Baltimore County : Buzz

Owings Mills-based Centric Business Systems is growing and hiring.

From the source:

Centric Business Systems has nearly doubled the size of its corporate offices in Owings Mills. Now, the company is looking for more workers to fill the space.

The office technology company was to unveil Wednesday afternoon its new 40,000-square-foot digs along Red Run Boulevard. Before cutting the ceremonial ribbon (you know there’s going to be a ribbon), Centric’s Rick Bastinelli, the company’s president, told me he has plans to hire another 30 employees by the end of this year.

Read the full article here.

Frederick-based BlueRidge Bank will soon open a new retail location in Towson.

From the source:

BlueRidge Bank is scheduled to open its first full-service retail branch in the Baltimore area on Sept. 12.

The Frederick bank has had a commercial banking office in Towson since June 2010. But, its new Towson branch at 502 Washington St. marks BlueRidge’s first retail banking location outside Frederick County.

Read the rest here.

Baltimore County's library system is $475k to the positive thanks to a surprise gift from a former librarian.

From the source:

"The foundation received a bequest this week of $475,000 from the estate of Margaret "Peggy" Peterson, a former BCPL librarian, who demonstrated her commitment to libraries in death as she did in life. Peterson, who died in 2006, was a BCPL employee from 1963 until her retirement in 1986, and was known for her love of books."

Read the full story here.

Baltimore County is looking to improve openness and walkability in Towson's core.

From the Sun:

"Baltimore County has a plan for the heart of Towson, and it looks like Allegheny Avenue.

In good weather Souris' Saloon can count on serving customers at tables under a black awning on the wide sidewalk where Allegheny meets the traffic circle at York Road. Down the block, Strapazza opens its sidewalk umbrellas for patrons. There's more seating out front at DiPasquale's and Ridgely & Ferrens, finer dining at Cafe Troia, a mix of small stores and the Penthouse high-rise condominium at the intersection of Washington Avenue.

Allegheny isn't burdened by empty storefronts common on streets elsewhere in the town center. And those involved in development efforts say there's also something working nicely in the block itself -- in the mix of businesses and details of windows, sidewalk layout, size of buildings and the way they appear to people walking on the street.

"This is the success story," County Councilman David Marks said, standing on the wide sidewalk outside Souris', where the outdoor tables are often busy long after the work day is over."

Read the full story here.

In Old Catonsville, the area's charming eccentricities help new and longtime residents keep falling in love with the area.

Here's an excerpt:

"If you live in Catonsville, you plunk your lawn chair on the main street to reserve your spot for the Fourth of July parade - weeks ahead of the big day. You are loyal to a snowball stand. And, residents say, you try never to leave.

The quirks of this Baltimore County college town, including a profusion of music stores, endear it to its residents. And its location close to the Penn Line of the MARC train and Interstate 95, makes it convenient for both D.C. and Baltimore commuters."

Read the entire article.

It's not a roadtrip through California wine country, but it's just as good. Using Woodhall's Cabernet Franc as the launching point, a New Yorker has a surprisingly good weekend in Charm City.

Here's an excerpt:

"Then again, if I've learned anything from Baltimore over the years, it's that it is surprising. Known far and wide for many things that do not perhaps add up to a justifiable reason to run into its arms � kooky icons like John Waters or as the setting for multiple David Simon projects, to name two � there is the Baltimore the world sees, and then there is the city behind the image, just dying to be let out. Relaxed, modern, fun � far more appealing than the pile-up of depressing commercialism down on the Inner Harbor. Also, because it is Baltimore, people are generally really friendly.

Baltimore's no longer known as a hotbed for jazz musicians, but one couple is doing what they can to showcase local talent.

Here's an excerpt:

"Jazzway 6004 rests in a tiny enclave dotted with mansion-esque dwellings just past the Baltimore city limits. A renovation in 2005 trimmed the original six bedrooms to four and created a performance space that seats 65 and houses a 6-foot Baldwin grand piano and a sound system. Matheny-Katz recalls how the couple didn't initially intend to hold concerts, but their desire to showcase local talent moved them to open their home to the public. The first concert in June 2007 sold out. "People started calling us and asking, 'When is your next concert?'" says Matheny-Katz, a vocalist who was prepping for a Billie Holiday tribute show in mid-July."

Read the entire article here.

Wondering where the top locations are in Maryland for young people just starting their professional careers?  There're Glen Burnie, Towson and, of course, Baltimore, according to Helium.com

Here's an excerpt:

"Maryland has so many different options available to every class of people that live in the state. Young professionals seem to be on the increase in Maryland and therefore, there must be some areas that are more suitable than others for this group of people to live. There are several cities that are good areas for young professionals to live in Maryland."

Read the entire article here.