The first time i heard about the book thing was from my mom who likes to cut out articles from the baltimore sun and send them to me. When i first heard about this place on instagram, i didnt believe that all the books are free. Crenson came across this gem during the five years he spent reading through early official records in the baltimore city archives for baltimore. Founder of the book thing in baltimore stepping down, new. There are many things that may deter someone from visiting the baltimore book thing. Baltimore, md a month after it reopened from a fire, the book thing is doing what it does best. I was stunned to open my newspaper recently and read that a devastating fire has nearly destroyed the book thing.
Its kind of like sharfkin soup, you dont see that around anymore now that everyones hip to environmental issues, says jordie miller, kitchen manager at the local oyster. The baltimore book festival, a celebration of the literary arts, features author appearances and book signings, exhibitors and bookseller tents, readings on multiple stages, childrens activities, and cooking demonstrations. The book thing was unsophisticated in appearance, but functional a space of giveandtake wattenberg estimated that the book thing gave away 400,000 to 500,000 books a year when it was active. The ravens addressed their most urgent position of need in the first round of the nfl draft thursday night, taking lsu inside linebacker patrick queen at no. The first, threeword sentence of their response will let. Former mayor of baltimore indicted in alleged childrens book. Catherine pugh, a former mayor of baltimore, was sentenced to three years in prison thursday following her conviction on federal tax evasion and conspiracy charges related to the sale of her. Hsbc donates books to the book thing of baltimore the. The book thing of baltimore lost its nonprofit status and will be temporarily shutting down after the new year, according to a statement. The book thing has been nurturing readers since 1999, when russell wattenberg, who arrived in baltimore somewhat by accident, turned his hobby of collecting books and giving them away into a fulltime thingrussells book thing, as the patrons at the former mt. The reason we put the word store in quotations is because its not really a store if you never spend a cent.
Due to our hibernation, we are not currently accepting book donations. The baltimore sun helpfully compiled a list of commonly asked questions about this scandal recently and they tackled that one head on. Christina tkacik 1 comment from the vault, the baltimore sun food. The book thing of baltimore 3001 vineyard ln, baltimore.
Nov 11, 2017 a baltimore establishment was featured on the cbs evening news in its on the road segment. Apr 02, 2019 baltimore mayor catherine pugh is taking an indefinite leave of absence. A fire early this morning caused severe damage to a warehouse housing the beloved book thing of baltimore, which has served as a vibrant free book exchange and community institution for more than 15 years. The book thing of baltimore lost its nonprofit status and will be temporarily shutting down after the new year, according to a statement posted to. You can find the book thing along vineyard lane in baltimore. A federal judge sentenced baltimore s former democratic mayor to three years in federal prison thursday following what became a nationwide scandal involving her selfpublished childrens book series. Lippman was born in atlanta, georgia, and raised in columbia, maryland. Baltimore events 2019 calendar of events in baltimore. The book thing baltimore is also known as the baltimore free book trade or sometimes just the free book guy referring to russell wattenberg, who started btb about three years ago.
Exbaltimore mayor catherine pugh sentenced for book sales. Kalani gordonbaltimore sun2014 alex rongione from left, jessica spomer and emma glinsmann watch the festivities of the abell community street fair from their front porch in baltimore city on september 22, 20. Matthew crensons new book explores baltimores political. If youre interested in donating books, you can do so using the book drop located outside of the warehouse. She is best known for writing a series of novels set in baltimore and featuring tess monaghan, a reporter turned private investigator. Feb 26, 2014 kalani gordon baltimore sun 2014 the book thing, a free book shop in abell along vineyard lane. A baltimore establishment was featured on the cbs evening news in its on the road segment. Foursquare can help you find the best places to go to. Born in atlanta, georgia on january 31, 1959, laura lippman was raised in baltimore, maryland. Vernon mainstay doughertys, where he used to tend bar, called it. The book thing is hands down the best place i have ever been to. For baltimore teachers heading back to school, the book thing. Lippmans works have won the agatha, anthony, edgar, nero, gumshoe and shamus awards. A political history johns hopkins university press, his detailed and engaging new book that takes a long view of how and why baltimores political systems workor dontthe way they do.
Democratic former baltimore mayor sentenced to three years in. It was created and is operated by russel wattenberg, a former bartender who was inspired to create a system for distributing books to impoverished students. Sep 01, 2019 the book thing draws teachers from across the state. Lippman has become entrenched in the baltimore arts scene. Book your room and see the baltimore you are missing. Please note that this is not an exact transcript of the video. One thing i keep asking over and over is if all of this obvious grifting could possibly be legal. After fire, locals donate thousands of books to charity in maryland. Its not exactly a store since all the books are free so i guess the name the book thing is appropriate. Check out the book thing in baltimore, where you can get as many free books as you want yearround. Special collections holds a substantial run of the print holdings of the baltimore sun 18371968 and the evening sun 1910june 1969. Christina tkacikbaltimore sun a recipe for terrapin stew in a book of maryland cooking.
To put unwanted books into the hands of those who want them. Baltimore just before a wave of violence turned baltimore into the nations deadliest big city, a curious thing happened to its police force. A customer looks over offerings at the book thing, which has a new acting director. Nov 20, 2019 catherine pugh, ex baltimore mayor, indicted in alleged childrens book scheme federal prosecutors say former baltimore mayor catherine pugh used her series of selfpublished healthy holly. The book thing of baltimore 3001 vineyard ln, baltimore, md. Catherine pugh, exbaltimore mayor, indicted in alleged. The book thing featured on cbs evening news baltimore, md patch.
This place is actually a warehouse that was converted into a massive book store. Started by a couple of teachers and a bibliophile bartender, the book thing survives on donations of money, time and books. Lippman is a former reporter for the now defunct san antonio light and the baltimore sun. The book thing featured on cbs evening news baltimore.
Tucked away on tiny vineyard lane between greenmount and abell avenues, the book. The book thing of baltimore the philadelphia sunday sun. Democratic former baltimore mayor sentenced to three years. The book thing of baltimore is a delightful and anomalous building near johns hopkins campus that function as a free book shop where customers are prohibited from paying a single cent for anything. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the book thing of baltimore or blue water baltimore. The book thing of baltimore is a delightful and anomalous building near johns hopkins campus that function as a free book shop where customers are prohibited from paying a. For baltimore teachers heading back to school, the book thing is a. The mayor cites health reasons, but it also comes as questions swirl around her about a.
The book thing of baltimore lost its nonprofit status and will be temporarily shutting down after the new year, according to a statement posted to its website. Apr 08, 2019 one thing i keep asking over and over is if all of this obvious grifting could possibly be legal. Jul 29, 2014 the first time i heard about the book thing was from my mom who likes to cut out articles from the baltimore sun and send them to me. Its unethical to be sure, but were any laws broken. Russell calls this the book thing, because its not a library, and its definitely not a store. Russell wattenberg at the book things temporary home near waverly. The book thing 3001 vineyard ln baltimore, md book stores. Foursquare uses cookies to provide you with an optimal experience, to personalize ads that you may see, and to help advertisers measure the results of their ad campaigns. Dec 23, 2019 the book thing of baltimore lost its nonprofit status and will be temporarily shutting down after the new year, according to a statement posted to its website. Baltimore mayor catherine pugh is taking an indefinite leave of absence. Exbaltimore mayor sentenced to 3 years in book sales. Jan 14, 2020 the book thing is a 7000 square foot building, actually bigger than a lot of book stores, that has thousands of books and they are all free. The book thing draws teachers from across the state.
Published in baltimore sun from july 3 to july 8, 2018. Kalani gordon baltimore sun 2014 alex rongione from left, jessica spomer and emma glinsmann watch the festivities of the abell community street fair from their front porch in baltimore city on september 22, 20. Bunny here with a couple quick updates about the goingson at the book thing. The book thing of baltimore is a 501c nonprofit charity, located in baltimore, maryland. The book thing of baltimore bookstore baltimore, maryland. Any books or boxes left in the parking lot will result in a.
The book thing is a 7000 square foot building, actually bigger than a lot of book stores, that has thousands of books and they are all free. Librarything local covers bookstores and libraries, and book events of all kinds. Its not exactly a store since all the books are free so i. Umms contradicts baltimore mayors story about origins of. All the books you take have to be stamped, not for resale. In hindsight, this arrangement with the university of maryland medical system was a regrettable mistake, she said during a press. Jun 16, 2016 dont expect this oldschool delicacy to make a comeback anytime soon. Today, the society donated hundreds of remaining books from its used book sale to a good cause the book thing of baltimore, inc the book thing of baltimore gives away books, free of charge, to anyone desiring them teachers, schools and the general public. Jun 05, 2017 the book thing of baltimore, baltimore, maryland. Catherine pugh, a former mayor of baltimore, was sentenced to three years in prison thursday following her conviction on federal tax evasion and conspiracy charges related to the sale of. Book thing founder russell wattenberg, who was one of osibaltimores first community fellows in 2000, made some comments through an intermediary. The book thing of baltimore is a 501c nonprofit charity, located in baltimore, maryland, united states, created in september 1999 for the purpose of giving away books. The maryland book bank distributes free books to children, teachers, schools and organizations.
Cindy testerman obituary baltimore, md baltimore sun. The book thing of baltimore 2020 all you need to know before. Baltimores book thing loses taxexempt status, will. Jesse neider patuxent publishing the book thing of baltimore is turning a new page. Classic literature may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of baltimore, but the city has a surprisingly rich literary history thats the stuff of great stories edgar. The book thing of baltimore empty warehouse facebook. The book thing of baltimore 2020 all you need to know. In a video submitted to the court and provided to the baltimore sun, pugh said she messed up, that she accepts responsibility, and im sorry. For baltimore teachers heading back to school, the book. Find the latest baltimore events in the baltimore events calendar from visit baltimore, the official travel website for baltimore, md. There was a lot of mold in the last batch, so we give an extra special thanks to them for dealing with that. We planned our arrival in baltimore, md, around visiting this book store as it is only open on the weekends. Russell wattenberg, founder of the book thing of baltimore, has stepped down as director.
Baltimore mayor catherine pugh takes indefinite leave of. Baltimore mayor takes indefinite leave of absence amid. Baltimores book thing loses taxexempt status, will temporarily shut down the sun bpd, city leaders look for solutions to violent weekend in. Catherine pugh, exbaltimore mayor, indicted in alleged childrens book scheme federal prosecutors say former baltimore mayor catherine pugh used her series of.
The mayor cites health reasons, but it also comes as questions swirl around her about a childrens book scandal. Washington post book critic carlos lozada reads healthy holly, the book series that has landed baltimore mayor catherine e. Our after hours donation bin will be closedunavailable. They spread the word among themselves about this seemingly magical source of books in baltimore. As soon as i read about the book thing in baltimore, maryland, i knew i had to go. Share your condolences, send flowers, find funeral home information.
Patricia schultheis editorialized in the sun a week after the fire. In baltimore, lippman began her career as a reporter working for the baltimore sun and the san antonio light, a paper that has since closed. Chasanow for mercy and apologized in court to anyone i have offended or. Kalani gordonbaltimore sun2014 the book thing, a free book shop in abell along vineyard lane. Exbaltimore mayor sentenced to 3 years in book sales scheme. A federal judge sentenced baltimores former democratic mayor to three years in federal prison thursday following what became a nationwide scandal involving her selfpublished childrens book series. Our mission is to put unwanted books into the hands of those who want them. After fire, locals donate thousands of books to charity in. A heavy pour of sherry or madeira would help cut the weird taste, says sun columnist jacques kelly, who tasted the. Free books, no strings, no catch, just a mutual love of reading and making sure its available to everyone. Help restore the book thing of baltimore open society. For one thing, terrapin fishing is illegal in the state of maryland.