If poetry doesn't speak to you on the page, try the works of Narrow House Recordings, a Baltimore-based record label that has produced recordings of poets from Baltimore, Washington, D.C., and New York. The label, founded by writer and graphic designer Justin Sirois in 2003, works to promote contemporary poems and progressive writing in their aural form. The most recent addition to Narrow House's catalog is Fear the Sky, a CD of the dryly funny political poetry of D.C. poet and publisher Rod Smith. (The first track of the album opens with the line, "Sorry, officer, I thought you were a shape-shifting rat.") Visitors to the website can view the catalog and make purchases, listen to sample audio tracks, and check out a listing of local readings and events.
www.narrowhouserecordings.com.


Books...

Breathe Books on West 36th Street now has a little more room to breathe: The second floor of the shop, called "second wind," will open in September for readings, workshops, meditation classes, and other special events. Baltimore native Susan Weis opened the store in October 2004 to offer books, music, and gifts designed to calm and rejuvenate. Since then Weis has been holding special events in a small building behind the shop called "breathing space." Weis makes the spaces available to private groups. With the extended square footage comes extended hours: On August 19 the shop will stay open until 9 p.m. for Hampden's monthly "Shop Late, Bring a Date." 810 West 36th Street; 410-235-READ (7323); www.breathebooks.com.


Irish Pub…

Another page in the story of the development of the West Side is the grand opening of Maggie Moore's, an authentic Irish watering hole and restaurant run by authentic Irishman John Moore. The pub, named for Moore's wife, is located across from the Hippodrome in the three-story building that once housed the Eutaw Savings Bank and the Baltimore Equitable Society. Moore incorporated original bank fixtures, like the teller counters that now serve as bars, into his design. Private parties can reserve space in either the original bank vaults, now lined with comfortable seats, or the former manager's office at the back of the building, which boasts a working fireplace and an original chandelier.

Twelve draft beers are on tap, and the restaurant, open for lunch and dinner, offers standard Irish pub fare like fish and chips, plus some special extras: fried green tomatoes stuffed with crab meat and seasoned with red pepper aioli, and seared rockfish with Irish cheddar grits and corn relish. 21 North Eutaw Street; 410-837-2100;
www.maggiemoores.com.


Park…

For the first time, Mount Vernon's most youthful residents will have a green place to play. The former rundown park at the corner of Calvert and Madison Streets will officially open in September as the newly renovated Mount Vernon Children's Park. The space will include a large sandbox, hedge maze, area for plays and puppet shows, and a water park. The stainless steel and wrought iron used to build fences and playground equipment will blend the park into its urban surroundings. Mount Vernon Children's Park Committee Co-Chair Susan Warren says the park will be a unique space for families and local children, many of whom don't have backyards in which to play. Donors ranging from the Abell Foundation to nearby Club Hippo have supported the park's construction. Until the park opens (and afterward), visit its website to make direct donations; you can also buy a brick, inscribed with your child's or family's name, to be placed in a memorial plaza. www.mountvernonchildrenspark.org.


T-shirts…
 
Baltimore has always looked kindly on entrepreneurs-its affordable workspaces and close-knit communities have helped more than one startup to keep going. The story of T-shirt company Squidfire is no exception. When MICA grad Kevin Sherry and entrepreneur Jean-Baptiste Regnard decided to start Squidfire in 2004, they were armed only with enthusiasm and enough money to rent a large Greektown warehouse. Now, three months after its official launch, Squidfire is carried in eleven stores from Richmond to Philadelphia, including Baltimore's Trixies Palace and Shine Collective. The T-shirts and tote bags feature whimsical, hand-drawn images of owls, squid tentacles, stag heads, and other assorted animals and objects. Purchases can be made online at the company's website. Customers can also design their own shirts, which will then be produced by Sherry and Regnard's other arm, the Baltimore Clothing Company. 410-327-3300; www.squidfire.com;
www.baltimoreclothingcompany.com.


Bags...
 
Fiorito Designs, a new Canton company run by mother-daughter team Angela Riemer and Jean Fiorito, makes custom bags of all kinds, from diaper bags and totes to clutches and evening bags. Customers can purchase already-made bags or sit down with Riemer or Fiorito to design their own, choosing fabric, size, and style. Prices range from $55 to $120. The shop also offers purse parties in the store or at private homes in the Canton area, where customers can look over samples of bags and fabrics, play games, and win a $35 gift certificate as a door prize. The company rolls out new designs on a regular basis, so look for laptop cases and messenger bags soon. Don't worry, guys-a "man bag" design is in the works, too. 2500 Fait Avenue; 410-522-0090.