lights, cocktails....action!

This past week I discovered a lovely evening activity that is free, fun, close by, and thoroughly all-American. Let me build the suspense for you: Wednesday evening, N and I had a totally delicious, if not really late, dinner* after the Safe Streets rally, that left us thoroughly sated but not ready for bed. But what to do at 10 o'clock on a Wednesday night? Catch some ball games in the Park!

We mixed up a cocktail, headed across the street to the fields, and found a grassy vantage point to watch the BSSC games that were going on under the lights. The next night after our game ended we found ourselves doing it again.

And we weren't the only ones. Looking around the hill and benches, I saw people of all ages and races. Some had chairs and drinks, others were just pausing for a spell amid their dog walking. Everyone was just taking advantage of a beautiful summer evening by taking in America's favorite pass-time at their neighborhood Park. Pretty neat if you ask me.

Next time you find yourself pondering yet another evening of watching tv, consider walking over to Patterson Park to catch a few innings of softball instead. Because remember, a used park is a safe park.

love k

*The aforementioned dinner was both delicious AND easy. I bought insanely cheap flank steak the other day and had no clue what to do with it - it was just so cheap I HAD to get it. So I had this idea.... I sauteed some of my CSA chard and collards with CSA shallots with garlic and pinenuts. Then I crumbled some fig goat cheese (did you even know they MADE that?!) and rolled it all up in the thin steak after tenderizing it. Tied it up with some twine, popped it on the grill, then thinly sliced it. N made some cheesy CSA squash dish, which was truly miraculous. OH MY LORD! Go make this right now!

It looked a little something like this... I neglected to take a photo of my masterpiece, though...

they came, we swung, we conquered

Oh, what a day! Despite torrential rains, sodden fields, and threats of lightning, we went ahead with our scheduled softball game against Highlandtown on Saturday and actually ended up with some sunshine at the last minute! With a 2 o'clock game-time, I hosted a pre-game Bloody Mary party to get the team fired up and ready to play. With bagels (Thanks Marisa!), cheesey croissants, fruit salad and beverages flowing, we distributed shirts (look how great they turned out - thanks Matt!), and played some tunes.

Puppy wanted to play, but as you can see his shirt didn't quite fit - he cheered from the sidelines instead.

A pre-game toast and rally in my living room!

When game-time came around we ventured across puddles, sinkholes and mud pits to get warmed up and size up our competition. And competition it was! Highlandtown definitely brought their a-game on Saturday, keeping us all on our toes (muddy toes though they were).

Our fans seemed to have a good time, too!

We even had our friends from Three... come check us out and cheer us on:

With plenty of cheering from the sidelines, we battled it out inning after inning, with coach Joe keeping the score, and Jen keeping the style:

With Councilman Jim Kraft (also a Patterson Park resident) as our umpire, the double-header delivered a loss to Patterson Park in game one, and a win in game two. A couple disputed calls were resolved with a pre-determined method: a chug-off at homeplate.

With an overall tie, the final win went to Patterson Park after a close chug-spin-run relay:


We ended the day with both teams patronizing each other's neighborhood bar, with everyone heading first to Three...Restaurant and then The Laughing Pint. While we may have claimed victory this time, I hope we organize a follow up game soon, because really the whole game was a win for everyone - good times outside with old and new friends and neighbors. Thanks, Highlandtown, for a great game and a fun day!

love k

hitting 'em outta the park

What are you doing this Saturday? Because I'll tell you where I'll be, and where you should be, too: The Patterson Park vs. Highlandtown Softball Face-Off Double-Header!

That's right - we're taking on our neighboring neighborhood in a fun (but legitimately competitive - our street cred’ is on the line here, people!) softball showdown on Saturday.

The rules have been set, the team shirts ordered, and neighborhood spirit building. So come on out and show your Patterson Park pride - wear green and yellow, bring the kids, bring the dog, just make sure you're there. And if it's raining? Oh, we're playing on - a little mud can't make the Patterson Parkers forfeit! To quote Joe, our team captain: "Dude, we're playing softball even if it hails on us, even if there is a snowstorm and a tornado, we're playing softball." THAT'S the spirit I'm looking for.

After the game we'll either celebrate our domination or nurse our wounded egos at Three... Restaurant, so if you miss the game or get scared by the rain make sure to come out for the post-game party.

Details:
When: Saturday, June 20th at noon
Where: Patterson Park, on the field closest to the Linwood Ave/Baltimore St entrance
What to bring: Cheers, sneers, beverages and some peanuts.

love k