Shelonda Stokes, 51, grew up poor in Baltimore City. Her childhood was transient, as she was raised by her mom and attended three different elementary schools. Her dad died from drug activity. Life wasn’t easy. But when she was 14 years old, she landed her first job, as a custodian responsible for cleaning at Harborplace.

As she worked, she admired everything downtown had to offer. And she was determined to make something of herself.

“Isn’t it serendipitous?” says Stokes, today the president of Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB).

After graduating from Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, Stokes earned a degree in electrical engineering from Morgan State University and began her career at Hewlett Packard, working on a $10 million government contract. She then co-founded greiBO, a boutique advertising and communications firm, which she still co-owns today.

She was on the board of DPOB and, in 2019, she became its first minority chair. When the president announced he was leaving in January 2020, she stepped up to serve as interim president. Then COVID-19 hit. Far from wearying her on her new post, “That’s when I literally fell in love with this organization,” she says. During the pandemic, DPOB was an “essential” business.

In addition to keeping her staff safely working, Stokes initiated important programs like Curbside Baltimore in support of local restaurants and retailers. She put herself forward for the presidency and was selected by the board, beginning the job in June 2020.

As Stokes describes it, the mission of DPOB is to be the keepers of the downtown area—doing everything from keeping it safe and clean to providing marketing and economic development.

During her tenure, DPOB’s revenues have more than doubled; the State of Maryland has agreed to relocate 12 of its agencies to Baltimore’s Central Business District, which comes with a $50 million allocation; and she created the BOOST program, which stands for Black-Owned and Operated Storefront Tenancy.

BOOST helps both Black businesses as well as downtown, which has seen increased vacancy. With the program, business owners who have been in business for at least a year can apply. Those selected not only receive $50,000 that they use can toward their buildout, site improvement, operations, and lease, but are given legal advice and free training in financing, marketing, and merchandising.

The program is so successful that DPOB has been invited to speak in Vancouver at the International Downtown Association, Congressman Kweisi Mfume invited Stokes to speak about it to the National Small Business Administration, and it’s been covered by Black Enterprise as well as Ebony magazines.

“My vision for downtown Baltimore is a thriving ecosystem of people, art, and culture where creativity flourishes, and diversity is celebrated. An urban center rich with amenities, businesses, theaters, restaurants, sports, and entertainment within a walkable footprint. And where every place, from streets to alleys, is transformed into galleries and meeting spaces that ignite our growing population,” says Stokes. “That’s where I want to live and work.”

ingle mom Megan Kelly, who lives in Ruxton, wanted something more than “just a daycare program” for her daughter Emerson, now four years old. “I wanted an engaging and stimulating preschool experience,” she explains, “something educational that would take advantage of Emerson’s sponge-like ability to learn and grow as a young child.”

A nurse at Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, Kelly understood the importance of the preschool years. “The brain develops so much in the first years of life,” Kelly says.

“These years matter.”

A product of a Montessori preschool herself, Kelly knew that she wanted Emerson to attend a program based on the teachings of Maria Montessori, an Italian physician and educator in the early 20th century. “I loved learning and gravitated to the Montessori environment, where I could follow my curiosity and learn at my own pace,” Kelly says. “I knew Emerson would thrive in a place like that, too.”

In particular, Kelly liked the mixed-age classrooms offered at Montessori schools. Educating the whole child, instead of focusing only on academic goals like learning letters and numbers, was another appealing feature.

“As crazy as it sounds for a young child, I wanted Emerson to start learning how to be a helpful, empathetic member of society,” Kelly says, “and to be socialized with children from diverse nationalities and cultures.”

“Young children are capable of more than we give them credit for,” says Katie Rooney, director of early childhood education at Irvine Nature Center, which runs The Nature Preschool. “In our program, students spend the bulk of time in nature and learn to be stewards of the environment.” They even go home and nudge their families to do things like cut down on waste and live a greener lifestyle, Rooney says.

Aside from a well-rounded curriculum, other factors mattered to Kelly as she searched for a fit—cost, location, hours, safety measures, and even outdoor play space.

As a healthcare provider, Kelly cares a lot about safety. Although she enrolled Emerson before the coronavirus pandemic started, she trusted the school’s approach to safety from the beginning. Others attest to the importance of trusting your child’s early learning provider.

“First and foremost, parents need to feel comfortable with the health and well-being of their child,” says Ameka Smith, executive director of early childhood at the Y of Central Maryland, which operates five preschools in and around Baltimore. But comfort doesn’t come easily when parents can no longer tour programs in-person or drop by to observe.

“Before COVID, parents could go into a center and see firsthand how children engage with teachers,” Smith says. “That’s not possible with virtual tours.”

Smith advises parents to spend time during or after a virtual tour talking to the director and teachers. “Get a sense of who they are as people and how they run their program and classroom,” she says. Ask how they communicate with parents—and how often. “Open, ongoing communication is crucial because it eases the anxiety families feel from not being able to pop in the classroom,” Smith explains. “It also helps parents support and extend their child’s learning at home.”

Make sure the curriculum is both age-appropriate and designed to foster skills like creativity and problem-solving, she says. “Some parents want to see step-by-step crafts like the perfect-looking reindeer or bunny,” Smith shares. “More meaningful art projects are thought-provoking and less teacher-directed.”

Natasha Morton, preschool director of the Y Preschool at Weinberg, advises parents to look for programs that value hands-on learning and movement.

“Preschoolers really should not be sitting down for more than 10 to 15 minutes straight for any kind of learning activity,” Morton says. “They need to be playing and interacting with their environment.”

Morton says parents sometimes misinterpret what it means for preschoolers to play. “Children learn all kinds of things through play,” she says, from social-emotional skills like sharing and taking turns to academic skills like naming colors and learning to count.

With countless preschools and childcare options in the Baltimore area, parents face a difficult decision and “ultimately need to figure out which one best fits your family,” says Morton, who has taught in or directed preschools for 29 years.

“Research has told us for a long time now that children learn best through play,” says Rooney of Irvine Nature Center. “Yet in our rushed lifestyles and inundation of information about what our kids should be doing—music lessons, art lessons, sports teams— unstructured play can get left out.”

The solution, Rooney says, is for teachers and parents to slow down and give kids time and space for unstructured, or free, play. “When we toss out our agendas and see the world through kids’ eyes, that’s when the deep learning, the magical stuff, happens.”

Starting Your Early Education Search

Here’s a list of selected schools and day care centers in the Baltimore area.

◆ Apple Ridge Montessori School
200 Ingleside Ave., Catonsville, MD 21228.
410-818-2000. appleridgemontessori.org.

◆ The Baltimore Montessori
Canton: 1001 S. Potomac St., Baltimore, MD 21224.
Locust Point: 1530 E. Fort Ave., Baltimore, MD 21230.
410-980-7449. thebaltimoremontessori.com.

◆ Beth El at Federal Hill
1530 Battery Ave., Baltimore, MD 21230.
410-528-6001. bethelbalto.com/beth-el-federal-hill.

◆ Beth Tfiolh
3300 Old Court Rd., Baltimore, MD. 21208.
410-486-1905. bethtfiloh.com/preschool.

◆ Bolton Hill Nursery School
204 W. Lanvale St., Baltimore, MD 21217.
410-728-0003. boltonhillnursery.org.

◆ Bright Horizons at Harbor Point
1201 Wills St., Baltimore, MD 21231.
877-624-4532. child-care-preschool.brighthorizons.com/md/baltimore/harborpoint.

◆ Calvert School
105 Tuscany Rd., Baltimore MD 21210.
410-243-6054. calvertschoolmd.org.

◆ Celebree Schools
1306 Bellona Ave., Lutherville, MD 21093 and other locations.
410-515-8650. celebree.com.

◆ Chapelgate Christian Academy
2600 Marriottsville Rd., Marriottsville, MD 21104.
410-442-5888. chapelgateacademy.org.

◆ A Child’s Place, Notre Dame of Maryland University
4701 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21210.
410-532-5399. ndm.edu/childs-place.

◆ Children’s Magnet and Children’s Manor Montessori Schools
7105 Dogwood Rd., Windsor Mill, MD 21244 and other locations.
childrensmagnet.com.

◆ Columbia Academy
Multiple locations.
410-312-5233. columbiaacademy.com.

◆ Downtown Baltimore Child Care
237 Arch St., Baltimore, MD 21201.
410-659-0515. dbcckids.org.

◆ Dulaney Day Preschool
6915 York Rd., Baltimore, MD 21212.
410-377-2702. dulaneydayschool.com.

◆ Emmanuel Methodist Preschool
10755 Scaggsville Rd., Laurel, MD 20723.
301-725-6600. emmanuelpreschool.com.

◆ Garrison Forest School
300 Garrison Forest Rd., Owings Mills, MD 21117.
410-363-1500. gfs.org.

◆ Gilman School
5407 Roland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21210.
410-323-3800. gilman.edu.

◆ The Goddard School (Canton)
1000 S. Highland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21224.
443-842-5300. goddardschool.com.

◆ Goldsmith Early Childhood Center of Chizuk Amuno Congregation
8100 Stevenson Rd., Baltimore, MD 21208.
410-486-8642. chizukamuno.org.

◆ Govans Presbyterian Preschool
5826 York Rd., Baltimore, MD 21212.
410-435-8189. govanspres.org.

◆ Grace Preschool
5407 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21210.
410-532-2235. gracepreschoolbaltimore.com.

◆ Greenspring Montessori School
10807 Tony Dr., Lutherville-Timonium,
MD 21093. 410-321-8555. greenspringmontessori.org.

◆ Harford Day School
715 Moores Mill Rd., Bel Air, MD 21014.
410-838-4848. harfordday.org.

◆ JCC Early Learning Center
3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills 21117.
410-559-3589. jcc.org.

◆ Kiddie Academy of Locust Point
1215 East Fort Ave., Baltimore, MD 21230.
667-930-3677. kiddieacademy.com/academies/locust-point/

◆ La Petite Academy of Baltimore
2434A W. Belvedere Ave., Baltimore, MD 21215.
888-330-2878. lapetite.com.

◆ The Park School of Baltimore
2425 Old Court Rd., Baltimore, MD 21208.
410-339-7070. parkschool.net.

◆ Peabody Preparatory
21 E. Mount Vernon Place, Baltimore, MD 21202.
667-208-6640. peabody.jhu.edu/preparatory/ways-to-study/departments/earlychildhood

◆ Redeemer Parish Day School
5603 N. Charles St., Baltimore, MD 21210.
410-435-9510. redeemerpds.org.

◆ St. Paul’s Schools
11152 Falls Rd., Brooklandville, MD 21093.
410-825-4400. stpaulsmd.org.

◆ Step By Step Children’s Learning Center
47 Loveton Cir., Sparks, MD 21152.
410-771-4151. stepbystepclc.com.

◆ Stoler Early Learning Center of the JCC of Greater Baltimore
3506 Gwynnbrook Ave., Owings Mills, MD 21117.
410-559-3554. jcc.org/elc.

◆ Towson Presbyterian Preschool
400 W. Chesapeake Ave., Towson, MD 21204.
410-337-2762. towsonprespreschool.org.

◆ Waldorf School
4801 Tamarind Rd., Baltimore, MD 21209.
410-367-6808. waldorfschoolofbaltimore.org.

◆ Woodbrook Early Education Center
25 Stevenson Ln., Baltimore, MD 21212.
410-377-8919. weecenter.net.

◆ Y of Central Maryland
Catonsville: 850 South Rolling Rd., Catonsville, MD 21228.
Towson: 301 W. Chesapeake Ave., Towson, MD 21204.
UMBC: 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250.
Weinberg: 900 East 33rd St., Baltimore, MD 21218.
Y Chipmunks Preschool: 2102 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg, MD 21048.
ymaryland.org.

In the weeks since social distancing measures have become the new normal, with Marylanders now under a stay-at-home order and nonessential businesses closed to the public, the Baltimore arts community has seen its own changes.

Museums, theaters, and concert venues have been forced to close their doors indefinitely to slow the spread of COVID-19. But this hasn’t stopped local creators, who in unprecedented circumstances, have shown up in countless ways to meet Baltimoreans where they are (which, for the most part, has been in their living rooms.)

But the city remains active with healthcare professionals, first responders, restaurant workers, delivery drivers, and other essential employees keeping Baltimore neighborhoods busy.

For this reason, Downtown Partnership of Baltimore (DPOB) has launched #ArtofBaltimore, a new digital campaign in collaboration with Maryland Art Place and the BROMO Arts & Entertainment District.

Created to support local artists and spread positivity in public spaces, the ongoing campaign will feature digital signage by a rotation of two artists, who will be announced every two weeks, via Downtown Baltimore’s 13 interactive kiosks (IKEs) and the Penn Station digital billboard.

“Usually, during times of strife, people respond by coming together with friends and neighbors, but this disease requires we do the opposite,” says Michael Evitts, DPOB’s senior vice president of communications and brand strategy. “Because the IKEs are large and quite visible, even to passing motorists, turning them into digital easels seemed like a no-brainer.”

In the coming weeks, Evitts says IKEs will display everything from paintings and digital illustrations to mixed media and sculptural pieces from a safe distance. All of these, he hopes, will offer “meditative and peaceful moments,” during a time that is stressful for many.

“Art can divert your mind to comfortable things,” says artist Mike McConnell, whose work hangs in the Inova Schar Cancer Institute’s Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery in Washington, D.C. His piece “Pond Talk” is featured in #ArtofBaltimore’s first rotation of artwork.

“Pond Talk” by Mike McConnell, acrylic on panel for #ArtOfBaltimore

“Animal Pile” by Emilee Beeson for #ArtofBaltimore

“I think you can tell that I was happy making it,” McConnell says of the colorful piece, which was chosen along with Emilee Beeson’s “Animal Pile” to kick off the campaign. But McConnell’s piece was created before the pandemic, which in recent weeks has caused many like Beeson, who worked full-time as a senior designer for a Baltimore-based agency, to be furloughed from their jobs.

“The involvement in [#ArtofBaltimore] has become more significant and important than I ever could have imagined when I first applied,” says Beeson of the campaign, in which selected artists receive a $250 licensing fee for the use and display of their work.

“It’s been something positive to work towards in a moment where I feel discouraged and down,” she adds, although Beeson knows she’s not alone. Like Evitts and McConnell, she hopes her piece will offer viewers a moment of calm amid chaos.

“It was definitely born out of my own need for a break, and I would hope that other people experience it in the same way,” Beeson says of the piece, which she describes as “…a fun, colorful, dense composition of animals doing something crazy.”

“I hope they just feel happy and maybe pause and take a minute to look at it, snap a picture with their phone, and have a minute of positivity,” she adds.

Kirby Fowler’s daughter, Victoria, has spent more than 300 hours volunteering at The Maryland Zoo. Often, when he came to pick up the 18-year-old environmental studies major from her shifts, he was regaled with behind-the- scenes stories, as she told him about the fast bonds she made with the zoo’s animals.

The idea of this type of camaraderie and place with a mission like the zoo’s slowly started to appeal to Fowler. When he reached his 15th year this May as the president of Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, the 53-year-old began to take stock of his future. As soon as he became aware this summer that Don Hutchinson, the president and CEO of the zoo, was stepping down, he expressed his interest. And this past week, Fowler was announced as The Maryland Zoo’s new president and CEO, effective June 30th of next year.

“I’m so excited to learn so much about zoology,” Fowler says. “I was able to see the zoo in a different way from the experience of my daughter. I’m not an expert—I won’t pretend to be—but I’m going to learn a lot over the next several months and take those lessons out in the world.”

Whatever firsthand knowledge Fowler might lack when it comes to working directly with animals, he makes up for in leadership experience. At Downtown Partnership, he and his team of more than 100 helped transform Downtown Baltimore into the city’s fastest-growing neighborhood, oversaw the creation of arts districts in Station North and Bromo Tower, and worked on revitalizing many of the city’s markets.

He also collaborated with city and state officials and the private sector to renovate McKeldin Square, and encouraged the overall development of Downtown Baltimore as a residential and commercial center. It’s this initiative that drew the zoo’s board to Fowler, who was selected after an extensive search process.

“Kirby’s history and success with major initiatives through Downtown Partnership were an important consideration,” says Jennifer Lowry, president of The Maryland Zoo’s board. “We were looking for someone who had a strategic approach as well as an ability to interact with state and local government officials and business leaders. Kirby rose to the top with his engagement, energy, and passion.”

A Baltimore resident for 29 years, Fowler feels there is a good amount of overlap between the skills required for his soon-to-be new job and the one he’s held for 15 years. In April, he will begin to shadow Hutchinson, as he prepares to take over an institution steeped in tradition as the third-oldest zoo in the country.

“I have tons of ideas,” Fowler says. “But I need to spend a decent amount of time learning how zoos work. My main job is to keep the zoo’s progress going, to continue to draw attention to its important conservation work, and keep drawing people to experience all the zoo has to offer.”

In the past decade-plus, the zoo has had over $65 million in renovations and upgrades, including the addition of lemur and penguin exhibits as well as infrastructural improvements like water and gas lines. The zoo receives an annual $5 million state grant as part of its funding, along with contributions from the City of Baltimore and its surrounding counties.

Fowler will still be hard at work in his current post before he officially steps down—most notably continuing to transform Lexington Market, a project that will pick up steam in 2020. Downtown Partnership has yet to name a successor, but is currently looking for his replacement.

As for his new role, Fowler will assuredly receive help from all those around him, whether on the professional or personal side. Not surprisingly, his daughter was especially excited to hear the news of her dad’s new job.

“Victoria can’t work at the zoo because I’ll be president,” he says with a laugh. “But she’s already given me special tours given her experience and lessons—and it’s been wonderful.”

Charm City is home to a colorful combination of cuisines, and this summer is the perfect time to expand your culinary palette. Baltimore Restaurant Week is back July 27-August 5, with more than 100 places bringing the best to your plate.

In its 13th year, the summer food frenzy is the longest running promotion in the region to offer delicious discounts. Participating restaurants will have special selections on fixed brunch, lunch, or dinner menus for the week, fueled by the collaborative support of the Downtown Partnership and Visit Baltimore.

For brunch and lunch, restaurants offer choices for two courses that range from a total of $12-20, and for dinner diners will have choices for three courses ranging from $20-$35. Reservations can be made online or through the mobile app Opentable, which is also partnering to sponsor the event.

New this year, nearby parking garages sponsored by LAZ Parking will have a $5 weeknight rate and a $10 all-day weekend rate, according to Jessie Krebs, Visit Baltimore’s public relations manager. While in years past the biggest obstacle might have been getting a parking spot downtown, Visit Baltimore wanted to make that easier.

“We realized that over time there has been perception that parking downtown can be a hassle for customers,” said Visit Baltimore president and CEO Al Hutchinson. “This year we wanted to show that that perception isn’t a reality. We’re hoping that that will be something special for this restaurant week.”

This summer, more than 100 restaurants are participating in Baltimore Restaurant Week, so we wanted to narrow it down to some of the highlights.

Unbeatable Brunch: Wicked Sisters
The brunch bites at this Hampden site are looking wicked good. We like french toast. We like muffins. We’re ready to try the French toast muffin. This first course menu option starts with a cinnamon sugar muffin, and is stacked with maple syrup bits, whipped cream, and Nutella powder. You just can’t make this stuff up. 3845 Falls Rd., $15-33, (410) 878-0884

Unrivaled Lunch: Tio Pepe
Stopping in for lunch at Restaurant Tio Pepe’s brings you straight to Spain. This year, the homemade Spanish cooking comes in several options for two midday courses at $15. Take time to try authentic dishes like gazpacho a la andaluza to start, and finish it off with tortilla Espanola Don Quijote or filete Tio Pepe. 10 E. Franklin St., $15-35, (410) 539-4675

Most Creative Menu: The Food Market
Does the idea of worms in dirt make you salivate? If your first thought is dark chocolate pudding with oreo crumbs, then you have the right instinct about dirt cups. The Food Market is making Restaurant Week extra fun with funky desserts and dishes like loaded nachos, duck confit potato skins, lobster-salted fries, and more. 1017 W. 36th St, $35, (410) 366-0606

Vegetarian-Friendly Place: Encantada
Last summer, this enchanting New American menu was our favorite sustainable option of Charm City’s restaurant week. And this year, not much has changed as Encantada still brings us back to basics of fresh eating, from vegan to vegetarian to virtually any diet. Through brunch, lunch, and dinner, the menus are almost entirely meatless, including choices like tofu tacos and cauliflower steak. Take your time atop the American Visionary Art Museum, and enjoy $15 bottomless mimosas, Bloody Marys, Evolution Craft Brewing drafts & sangria at brunch and lunch. 800 Key Highway, $20-35, (410) 752-1000

The Newcomer: Chez Hugo Bistro
The latest French bistro has had our hearts since its opening this past Valentine’s Day. Its spacious dining room is best for big parties and its semi-casual ambience is ideal for families, friends, and food. For restaurant week features, you’ll find French classics like soup à l’oignon, Croque Monsieur, and steak frites for lunch or dinner. 206 E. Redwood St, $20-35, (443) 438-3002

Outdoor Option: Cafe Fili
Fill up at Cafe Fili with mediterranean mezze meals that will make you want to come back for more. From paninis, hot dips, cold dips, and a baklava selection, the adventurous eats are ideal when paired with fresh air while dining al fresco out front. The cute corner cafe is modest and quaint, making for a casual outing in Mt. Vernon. Another bonus: its lunch and dinner menus have many vegetarian options. 816 Cathedral St., $12-20, (410) 244-1600

Sweet Spot: Kora Lee’s
Even the most savory items are prepared with a sweet spin at this gourmet dessert cafe, which is perfect for our indulging our inner sweet tooth. For a $15 lunch, options include ricotta heirloom tomato tart, blueberry feta salad and pineapple Thai chicken. But bring your appetite for brunch if you want a really tasty treat, like the Nutty Buddy banana pudding French toast. Yum. 602 N. Howard Street, $15, (443) 602-0167

Neighborhood Spot: Annabel Lee Tavern
While restaurant week is the best time to try something new, it’s also great to get deals at your local favorites. And Annabel Lee is a classic we can’t get enough of. The traditional American tavern is offering a $28 three-course dinner. Start with Old Bay gazpacho, an ode to Maryland heritage, and find other fan favorites like the crab cake platter or petit filet mignon. 601 S Clinton St., $28, 410-522-2929

Biggest Bargain: The Black Olive
The authentic Greek fish tavern in Fells Point offers an array of elegance and fine dining. Their menu is still in the works, but you’ll feel especially fancy with their upscale seafood options, for no more than $35 at dinner. 814 S. Bond St., Price TBD, (410) 276-7141

Best Beverages: Petit Louis
Last but not least, Petit Louis completes our week with French food and fabulous wine—oh la la! Imagine you’re sharing a tartelette aux peches or mousse au chocolat blanc. You’ll need a perfect wine to complement your dessert, and Petit Louis’ selection of pairings is set at $19. 4800 Roland Avenue, $35, (410) 366-9393

Sharpen your skates and tighten the laces, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor ice rink is officially open for the season.

The new ice rink opened Friday in its new location at the top of the Inner Harbor Amphitheater, providing this year’s patrons with waterfront views overlooking the harbor. Thanks to the slight change in venue (last year’s rink was located across the street at McKeldin Square) there’s more space to skate with 6,000 square feet of ice.

With a bigger area to accommodate skaters and a new location more accessible to foot traffic, Waterfront Partnership hopes the new rink will attract even more visitors.

“In 2014, we welcomed over 20,000 people and saw marriage proposals, appearances from Santa and Navy midshipmen, Special Olympics activities and lots more. We look forward to welcoming even more visitors to the Waterfront this year,” said Laurie Schwartz, president of Waterfront Partnership.

Plenty of holiday-themed events and programs are planned throughout the season, including Costume Skates, Frost Fest, Pajama Skate, and SkateFest, benefitting Special Olympics Maryland. Visitors can find a full lineup of events and details on discounts, parking, skates, and more on the rink’s website.

The rink will remain open through Monday, January 18. Skates are available to rent on site for $4 and season passes are also available. Open hours are Mondays, 3:00-7:00 p.m.; Tuesdays through Thursdays, 3:00-8:00 p.m.; Saturdays, 11:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m.; and Sundays, 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.