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With spring nearing, Blossoms of Hope forges ahead to support beautification projects in Howard County

After having to cancel the majority of its events in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic — including its Pretty in Pink Ladies Champagne Luncheon and Fashion Show and the popular Power of the Purse — Blossoms of Hope’s board of directors had to find new ways to raise funds for the many organizations and beautification projects the nonprofit supports in Howard County. “We are blessed to have an incredible bunch of people on the board,” according to Flora Betro, a Blossoms of Hope board member. “It is just phenomenal.”

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Bank of America’s Sabina Kelly stepping down as Maryland market president

A major change is coming to the local leadership team of the biggest bank in Maryland. Sabina Kelly, Bank of America’s market president for Greater Maryland since 2016, will retire at the end of March after a 41-year banking career. Kelly will be succeeded by Janet Currie, who will become the first Black woman to lead the Charlotte, North Carolina-based bank’s operations in Maryland.

Chase offers $5,000 homeownership grants in 180 minority neighborhoods in Baltimore

The Chase Home Lending of JPMorgan Chase is offering $5,000 grants to home buyers in 180 Baltimore-area neighborhoods identified as majority Black. The grants can go toward closing costs and down payments to buy homes in communities with low rates of homeownership and wealth creation, Chase said. Chase said it’s aiming to help close the racial wealth gap by offering grants in 6,700 communities nationally that the U.S. Census has identified as majority Black.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Crop black businesswoman reading newspaper near modern building
New suitor may enter fray for Tribune Publishing

A deal that would reshape the American newspaper industry has run into complications just one month after an agreement was reached, according to three people with knowledge of the matter. As a result, New York hedge fund Alden Global Capital may have to fend off a new suitor for Tribune Publishing, the chain that owns major metropolitan dailies across the country, including The Chicago Tribune, The Daily News in New York and The Baltimore Sun, the people said.

Read More: New York Times
Crayons beside child coloring
Child Care Workers Say Lack of State Effort Leaves Them To ‘Scramble’ for Vaccines

After weeks of trying and failing to get a COVID-19 vaccination appointment, child care worker Christy Braddock said she now has peace of mind since she’s gotten her first of two shots. “It doesn’t change anything. But it changes everything,” said Braddock, who has taken care of infants in a Silver Spring child care center since last May. The vaccination she received was one set aside by the local health department at the direction of the state. Her employer received an unexpected email from the county inviting the center’s staff to a vaccination clinic on Daniel Avenue in Silver Spring.

Baltimore health tech firm Aidar Health plans funding round, hiring surge after winning FDA clearance

The entrepreneurs behind Baltimore’s Aidar Health have spent nearly a decade working to make their concept for an easy-to-use, at-home health tracking device a reality. Now, they’ve finally gained validation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The health technology company has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA for its first product, called the MouthLab. That status indicates the device has been deemed safe and effective and clears the way for it to be brought to market. CEO Sathya Elumalai said now that MouthLab has gained market access in the U.S. and internationally, Aidar is ready to scale.

Harbor East movie theater will cut capacity, rebrand and reopen under new management

The shuttered Landmark Theatres in Harbor East will rebrand and reopen with new features inspired by the Covid-19 pandemic. The seven-screen, 26,000-square-foot theater space will be renamed Harbor East Cinemas, the movie theater’s landlord, Harbor East Management Group, announced on Monday. Flagship Premium Cinemas, a Boston-based company with five theaters in Maryland, will be the cinema’s new operator.

The Charmery sets opening date for its newest ice cream shop in Columbia

Howard Countians can take advantage of this week’s warm spell with an ice cream cone from The Charmery. The Baltimore-based scoop shop has announced plans to open its newest location, in Columbia’s Merriweather District, on Friday evening. The 1,390-square-foot space on the ground floor of the Juniper Apartments complex will be the fifth location for the local chain, which got its start in Baltimore’s Hampden neighborhood.

Under Armour has ended endorsement deal with ballet dancer Misty Copeland

Even before Under Armour announced plans last year to cut marketing costs and renegotiate athlete endorsement deals, the Baltimore brand and ballet dancer Misty Copeland had parted ways. The sports apparel maker said Monday that the partnership with Copeland, a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, ended in 2019. “We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished together during our partnership, and incredibly grateful to Misty for helping us evolve beyond traditional sports and into new arenas,” the company said in a statement.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Maryland casino revenue continued to slide in February

Maryland casino revenues took another tumble in February, with all six of the state’s casinos reporting drops compared with the year before. In all, the industry pulled in $126.2 million last month, a 16.6% year-over-year decrease, according to the latest numbers released Friday by Maryland Lottery and Gaming. Once again, Baltimore’s Horseshoe Casino saw the biggest dip. Horseshoe’s February revenue, $14.3 million, was down 20% compared with a year ago. The casino has reported year-over-year declines each month since reopening last June.

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