Lifestyles
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Where Jewish families will be hanging out in Baltimore
Now that summer is here, Baltimore families find ways to unwind around town. Here are a few hot spots strongly recommended by some of the area’s Jewish families.
By Linda L. Esterson
The Kaplans
Favorite Hangout: Hunt Valley Towne Center, Hunt Valley
On a typical summer evening, the Kaplan family can be found strolling around the Hunt Valley Towne Center. It’s a nice place to have dinner with the family and shmooze (chat).
They enjoy the modern feel of the complex and often grab a pizza or a quick bite before settling in on benches or chairs to enjoy the free music. The kids — Liana, 11, Jenna, 9, Zachary, 6 — happily lap their ice cream cones while parents Alla and Marc take in the sounds from the free summer concerts Hunt Valley offers on Friday evenings from 7:30 to 9 p.m.
While just minutes away from their Reisterstown home, the Kaplans often run into at least one family they know.
“You get to see people you might not see regular places,” says Alla Kaplan. “It’s a safe place to hang out and there are so many restaurants to choose from.”
Free Outdoor Summer Concerts
Hunt Valley Towne Centre
Friday evenings, 7:30-9 p.m.
- July 17 - The Fugitives
- July 24 - Steve Ports Quartet
- July 31 - Voodoo Economics
- Aug. 7 - Three of a Kind
- Aug. 14 - The Players Band
- Aug.21 - Matt Wigler
- Aug.28 - Checkered Past
Belvedere Square, York Road and Northern Parkway in North Baltimore
Friday evenings, 6-9 p.m.
- July 17 - Blues Therapy
- July 24 - Sons of Pirates
- July 31 - Donegal Xpress
- Aug. 7 - Crawdaddies
- Aug. 14 - The Remainders
- Aug. 21 - Mambo Combo
- Aug. 28 - Junkyard Saints
- Sept. 4 - Sons of Pirates
Quarry Lake Rocks Summer Concert Series
On the lawn between The Shops at Quarry Lake and the LifeBridge Health Pavilion.
6:30-8:30 p.m.
- July 26 - The Bridge
- August 9 - The Players Band
- Sept. 26 - To Be Announced
The Foohey Family
Favorite Hangout: Green Valley Swimming Club, Reisterstown
Every weekend, the Foohey family spends afternoons and evenings at Green Valley Swimming Club in Reisterstown.
Although they travel from Stevenson to Reisterstown, parents Jamie and Brad, along with their kids Sophia, 7, and Will, 8, enjoy the club, because it offers more than just a pool.
The Fooheys joined Green Valley for the family-oriented activities like the Father’s Day campout, happy hour wine tastings, outdoor movie showings and even the tennis clinics for the kids.
“The kids are happy and we’re happy,” says Jamie Foohey. “There’s always something to do.”
Area Wine Tastings
This summer, several additional area venues offer wine tastings. Admission cost may apply.
- Mr. Charles Market, 12147 Park Heights Ave., Fridays 4-6:30 p.m.
- Boordy Vineyards, 12820 Long Green Pike, Hydes: Good Life Thursdays with wine tastings, local musicians and cooking demonstrations
- The 26th Anniversary Maryland Wine Festival Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster, Sept. 19-20, 2009, Saturday 10-6 p.m., Sunday noon-6 p.m.
The Wilkersons
Favorite Hangout: Hannah More Park, Reisterstown
Jennifer and Steve love to take daughter Ella, 21 months, to Hannah More Park.
“It’s a nice evening activity before going to dinner,” says Jennifer Wilkerson, vice president of planning and business development for Good Samaritan Hospital.
It’s a place the Owings Mills family frequents fairly often during the summer. Ella loves the toddler park with the small slide, the car that rocks back and forth and, especially, the swings, on which she asks to swing faster and higher.
Often, their St. Bernard Mauka, 6, joins them. “The dog has as much fun as the rest of us,” says Jennifer Wilkerson.
Most of all, it’s a chance for Ella to play with other children and run around freely. “I love to go to the park and watch her laugh and giggle on the swings,” says mom. “The whole day just melts away. I love it!”
Free Area Playgrounds
- Orchard Hills Park, Lincoln and Bellona avenues
- Oregon Ridge Park, 13555 Beaver Dam Road
- Seminary Park, 1414 Burton Ave.
- Reisterstown Regional Park, 401 Mitchell Drive
The Malones
Favorite Hangout: Soldier’s Delight Natural Environmental Area, Owings Mills
The Malones — Dawn, Dan, Philip, 9, and Matthew, 7 — love to go hiking at Soldier’s Delight. They follow maps of seven miles of marked hiking trails. There are five different winding trails, including one that leads by the historic Choate Mine and another that runs “stream-side.”
An average trip encompasses two miles, the perfect length for the boys and Sunny, their 1-year-old miniature Labradoodle.
“It’s beautiful back there; it feels like the country,” says Dawn Malone. “The kids like to see the wildlife.” There are all kinds of birds, including bluebirds and field sparrows, as well as snakes, deer and foxes.
At least once a month, the Malones leave their Reisterstown home to spend a day at the natural area or further down the road at Liberty Reservoir, where the kids love to fish. Recently, they caught sunfish and bass.
A permit is required to fish at any Maryland waterway for anyone over the age of 16. Permits are available at bait shops and at sporting good departments including Wal-Mart. Fishing is permitted during daylight hours. If aquatic bait is used, it must be certified zebra mussel-free.
The Goldsmiths
Favorite Hangout: Worthington Valley Swim Club, Reisterstown
This is the third summer the Goldsmiths have joined the Worthington Valley Swim Club, just a short ride from their Pikesville home. With Jaxson, 8, and Payton, 6, in camp during the week, parents Irina and Jeff love to spend evenings with them at the pool.
It’s a place where they all meet up with friends. The kids enjoy the playground and the water slides, while the adults enjoy lounging and catching up.
“It’s secluded enough that the kids can play without running into the street,” says Irina Goldsmith. “They are old enough and swim well enough that I don’t have to watch like a hawk.”
Irina Goldsmith cites many reasons for joining the swim club. Fun, convenience, relaxation, and ease are just a few.
“It’s what summer is all about,” she says.
