean Carnival Festival runs from July 11-13. Follow the traditional island “parade of bands” of musicians in colorful costumes playing soca, reggae, and steel drums, then park it for a more stationary concert of live international entertainment.

With the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games now less than a month away, I thought it time to take a look at some of Maryland's Olympic contenders. Of course, Michael Phelps is the superstar, not just here in Baltimore but internationally. So I'll start with Phelps, and next week I'll cover his fellow Olympic swimmer Katie Hoff.

While "superstar" might sound like hyperbole, there really is no better way to describe the Towson high graduate, who is poised to break several Olympic records in Beijing, not the least of which is the seven gold medals in one Olympic Games earned by Mark Spitz in 1972. In 2004 he won eight medals (six gold and two bronze), tying the records for the most medals in a single Olympics. Phelps made his first Olympic appearance at age 15 in the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.

In April 2008, Phelps announced that he would move back to Baltimore after a four-year stint in Ann Arbor, MI, where he attended the University of Michigan.

Swimming has always been a way of life for Phelps. His two older sisters were also competitive swimmers, who like Phelps and Hoff trained at the North Baltimore Aquatic Club in Mount Washington. When he was young his parents found that the sport was a good way to channel the excess energy of the Rodgers Forge native, who was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Read Full Profile

Al Bello/Getty

Vacations and other summer fun can do a number on your wallet. So if you're back in Baltimore now and looking for activities that don't break the bank, check out these free events and attractions:

• Artscape
• Free Outdoor Films
• Walters Art Museum
• Baltimore Museum of Art
• Free Concerts
• Heritage Walk Tour

And coming up at the end of July, restaurants all over Baltimore are offering big discounts during Restaurant Week.

More:
Discounts on Dining and Attractions
Save Money with Restaurant.com

The big Inner Harbor fireworks show caps off the July 4th celebration, but don't miss out on all the other festivities leading up to (and after) the fireworks.

See the Orioles play the Rangers at Camden Yards. On July 4, students with valid ID get a discount to the game, which starts at 4:35 p.m. If you don't feel like dealing with parking in the Inner Harbor on the Fourth, the O's are in town through Sunday.

Street performers and a musical lineup that includes the U.S. Naval Academy Band are on tap for Independence Day at Harborplace. But Harborplace's musical offerings go on all weekend with its regular summer concerts on Saturday and Sunday.

The 8th Annual Waterfront Jazz and Arts Festival in Middle Branch Park (near the Hanover Street Bridge) runs both July 4th and 5th. However, if you go on the Fourth you get the added benefit of a great fireworks view and only $5 parking.

U.S. Coast Guard cutter The Sanibel arrives in the Inner Harbor on Saturday evening. The 110-foot cutter docks at Pier 1 (Constellation Dock) until departing Sunday, July 6 at noon. However, it will have a visiting hours from 8-10 a.m.

More:

• Fort McHenry
• Baltimore County Fireworks
• Going to Washington, DC
• Holiday Hours
• BSO Concerts
• More July Events

Doug Pensinger/Getty

OK, I know it's not until the very end of this month. (Summer Restaurant Week is July 26-August 3, to be exact.) But reservations fill up fast, especially on the weekends, during thing popular summer event. More than 90 restaurants across the Baltimore area offer special three-course dinners for just $30.08 and some offer lunches for $20.08. This year to help diners who've been shut out of getting a reservation at their favorite spot, organizers have extended it to cover two weekends. However, not all participating restaurants offer the deal on the weekends.

The air-conditioned comfort of a movie theater like the snazzy new Landmark Theatre in Harbor East can spell relief from Baltimore's heat. But sometimes in the summer, you just gotta get outside despite the weather, and after dark can be the coolest time.

So no need to stay indoors for a movie this summer. Grab a blanket, a cooler and catch Baltimore's free films under the stars. Communities from Bel Air to Fells Point are hosting the the shows. While some of the film series don't start until July, several, like the AVAM movies on Federal Hill, are already under way. This weekend you can see flicks ranging from Shrek the Third to Rebel Without a Cause.

More Outdoor Events: Summer Concerts

Sure, the Inner Harbor fireworks are spectacular. And Fort McHenry puts on a "Glorious Fourth" celebration, but across the Baltimore area you'll find July 4 parties, both large and small. Check out all these event and then make your plans.

• Inner Harbor fireworks
• Baltimore County celebrations
• July 4 in Washington, DC
• Annapolis July 4th events
• Independence Day in College Park

Or if you plan to stick close to home and maybe have a few friends over, check out these July 4 party planning resources.