Anime convention changes the face of Baltimore
August 8, 2008
It’s that time a year again, when the enthusiastic, often obsessive followers of the subculture that is the world of anime (the melodramatic, often sci-fi influenced genre of Japanese animation), and manga, anime’s comic-book counterpart—come together, dress up like their favorite characters from Vampire Hunter D or Ninja Scroll, and stroll around the Baltimore Convention Center and its environs, hobnobbing with fellow enthusiasts and listening to talks by their favorite artists.
That’s right, it’s time for Otakon, the convention for the “otaku generation,” which has taken place in Baltimore since 1999. The group’s Web site says the fans plan to “descend on Baltimore to celebrate all anime, manga, and all facets of Asian pop culture!”
This year’s convention, which features notable artists such as Masao Maruyama, Kazuko Tadano and Hiromi Matsushita, is expected to draw about 20,000 people, make use of 4,500 hotel rooms, and have a total economic impact of $8-10 million, according to Sam Rogers of the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association.
“Having these wonderful people visit our city, explore Baltimore, and explore the worlds of anime and pop culture is great,” he said.
But the real treat, of course, is the costumes.
“There’s quite a range, from people dressed in kimonos—which is the subtle end of things—to the woman in the black outfit who was reaching to grab a cup of coffee from her friend, when her plastic knife fell out,” Rogers added.
We managed to snap a shot of this lovely convention attendee, dressed in a black-and-pink themed ensemble, complete with bunny ears, on her way to the party.
ROBBIE WHELAN, Business Writer
Multimedia: Businesses discuss Artscape’s impact
July 17, 2008
There is no doubt that Artscape provides an opportunity for increased revenue for some local businesses. With the extension of the festival this year to the 1700 block of N. Charles St., more businesses could reap the benefits of the large crowds on hand. Most businesspeople we spoke to there are optimistic about their involvement this year.
Not everyone is looking forward to Artscape, though. While the influx of people may help some businesses, others may find their regular patrons are avoiding the jam-packed area.
And the price of Artscape is not just economic. At the Sales Gallery, we spoke with Ricki Rutley, a longtime resident of Bolton Hill. Although she acknowledges the festival’s positive impact on Baltimore, she and her neighbors have been inconvenienced in the past. She’s had her tires slashed and her car keyed. She said that visitors cram into the parking spaces in Bolton Hill, knowing full well that they will be ticketed. People in her community, she says, even plan a vacation during the stretch of Artscape.
Personally, we think that what Artscape has to offer is worth the hectic, headache-inducing weekend. Annie Gray of Sofi’s Crepes seemed to agree when she told us, “It’s going to be crazy. We’re going to be working nonstop. We’re really looking forward to it. It’s…going to bring a lot of people in and a lot of newcomers who haven’t been here before.”
Watch the videos below to see what some business owners had to say.
RICHARD SIMON and QUINN STRUKE
Even in Norway, city’s reputation precedes it
June 9, 2008
The talkative 19-year-old on his way home by train to Oslo, Norway after a year in the navy asked my family where we were from. We gave our typical response to foreigners: Washington, D.C. It’s not that we are ashamed of our Baltimore roots, it’s just easier for non-Americans to place Washington on their mental maps.
Then we started talking about television and the teenager mentioned one of his favorite shows was “The Wire.” So when told him we were from Baltimore, his eyes lit up. “Is it really like that?” he asked. “Does everyone own guns over there?”
So, Charm City’s place in the global community is secure… and if you want to read more observations from my 10-day trip through scenic Sweden, Denmark and Norway, check my post on the Exhibit A blog.
DANNY JACOBS, Legal Affairs Writer
Sphere: Related ContentInternational travelers, take note
June 9, 2008
Who needs customer service? We pump our own gas, scan our items at the grocery store, print our own movie tickets and check our own baggage at the airports.
Now the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is getting in on the game — last weekend marked the launch of a pilot program where international travelers coming back to the States can use a kiosk to record themselves as officially back in the country and declare any items for customs.
The program, overseen by DHS’s Customs and Border Protection division, is available for travelers passing through Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental, New York’s John F. Kennedy International and Washington Dulles International airports.
To become a Global Entry member, applicants must provide residential and biographic information, undergo a background check and complete an interview with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. Applications and the five-year, non-refundable $100 member fee can be submitted online through the DHS Web site.
Do people think this will benefit airports by alleviating the long lines that can collect at the re-entry points in airports? The DHS press release announcing the kick-off notes:
“The initiative promotes customer service techniques in officer interactions with the traveling public, and includes joint efforts with the private sector and industry stakeholders to reduce wait times.”
Or do people think this will make these airports less safe? What’s worse when you’re traveling — long lines and dealing with tired customs agents or the thought that somebody could be getting by the agents with something they shouldn’t?
LIZ FARMER, Business Writer
Sphere: Related ContentFamilies’ spring break plans run short
March 12, 2008
Half of families embarking on an upcoming spring break trip will be gone only four days or less, according to a new survey by FastPark, an off-site airport parking company that has two lots at BWI airport.
The survey found that 49 percent of people were traveling for fun; 42 percent were visiting family and friends; 7 percent said their trip was educational and 1 percent were traveling for a philanthropic reason.
The most popular departure date was the Friday or Saturday prior to the start of their child’s spring break.
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentBaltimore, most underrated city?
March 3, 2008
I’m a little wary of this item - even though it’s on MSNBC.com (courtesy of Sherman’s Travel) - because it looks too good to be true.
But, for the same reason, I can’t help but blog about it.
Charm City is No. 1 on the list of the most underrated cities in the nation. Mount Vernon, where I write this post from, even got a nod (”home to the nation’s first large-scale Washington Monument”). Other pluses for the city include blue crabs, the abundance of history and sports, John Waters’ films and Harbor East, “where a number of hotels and restaurants are opening their doors.”
JACKIE SAUTER, Web Editor
Sphere: Related ContentU.S. Olympic delegation to pass on Chinese food
February 22, 2008
Apparently the phrase “When in Rome, do as the Romans do” doesn’t apply to the U.S. Olympic Committee. According to an article on ESPN.com, the more than 1,000-member delegation of athletes, coaches, trainers and other personnel will be bringing their own food supply to China this August for the 2008 Olympics.
Really.
It’s got the Beijing officials understandably disappointed, although the article also points out that food safety in China has become a major issue for the Olympics. Tainted products and reported use of drugs and insecticides in food production could trigger a positive drug test, ruin an athlete’s career and be a public relations disaster for China, the article said.
While the U.S.’s 600-plus athletes will still be dining in the Olympic Village, the rest of the delegation (which isn’t eligible for meals at the village) will fill up at a training camp at Beijing Normal University, where the committee plans to ship “tons of meat and other foods.”
OK, I understand the drug-testing thing. But if the athletes are eating at the Olympic Village anyway and the U.S. food will be consumed primarily by non-competitors, why the concern?
I’ve never been to China, but I lived in rural Mexico and not once did I get sick off the food. I don’t say that to pat myself on the back, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out that the water there should not touch your lips or your dishes unless it comes from a bottle.
So what gives? Does anyone think this undermines the spirit of the games and the privilege of being the host country? Or in this day and age is it better to play it safe?
LIZ FARMER, Business Writer
Sphere: Related ContentBush vs. Osama—Child’s Play?
September 10, 2007
My daughter couldn’t resist. She was walking recently on the outskirts of the medina in Rabat, the capital of Morocco, when the product being hustled by a teenage street vendor caught her eye.
The package said “Path Crash 911—Super Funny Children’s Toy, Ages 3- and up.” Looking closer, she saw a miniature train set featuring small figures of President Bush and Osama bin Laden. The young small businessman had one in operation, and she watched as Bush—armed and in a military vehicle—raced around the track after bin Laden—riding a skateboard—pursuing but never catching him.
Don’t keep mummy waiting
September 6, 2007
Want a shortcut to Tut?
You should. The Franklin Institute advises you to get to the museum 90 minutes before the time stamped on your $32.50 ticket for “Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs,” and one look at the line snaking up three floors to the exhibit hall is all the explanation you need.
On our Labor Day weekend trip to Philadelphia, my husband and I cheerfully estimated it would take at least another hour, and possibly two, to get from the back of the line to the leather ropes at the front. I say “cheerfully” because we were doing the math while we breezed past the huddled masses (doing our best not to make eye contact as we passed them by, and passed them by, and passed and passed and passed them by), thanks to the VIP passes that came with our hotel package.
You say “elitist,” I say “efficient.” And not a little serendipitous. When we booked the package, we knew the VIP passes were untimed — meaning you can see the exhibit whenever you choose — but we didn’t know that VIPs get their own separate line. (There were four people in ours.)
Which means you can spend 90 minutes waiting in line, or spend the same 90 minutes enjoying a champagne brunch of eggs Benedict and lemon-ricotta pancakes with mixed berries at the Four Seasons, followed by a 10-minute stroll past the Swann Fountain to the museum and into the VIP queue.
Other hotels offer one-night packages starting at $185 per couple. You’d spend almost half of that on two “timed” tickets and parking at the Franklin Institute, if you can find a spot.
Sure, Ben Franklin may have been big on that whole penny-saved, penny-earned thing.
But what would the Boy King do?
—BARBARA GRZINCIC, Managing Editor, Law
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