Laureen's Baltimore Blog

Idea: Let the kids help with field trips to PYO farms.

In addition to that cautious optimism, I also experienced a bit of déjà vu this morning as I listened to WYPR's report about Baltimore City Schools' new healthy menu.

Didn't I hear a similiar story on NPR a few months ago about someplace else? Somewhere far more likely than Baltimore to place an emphasis on tasty, healthy foods? Though I couldn't remember the exact location--maybe California or New York--I distinctly remembered thinking that it would never happen here. So after a quick search this morning I found the similar NPR article. And actually it wasn't one of the United States' culinary capitals that Baltimore is emulating but perhaps the world's mecca for foodies: Provence, France.

More:

• Back to School Baltimore
• Baltimore City Schools Registration
• Baltimore County Schools Registration
• Magnet Schools in Baltimore County
• School Vaccinations in Maryland

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Gallup calls the race between Barack Obama and John McCain "anyone's game," as the candidates head into their conventions. Obama is expected to announce his vice presidential running mate -- via text message -- sometime before the Democrat's political convention in Denver begins on August 25. The Republicans kick off their show on September 1.

With a close presidential race and congressional elections this year, everyone needs to get out there and make their voices heard through the ballot box. After the elections in 2000 and 2004, it might not be accurate to say that every vote counts, but every voter matters.

So now is the time to register to vote if you're not already registered. Get it done before October 14, because voting laws in Maryland prohibit voter registration less than 21 days prior to general election, which is November 4, 2008. In addition to voter registration information, find out how to change your address if you've moved since the last election or how to obtain an absentee ballot.

_{Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images}

Carmelo Anthony

_{Streeter Lecka/Getty}

Michael Phelps 2004

• "America's Aquaman" -Baltimore Sun says Phelps is worthy of consideration as the greatest athlete of all time.
• Photo Gallery of Michael Phelps - See picures of Phelps dating back to when he was just 14.
• Will Phelps, Swimming Now Fade from View? USA Today columnist says that after Baltimore's parade for the Olympian fades into history so will Phelps...until the next Olympics. (FYI, for the 2004 Olympics the parade for Phelps was actually in Towson. I'll keep you posted on the time and location of that event.)
• Thank You, Michael Phelps - Cranky Sporting News reporter has had enough of the Phelps euphoria and is ready to let him fade into history.
• Olympic Records for Phelps - More than just Spitz's record.
• Michael Phelps Swam Here - New Zealand publication recalls how Phelps tested the Speedo LZR Racer in NZ.
• Soon-to-Be-Forgotten Phelps - "Michael Phelps will never have one one-hundredth of the renown in the United States that Ian Thorpe has in Australia," so says The Sydney Morning Herald.
• From of All Places Baltimore... - A truly obnoxious article from the San Francisco Chronicle's website wondering how a kid from Baltimore could be in the "in the same pantheon as sun-splashed Californians like Bay Area-based Don Schollander, Mark Spitz and Matt Biondi." Though, the article does go on to list Baltimore's sports greats.

Click for More Phelps Pictures

Yes, anything can happen when an athlete gets to the Olympic Games (look at Katie Hoff), but the more you know about Michael Phelps' story, the more amazing it would seem if he didn't break swimmer Mark Spitz's record for the most gold medals in a single Olympic Games. And while that record gets all the attention, it is not the only one he smashed during the 2008 Olympic Games.
See All Olympic Record Phelps Set

I will admit that I got a little nervous during Phelps' seventh gold medal race, which he only won but 1/100th of a second, but not too much. That event, the 100-meter butterfly, was the only one in which he didn't set a world record. But my confidence extended to the rest of the American swim team, so I was not surprised when Phelps and his relay teammates, Aaron Piersol, Brendan Hansen, and Jason Lezak, brought home the gold in his eighth and final event of the 2008 Olympics.

More: See Phelps' Results in All Events

The 2008 Olympic medal count for the two Baltimore-based swimmers are:

Phelps: 8 gold
Hoff: 1 silver, 2 bronze

Phelps makes Olympics history, breaking Mark Spitz's record.

However, Katie Hoff ened her Olympic appearance without a gold. She didn't even qualify for her last event, coming in 11th.

What's happened and what's up next? See Phelps, Hoff Schedules and Event Results

More:
Phelps Profile
Hoff Profile
Phelps Photo Gallery

Painted screens are a folk art unique to Baltimore, and one of my favorite things about the city. Though the art form was at the peak of its popularity in the mid 20th century, there are a lot more painted screens around today than you might imagine. I see them every day in Southeast Baltimore. Canton is one of the best places to find them despite the gentrification.

But as this screen door in Canton (above, see more painted screens) shows, time has taken its toll on many examples of this tradition. Over the years the bucolic scenes that once decorated so many windows in Baltimore have faded or been removed by rehabbers or landlords. However, every so often you run across a new one like the beach scene below. The new Southeast Anchor Library in Highlandtown has a display of them.

Another place you can still see freshly painted screens is the American Visionary Art Museum. The Inner Harbor museum has faux rowhouses with painted screens in its Sculpture Barn and shows a documentary about this art form in a continuously running loop.

Ah, back-to-school season. I always approach this time of year with mixed feelings. On the one hand, it sadly marks the end of lazy summer days. Sleeping in (for the kids at least!), trips to the beach, picnics in the park and spur-of-the-moment visits to family attractions. And all with no homework, no lunches to pack and no crazy schedules of after-school activities.

Not to mention, that usually in the month of August, I hit one or more of Baltimore's malls, open my wallet and hemorrhage money -- between school clothes, school supply lists, backpacks, lunch boxes and all the other school necessities.

Yet on the other hand, back to school means more quiet time for me. Six straight hours a day, I can work from my home office without anyone asking when I'm going to be done or what's for dinner. And though they won't admit it, I think the kids look forward to going back. They want to see their friends. And frankly, I think they crave the structure that school gives their days.

Do you look forward to or dread the start of school? Comment below.

Get Ready for Back to School

Either way, Baltimore, it's almost time to put away the beach towels and break out the book bags. So dig out those school supply lists and get shopping. If you're a bit behind and still need to register your child, check out these articles:

• Enrolling in a Baltimore City school
• Registering in a Baltimore County school
• Applying for a Baltimore County magnet school (for next year)

For most area schools, the first day of school is August 25, but Anne Arundel schools stagger their opening day by grade...read more

Michael Phelps 2004

Some dedicated fans will rise with the sun to see Phelps break more Olympic records. If you're not one of them, check their Olympic event schedules for results too.

Opening Ceremonies for the 2008 Olympic Games are Friday, August 8 at 7:30 p.m. and the swimming events are among the first events, running August 9-16. NBC affiliate WBAL-TV, Channel 11, will have full coverage.

More Maryland Athletes

_{Al Bello/Getty}