Nobody asked me, but while the overall results of the mid-terms were satisfying for Democrats, the highlight of my Election Day experience was the moment when Baltimore Ward 27 poll workers rang a bell and announced a first-time voter — a young man in a dark jacket — and a big cheer went up.
Nobody asked me, but few things make you feel as engaged in your community — and as confused — as standing in a voting booth, reading charter amendments, trying to comprehend their impact.
Suggestion: Next time get a voter guide from the League of Women Voters and book up on the ballot before Election Day. You’ll save time in the booth.
Patriot in a wheelchair: I met Alex Anderson at a get-out-the-vote rally in Bel Air. He was holding a handmade sign that said: “Not Even Cancer Will Keep Me from Fighting Fascism.” He showed the effects of a man dealing with cancer and undergoing chemotherapy. “This will probably be the last time I get to vote,” he said. I checked in with him after Tuesday’s election. “We are so happy right now!” he said in a text message. “Flipping both the House and Senate. I would have loved to get [Rep. Andy] Harris out, but I am definitely amazed at all the wins across our country. Now, I just have to survive until Trump is out of power. I want to celebrate with my wife that day.”
Nobody asked me, but the new play at Everyman, “Different Words for Happiness,” is excellent. Kudos to the playwright, Katie Kleiger, and director Laura Kepley. Three actors make this psychodrama work: Em Whitworth, Megan Anderson and Maboud Ebrahimzadeh. Bravo.
I know it’s known for great meatballs, but Benny’s in Little Italy also offers an outstanding trio of arancini, the Italian — excuse me, Sicilian — breaded, fried rice balls. Benny’s arancini gets the outer crispy and the inner creamy, just right.
Nobody asked me, but the fall foliage along Interstate 97, between Millersville and Annapolis, is pretty stunning. The time for it might be passing about now, but please make a note of it, under cheap thrills, for next year.
Same with the annual Great Baltimore Lantern Parade in Patterson Park. It was wonderful again. So, if you haven’t been, please make a note to get there next October.
Nobody asked me, and I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but the people in the shipping department at Taylor Precision Products, a division of Lifetime Brands, might need some remedial training. I recently received a replacement for a small window thermometer purchased at ACE Hardware, Federal Hill. The thermometer didn’t work. Lifetime Brands promised to replace it. I thought this 4-by-2-inch plastic device would show up in a standard letter envelope. But, when it arrived the other day, it was deep inside a 12-by-12-inch box, in enough bubble wrap to stuff a MyPillow pillow. Wasteful packaging is one of the main reasons I’ve cut back on ordering stuff online. The other reason is . . .
We just need to support local retailers as often as possible. Which reminds me to say . . .
Small Business Saturday is Nov. 28.
Nobody asked me, but if you want a frugal but fun way to give gifts during the coming holidays, try this: Shop in consignment or thrift shops like Goodwill, Salvation Army or Wise Penny. Baltimore and every county have secondhand shops. (Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake opened two new ones this year and says it plans to open three more in 2027.) You might find just the right items, gems worthy of recycling, for the people on your list. You’ll save money and you won’t die of consumption.
Speaking of consumption: Try the Fully Loaded Chicken Salad Sandwich at the Sassy Skillet Cafe and Juice Bar in Towson; the Civilized Lunch at Petit Louis Bistro; the Tekka Don at Yama Sushi, and the steak salad at the Swallow at the Hollow. For a superb Negroni, see Aaron Simons, the bartender at Cosima.
Nobody asked me to use this space for a tribute to Ravens running back Derrick Henry, as I did a couple of weeks ago. And now I’m feeling bad. The King and his team have gone nowhere since.
Nobody asked me, but, at $23.49 a pound, Wegmans Butter Boy French Butter, imported from Normandy, is not for cooking. It’s for schmearing — on bread, bagel or a warm crepe. It’s too delicious to be condemned to a frying pan.
Nobody asked me, but if you’re an ice hockey fan and want a local fix, check out the schedules for both the men’s and women’s teams at Stevenson University. They play home games at the Reisterstown Sportsplex, and their seasons are just underway.
Another good read from Virginia-based author Earl Swift: “Up On Cove Mountain: Adventure, Tragedy and the Quest for Meaning on the Appalachian Trail.” (Mariner Books)
Nobody asked me, but Baltimore really needs to crack down on graffiti. On top of the mess left on various buildings and walls, some of the city’s best murals are being tagged, a depressing and disgusting breach of street-art etiquette.
Dan Rodricks writes weekly for Baltimore Fishbowl. He can be reached via danrodricks.com
