Catonsville residents have been watching the construction of the Frederick Road building, formerly Chiropractic Plus, for the past few months. Beautification of the frontage has been the topic of many conversations. The long awaited grand opening of the new "Frederick Road Veterinary Hospital" was this Sunday. An "Open House" invited neighbors, pet owners and interested people in to see the new facilities. After brunch (a huge mistake as tasty treats from Catonsville Gourmet were served) we headed over to take a tour. My son was hoping to see some animals, but only the stuffed kind were available. "Frederick Road Veterinary Animal Hospital in Catonsville. "Create a free slideshow with Picnik! What we did see was a pristine and sun filled space with ample room for many animals to be car... 11/09/2011

Hillcrest Elementary School in Catonsville has partnered with the local Pediatric Dentist, Smiles 4 Children in Catonsville in a "Halloween Candy Buy Back". Encouraging the students to DONATE the sweet treats that they collected last night will be rewarded with a Pizza Party for the grade that donates the most candy.All the candy is then shipped to our brave service Men and Women serving in Iraq & Afghanistan. Apparently the Kindergarten grade never wins. Maybe they don't collect as much or they are unwilling to part with their loot?  My competitive (wonder where he gets that from?) 5 year old wants to change that at the school. He wants his grade to win.His brother is an Army cadet and he has also watched over the years the care packages that we have sent to his Uncle Nick who has comp... 11/01/2011

Resources in Baltimore County for Children-Parent, Teacher, Home School, Child Care   Last week Sydney's teacher asked me to go to The Southwest Resource Center to laminate some posters that she and the kids had created.  I had never heard about this great place.  It's just off 695, Wilkens Aavenue exit, near Maiden Choice Lane. I had no idea what a great place I was about to find!    It's a crafter/teacher/parent/homeschool/child care NIRVANA!   According to Christine Peter, the parent services rep at the Maiden Choice location "The Southwest Resource Center for Families and Schools at Maiden Choice School is committed to supporting student achievement in homes, schools, and communities. The center – located in the annex building at Maiden Choice - offers support and encouragement to p... 11/01/2011

Many areas of Catonsville, Maryland are a delight to view on foot. In the Hillcrest Elementary School district area of Catonsville the walk score is 78. Mostly in part to the amenities available on Frederick Road, but not even taking into consideration the relatively quiet streets and wonderful residential neighborhoods that surround the commercial district that are a pleasure to visit (and live in). One of my favorite activities is to enjoy an evening walk around the neighborhood with a camera in hand. The abundance of mature trees, individual unique homes and seasonal decorations are a feast for the eyes at all times of the year.Here are a few festive homes getting ready for Halloween. "Halloween in Catonsville." Create a free slideshow with Picnik! All photos were taken and are the p... 10/28/2011

Are you looking for some exercise and entertainment this weekend in Catonsville, Md? Head to St Marks Catholic School in the heart of Catonsville on Saturday October 29th for the 5k Monster Dash and 1M family Fun Run. Despite the weather predictions of the first snow of the season with a chilly wintry mix, the fun will start at 8:30am. Click here for registration and details. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you are planning to move to the Central Marylandarea and you want a BUYERS AGENT that really knows the area and all that it has to offer, I can help. (Personal tours of the area included in the service)If you are looking to successfully sell your Maryland home with a Realtor who will market your property with multiple resources... 10/28/2011

A quick Pumpkin 911 ~ Tips to preserve your pumpkin. There are several primary causes of "pumpkin rot" The intact skin of a pumpkin protects it until you carve it.  But then various organisms (fungi, bacteria, molds, fungi, protozoans, insects) can get inside and start to break it down. Oxygen in the air can also easily enter & cause oxidation. Simple dehydration (drying out) will will begin the moment the pumpkin is carved. All of this will turn your beautiful carved lantern into a shriveled eyesore in a short period of time. How to preserve your pumpkin for as long as possible: First remove the insides- It's a dirty job, but someone has to do it! Sterilize the pumpkin's carved surfaces (to kill fungi, mold, bacteria, bugs) Seal the surfaces to prevent drying  Here are the simple steps... 10/15/2011

The September 2011 Catonsville Market Report. Life is great in 21228. The Real Estate market in Catonsville has been very active of late. In September there was a considerable increase in sales in comparison to the same month in 2010. The sold dollar volume increased by 33.68%, possibly fueled in part by the low interest rates. There was a 22.22% increase in units sold.23 of the 33 homes sold in 21228 for the month of September sold within 3 months of the original list price. The average percentage of sold price to original sale price was a comfortable 94.1% As a very active agent in the Catonsville area, the one characteristic of the current market is that the inventory is very low. The Active homes in the price range of $400,000 and above is very limited. Currently, as of mid October,... 10/15/2011

How do I raise a financially responsible child? As a loan officer I talk to people almost every day who have no idea what it means to be financially responsible. I see credit scores in the low 400's and multiple insufficient funds on bank statements.  I get calls from people that don't understand why the fact that they haven't paid their bills on time, ever, means they can't qualify for a loan.  I had a woman with 13 credit cards that her husband didn't know about.  She didn't understand what the problem was since there was money left over at the end of the month after all the bills were paid.  There was $30,000 on those cards, but since she paid the minimum payment, on time, each month,  she thought she was fine.  She didn't realize that the interest rate on most of those cards was ove... 10/10/2011

Catonsville in Baltimore County, Maryland  - "Life is Great in 21228!" Catonsville- A GREAT place to call home!There are two very distinct areas of Catonsville, Md, although both areas share the same zip code of 21228.These areas have been referred to as "Upper Catonsville" and "Lower Catonsville"."Upper Catonsville" is the area North of Rt 40 and of course  "Lower Catonsville" is South of Rt 40. Woodlawn High School serves "Upper Catonsville" and Catonsville High School district covers "Lower Catonsville". You may also hear residents refer to Catonsville as "The 'Ville"See below for more schools served by each area!   There are many incredible large Historic Victorian and Colonial homes located in Catonsville that were built by wealthy Baltimoreans. Originally, these communities were u... 10/04/2011

Pay It Forward-Feeding A Cold and Hungry Stranger I was running a bit late this morning.  I had hoped to be in the office by 10, and it was just after 10 when I left the house. Rushing out the door, I noticed a man sitting on the curb across the street from my house.  This is pretty unusual, I don't live on a main street or on a bus route.  As I was putting my bags in the car, I asked him if he was OK.  I thought maybe he was a neighbor out for a walk and something had happened.  He said he was hungry and didn't have money for food. I went back in the house and checked for something I could give him.  Based on his clothing, I was concerned that a ham sandwich or leftover pork chops wouldn't work.  I thought about making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and as I reached for the peanut ... 10/04/2011

Yesterday, Thursday September 29th was Rosh Hashanah and Public Schools in Baltimore County observed the Jewish New Year Holiday with a day off of School. The night before my son and I talked about why he was not expected to go to class the following day and about different holidays throughout the year.He decided he was going to get himself dressed before we went to the park. This was his wardrobe selection.He caused quite a stir at the playground at St Marks Catholic School in Catonsville as the students enjoyed recess! Thankfully I have a very independent child who does not care a hoot about what others think.......I hope he stays that way!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you are planning to move to the Central Marylandarea and y... 09/30/2011

This is the Catonsville, Maryland house that Jim bought for ZERO money. This week my clients settled and  moved into their new home in Catonsville. It was the BEST deal EVER. They purchased this beautiful single family custom Colonial home in the Hillcrest Elementary School district that is walking distance from the local pool. The house was originally listed for $509,900 and my clients comfortably paid $417,000 with over $11,000 closing help that we negotiated into the transaction.In the beginning Mrs. Buyer was not convinced that they would be able to buy a home. There were challenges but I introduced them to George Kuda of Prosperity Mortgage and he started working his magic. He spent a great deal of time getting the buyers to a comfortable place so they could qualify for a loan.My c... 09/29/2011

Cut and Color Genius?  You Decide! I put a post on facebook the other day "Help! I need a color specialist in Catonsville (or nearby) who can give me a haircut/color that will work for me....so done with the blond!!" The first response was from a friend saying that her Aunt owns Perfect Touch.  And later: "My aunt's name is Carol. I don't know her specific hours, but i'm told that everyone there is fantastic. Another saying "I love Perfect Touch on Frederick Road. Cara Platter is a color/cut genius! Good luck." And another "I second Amy's comment. I also love Cara !!" Gotta love social media.  3 friends that all recommended a salon...Asked and answered.  My appointment was today.  Here is how I walked in....Now to be fair, it's been too long for a cut and color, too long since the eyebr... 09/27/2011

One thing that needs to be known from the start is that "I Hate Gardening". When I purchased my Catonsville home I was happy that it was just a small little yard, but even that is just too much to handle. I would have gladly had astro turf rather than real grass. Some people find pottering around a garden an enjoyable hobby, to me it is a chore that I put off for as long as possible and then I grumble and groan and pull out everything that is growing. However, I have a 5 year old who wanted to grow things this year. I compromised and we planted a few plants. Sadly most of them bloomed while we were overseas this year, but on arrival home the one watermelon plant we had planted (and abandoned) had taken over the garden. There was one lone watermelon that we have watched grow.Here is the ... 09/23/2011

  All photos were taken and are the property of Ellie McIntire. All Rights Reserved. This content may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Ellie McIntire or an officer of The McIntire Team.   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you are planning to move to the Central Marylandarea and you want a BUYERS AGENT that really knows the area and all that it has to offer, I can help. (Personal tours of the area included in the service)If you are looking to successfully sell your Maryland home with a Realtor who will market your property with multiple resources, call me for an appointment. These are the areas that I serve Buyers orSellers in the Metro Baltimore area :  Howard County, Baltimore County, Baltimore ... 09/21/2011

One of the reasons I frequent the Catonsville Arts and Crafts festival in Catonsville every year is because I know that the local Catonsville lodge of Freemasons on Newburg Avenue will be opening their doors and inviting us in to do a Complete Maryland Child identification kit that could one day save my child's life......although I hope I NEVER have to use it. This program is provided free of charge to Maryland Parents who wish to participate. It takes about 20 minutes to fill out paperwork and have your child interviewed. You then get to leave with a comprehensive envelope of information that includes the following.  CD with child’s name, address, height, weight, eye color, hair color, description of distinguishing marks, notes on health concerns, birth date, parental / guardian conta... 09/17/2011

The Catonsville Arts and Crafts Festival September 11th 2011One of my favorite events of the year in Catonsville is when the main road is closed down from Melvin Ave to Bloomsbury for the "Catonsville Arts and Crafts Festival". In it's 38th year it offers a wide range of eclectic vendors to tempt the eye and the pocket.Last year it was teaming down with rain, but still many people came out to enjoy the fun. This year it looks like the rain has passed after some very intense days and the sun will shine. I imagine that there will be more than a few with TV's set up so they can watch the first game of the Ravens season too.10am till 5pmFrederick RoadCatonsville. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you are planning to move to the Central ... 09/10/2011

It's "Purple Friday"in Maryland. A tradition during football season in Maryland is that Baltimore Raven's fans wear purple on Fridays. It's an accepted business attire that shows the support for the local Baltimore football team.This morning I woke up to a #5 Joe Flacco shirt covering my face. It's the highlight of this week for my 5 year old. Sadly that shirt is just too small so the larger version of a # 27 was the clothing of choice  I dropped my son off at school at Hillcrest Elementary School in Catonsville and it was a sea of Baltimore Ravens jerseys in support of the first game of the season on Sunday. Teachers and Children alike wore the team shirts with old and new players. I even saw aStoverjersey. It really was a mess of purple.It's great to see the local pride and this will ... 09/09/2011

  All photos were taken and are the property of Ellie McIntire. All Rights Reserved. This content may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Ellie McIntire or an officer of The McIntire Team.   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~If you are planning to move to the Central Marylandarea and you want a BUYERS AGENT that really knows the area and all that it has to offer, I can help. If you are looking to successfully sell your Maryland home with a Realtor who will market your property with multiple resources, call me for an appointment. These are the areas that I serve Buyers orSellers in the Metro Baltimore area :  Howard County, Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Harford County, Anne Arundel County, Carroll C... 09/07/2011

Yes, I would love to write you a check. INVEST IN HILLCREST E.S.I am a proud parent of a brand new Kindergartner at Hillcrest Elementary School in Catonsville Maryland. His official public school education will finally start tomorrow- thanks to Hurricane Irene and the disruptions! A bitter sweet day!The previous 3 years my son attended the wonderful Mothers Day Out Westchester pre-school and around the beginning of the school year he came home with a book of Pizzas and cookies that myself and all the people I could cajole into buying would sign up for. A few weeks later and an awful lot of effort and stress (due to not getting the correct order to the correct recipient) it would all be over. The school would benefit from 50% of the proceeds and I would have a freezer full of chocolate c... 09/06/2011