Rally for the River Festival 2008

The 9th Annual Rally for the River Festival
The Jones Watershed
www.jonesfalls.org

The Jones Falls Watershed Association could not have asked for a more perfect Sunday afternoon. The 9th Annual Rally for the River Festival was a family friendly event not to be missed. The association started the rally in order to help support the on-going restoration of the waterway. Being relatively new to the region, I had driven on the cities main north south freeway, the Jones Falls Express (or JFX for short), and not once did I know about the river that runs along it from which it derives its name. During the rally they close off the northbound part of this major highway in order to increase awareness of the environment. Here the focus was on the river and it’s importance to Baltimore. Although the much abused and polluted Jones Falls is not ideal for swimming, it can be kayaked safely, and today was the perfect day to rent one and explore. Not a fan of kayaking? Not a problem- other options included biking, skating, rollerblading, running, or just strolling down the JFX.

The small donation fee of five dollars per adult was well worth it. All proceeds went towards restoring and protecting Baltimore’s streams, rivers, neighborhood parks, and the Chesapeake Bay. The festival is not only fun, but serves a valuable purpose. It gets the message out about the importance of preserving the environment. I enjoyed the warm weather, listened to the live bands perform, ate the much anticipated “fair food,” and also to my surprise learned a lot as well. Instead of the typical craft and business vendors that one may see at any given civic festivity, the theme of eco-awareness took center stage. Included were many environmental groups, earth friendly vendors, and other eco-centric non-profits. Participants were informed on how to reduce their carbon footprint and lead a greener lifestyle.

It was an event for a real cause with an important message. We live in a wasteful society, one in which we neglect and inevitably damage our environment. The most important point of the festival, is that we all need to be aware of our actions and move swiftly to reduce our harmful effects on the environment in order to ensure a greener, more beautiful and safe future for all.

Finding Fresh

Waverly Farmer’s Market

32nd Street and Waverly

Saturdays 7AM- Noon (weather permitting)

www.32ndstreetmarket.org



I have lived in the Garden State (New Jersey) all of my life. My home state is more famous for its turnpike and in many places it’s putrid smell then its long-standing nickname. Admittedly if you look hard enough and are willing to make a day of it, you can find farms and markets that offer some great produce. When I moved to Baltimore I expected the social problems and high crime rate, but was surprised and pleased to find city life afforded many rewards. The farmer’s markets with their easy access to high quality fresh produce are particularly prized. It was not until this past weekend that I had the pleasure of experiencing the Waverly Farmer’s Market. While I have heard of the other more elaborate markets downtown, here I was able to go completely green. I brought my canvas reusable bag and walked to the market, which is a short distance from my apartment.

As I walked around the market smiling, I watched as children ran around playing while their parents bought fresh goodies for the week. There was a man sitting on the stool playing his guitar for all to enjoy. Unlike other bigger more crowded markets known for their hustle and bustle, Waverly offered a more relaxed and soothing atmosphere. Not once was I overwhelmed or trampled by the crowd, which led me to truly appreciate it’s quaintness and size.

The market had a wide variety and selection of fresh produce and other items as well. There were vendors selling hand-made jewelry, beautiful original pieces of art, flower arrangements, and aromatic organic soaps. There were plenty of food vendors offering everything from Thai, Indian, and even Ethiopian cuisine. Apparently I am not the only one who takes pleasure in fresh made bread. By the time I arrived half of the selection was gone, and there was a long line of people ready to buy what was left. I found the beautiful array of colors, from the vibrant purple eggplants to the dark rich greens of the herbs and squash stimulating. I wanted to taste it all.

Some people complain about the price of fresh produce, but it is worth every penny. Not only did I find that the prices were considerably less then the Giant Supermarket only a few blocks away, but the quality and freshness make each item much better. We need to support farmers, and by buying organic with no pesticides you do just that.

Venturing to Waverly Farmer’s Market was the perfect way to start my weekend. Where else can you go and have the perfectly ripened melon picked out for you by the person who grew it? I felt a real part of the Baltimore community.