Crownsville Businesses | Around Crownsville stories by Elaine Nagey

Music “Springs” at Lures Bar and Grille

Lure’s Posts an Ambitious Schedule of Performers

Our friends at Lures Bar and Grille have lined up a wonderful spring full of great music. Starting on Thursday, April 2, the ten performers lined up until May 6. All performance times are a generous four hours: 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.

4/2 Dan Fisk
4/3 Dave Tieff
4/9 Eddie Pasa
4/10 Tommy Gann
4/16 Mike Leverone
4/17 Mitch Morrill
4/23 Larry Thomas
4/24 Hall Vote
4/30 Stanley Whitaker
5/6 Dave Tieff

Of course, Beer Club continues. TheApril 20^th Beer Club from 6:00 p.m – 8:00 p.m. will Stoudt’s Brewery. Stoudt’s is one of the first micro-breweries in Pennsylvania Dutch country known for their over a dozen awad winning beers.

Shop Crownsville– Great Gifts, Great Prices, and Easy!

The Purple Poppy

I’ve been to the Mall. I’ve been downtown, but some of the best gifts around are right here in Crownsville. Claudia Gemmer has beautiful jewelry, bath and body products and more at the Purple Poppy. I found the perfect gifts for several people– and no one else will be sending them the same thing. Her jewelry items are unique.

Crownsville Gardens

It may be too late to get a Christmas tree at Crownsville Gardens, but they have some beautiful gift items and gorgeous cyclamens to offer a holiday change from poinsettias. They still have some of their pottery left, too, and it’s on sale. They have gift certificates, too, to get someone an early start in the spring.

Other Opportunities

If gift certificates would be better for your gift giving, try Lures and give a good time in an envelope. Crownsville Car Wash down Crownsville Road near MD 450 has booklets of carwash coupons for sale at their cash register — now there’s a welcome stocking stuffer to get all the salt and crud off the car.

Crownsville Charities

If you’re looking to give but not necessarily a gift don’t forget Crownsville’s many non-profits. Chrysalis House is always looking for items appropriate for mothers with toddlers especially as the residents get ready to leave and start a household on their own. The Anne Arundel County Food Bank accepts donations of food: any non-perishable in family size (not super-sized) will help. They also accept single serving sizes suitable or distributing to the homeless. Check their website for hours of operation and directions.

Enjoy the spirit of the holidays right here in Crownsville

Crownsville’s Lures Bar and Grille has it all for your holiday fun

Catering, Live Entertainment, Great Beers on tap, Your Party in the Restaurant — What more can your want

The gang at Lures has got their act together to make your holiday season fun. Patty Reese will bring her acoustic guitar and vocals to Lures this Saturday, December 12 from 8:30-12:30. On Tuesday, December 15 it’s a bottomless glass for just $15. Of course, as always, customers will have a choice of eleven great brews.

This is the time of year for parties, and Lures will help you have yours your way. You can book your party and bring your friends to Lures now. If you’re more of a home body or need a little office cheer, they’ll take care of you with their catering services.

Gift Cards — What more could you want!

Finally, why not go shopping while you enjoy a great dinner or at home right after you read this. They’ve got reloadable gift cards. Start someone’s winter off right with a $10, $25, $50, $75, or $100 card.

Stop in, say “Hello” and have some fun!

Give a Gift from Crownsville’s Cobblestone Coffee–Once a Month

With holiday giving barreling down on us, why not go local with a unique giving opportunity. You don’t have to leave the comfort of your own home to give a great gift from right here in Crownsville. Sign your coffee-loving friends up for Cobblestone Coffee’s Coffee of the Month Club. Continue reading Give a Gift from Crownsville’s Cobblestone Coffee–Once a Month

Crownsville Welcomes the Idol — Arundel Style!

Move over Kelly Clarkson. Simon Cowell — no seat at the judges’ table for you. Get ready for the third annual Arundel Idol contest at the Anne Arundel County Fair. From just an idea in 2007 to replace the talent show, Arundel Idol is a Fair hit.

That first year, thirty-six contestants between the ages of 16 and 79 registered; great singers all. Three judges selected ten finalist. In the end, Sheree Jennings of Bentonsville, VA, took home the grand prize.

Sheree returned as a judge in 2008 when forty-five singers registered, but only twelve were chosen. Charlita Thompson of Annapolis walked off with the grand prize followed by Brittany Bionda of Annapolis. Charlita, now a pre-med student at AACC, returns this year as an entertainer.

Don’t let you idol dreams be idle. If you are an individual vocalist age sixteen or older, get your application in by September 7 for the 2009 Arundel Idol Contest. Be ready to sing for the semi-finals on Thursday, September 17 at 7:00 .m. with the finals on Sunday, September 20 at 6:30. Contestants will take to the Upper Stage at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds.

The entry fee is only $10. Former contestants, but not previous winners, may reapply, but no professionals allowed. Not a resident of Anne Arundel county, no problem, no county restrictions. Grand prize is $500. The second prize winner gets $200.

Mail your applications to

Anne Arundel County Fair; c/o Arundel Idol #3 Contest; 1450 Generals Highway; P.O. Box 372; Crownsville, MD 21032

or fax to 410-923-6305. Questions? Call the Fair OFfice at 410-923-3400 or send an email to info@aacountyfair.org.

If you can’t sing, be sure to go to the Fair to watch and listen!

Homemade Marguerita Tortilla Chips

I had just made some homemade hummus and had nothing to dip into it-whole wheat bread just doesn’t cut it. What I did have were some cheap corn tortillas; the kind that come about 100 to a stack in a plastic bag not the fancy 10 to a pack things. The corn is very fine in these almost giving them the look of flour tortillas.

So… I mixed olive oil and lime juice, 2 parts olive oil to 1 part lime juice. I whisked it to emulsify it a bit. I put a layer of the tortillas on an olive oiled cookie sheet and brushed each tortilla with the olive oil/lime mix using a pastry brush. I sprinkled fine sea salt on the tortillas. Finally, using a pizza cutter, I cut each tortilla into sixths.

I placed the cookie sheets in the middle of a 400F preheated convection oven
I set the timer for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, I rotated the pan and set the timer for another two minutes. Next I switched the trays on the oven shelves. I gave them another minute. Some were a little too brown, but not burned. Others were perfect. A few still had a soft-ish center.

They were all delicious. They were great for dipping in the hummus and good for some guacamole with pico de gallo I found in the fridge.

Next time, I think I’ll increase the lime juice otherwise they were perfect.

Crownsville’s Crown Hair for your Crown

My friend Neville Gardner is a real inspiration. She’s full of energy. She runs. She’s done a marathon. She plays tennis. She rides her bike. We work together, and she always pulls her “look” together. Her hair has always looked great. This last year, though, it’s looked even better than usual, and with good reason. Continue reading Crownsville’s Crown Hair for your Crown

Creme Brulee French Toast

For your summer time Crownsville brunch.

This recipe takes traditional French toast to a tasty new level. If you’re not having a brunch, have this dish for breakfast because the great thing about breakfast is that you can have dessert and call it a meal.

Serve with fresh fruit, bacon or sausage. Not bad with Mimosas or Bloody Marys either!

Ingredients

1 stick (1/2 c.) butter
1 c. packed dark brown sugar
2 Tbsp light corn syrup
6 slices of Texas toast bread (slices are 1″ thick)
5 large eggs*
1-1/2 c half and half*
1 tsp vanilla (French vanilla, if possible)
1 tsp. orange or citrus flavored liqueur
¼ tsp salt

Place butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a heavy saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Stir until the ingredients melt into a syrup. Pour syrup into a 9 x 13 x2 inch glass baking dish. Trim the crusts from the bread. Place the six slices of bread on top of the syrup – squeeze them together if necessary to fit.

The Custard
Whisk the eggs in a bowl. Add the half and half and vanilla and whisk until completely blended. Add liqueur. Mix and pour over bread. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 8 hours or overnight.

Before baking bring the mixture to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 350F.

Bake uncovered in the middle of the oven for about 35-40 minutes. The bread will puff and the edges will be golden.

Serve immediately. Cut in wedges and be sure each serving gets some of the caramelly goodness. Gild the lily by serving it with maple syrup.

*If you think you might like a little more custard, add an extra egg and an extra 2.4 ounces of half and half – that’s 1/8 c. plus 1 tsp .

Del. King Speaks at GHCCA Meeting

The May meeting of the Generals Highway Council of Community Associations met on Tuesday, May 12 with a pleasant change of venue. Every corner of Historic Baldwin Hall was filled with a variety of community activities. The GHCCA’s usual basement meeting room was no exception so we were able to meet in the historic reconstructed schoolhouse behind Baldwin Hall – a delightful place for our meetings.

Among the items on the evening’s agenda was a report on zoning and development. The Fisher property in Crownsville has requested a zoning change; however, the information on the request has not been publicly available. Dutton Farm, next to Carriage Hills has posted a sign advertising hot tubs and spas creating a zoning question.

The main agenda item for the evening was guest speaker, Delegate James King from district 33A. Del. King has represented the district since January 2007. His presentation for the evening recapped the most recent legislative session. Continue reading Del. King Speaks at GHCCA Meeting

Shop Crownsville for Mother’s Day, Win for Mom, and Benefit the AA County Food Bank

Crownsville may just be the best kept shopping secret around. NOT ANYMORE!!! I’m here to let the cat out of the bag. We’ve got some of the nicest people selling some of the coolest stuff and delivering the most trustworthy services found anywhere. And there’s no better time to go on your Crownsville shopping spree than for Mother’s Day. They’ve got great stuff and many are having specials. Plus they’ve done something extra special (see photos) for just $1.00 — read all the way to the end!