(Left to right) Baltimore writer and filmmaker John Waters; Johns Hopkins University political scientist Hahrie Han; A crowd gathers walks along Sykesville's main street.
(Left to right) Baltimore writer and filmmaker John Waters; Johns Hopkins University political scientist Hahrie Han; A crowd gathers walks along Sykesville's main street.

Last week, we shared news about a Johns Hopkins University political scientist being named a 2025 MacArthur Fellow, a writers’ conventions and book fair coming to Baltimore, and an arcade game-themed restaurant coming to Hampden.

Revisit the stories here:

Hahrie Han, a political scientist at Johns Hopkins University and inaugural director of its SNF Agora Institute, has been named a 2025 MacArthur Fellow. Photo credit: John D and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
Hahrie Han, a political scientist at Johns Hopkins University and inaugural director of its SNF Agora Institute, has been named a 2025 MacArthur Fellow. Photo credit: John D and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.

“Hahrie Han of Johns Hopkins University named a MacArthur Fellow, will receive an $800,000 ‘genius grant’“: Hahrie Han, a political scientist at Johns Hopkins University and inaugural director of its SNF Agora Institute, is one of 22 individuals chosen from around the world as a 2025 MacArthur Fellow.

Baltimore author John Waters will be the keynote speaker at the Association of Writers & Writing Programs' 2026 Conference & Bookfair at the Baltimore Convention Center. Image courtesy AWP.
Baltimore author John Waters will be the keynote speaker at the Association of Writers & Writing Programs’ 2026 Conference & Bookfair at the Baltimore Convention Center. Image courtesy AWP.

“One of the nation’s largest writers’ conventions and book fairs is coming to Baltimore in 2026“: One of the nation’s largest writers’ conventions and book fairs is coming to Baltimore next year.

Sykesville, Maryland residents and visitors attend the Sippin’ on Summer Festival along the town's main street. Photo credit: Downtown Sykesville Connection.
Sykesville, Maryland residents and visitors attend the Sippin’ on Summer Festival along the town’s main street. Photo credit: Downtown Sykesville Connection.

“Carroll County town’s main street is a semifinalist for national award“: A town in Carroll County, Maryland is in the running for a national award recognizing the top main streets in the country.

Vendors and their wares at Vintage Palooza at R House Credit: Donovan Levy and Jay Wills

“Vintage clothing sellers are building a community in Baltimore“: Curated vintage gatherings and flea markets are flourishing throughout Baltimore City, fueled by feelings of nostalgia, the thrill of the hunt and a growing distaste for fast fashion.

An as-yet unnamed, arcade game-themed bar and restaurant will occupy this space at 1113 W. 36th St. in Hampden. Photo credit: Ed Gunts.
An as-yet unnamed, arcade game-themed bar and restaurant will occupy this space at 1113 W. 36th St. in Hampden. Photo credit: Ed Gunts.

“An arcade game-themed restaurant is coming to The Avenue in Hampden; city liquor board announces changes“: Baltimore’s liquor board on Thursday approved a license transfer for an as-yet unnamed, arcade game-themed bar and restaurant coming to The Avenue in Hampden.