Latest news with #Ekiben
CBS News
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Expect heavy traffic around Baltimore during Artscape, Memorial Day weekend
It's expected to be a busy weekend in Baltimore as Artscape returns for the Memorial Day weekend. AAA estimates more than 873,000 Marylanders will drive 50 miles or more this weekend. While that is an increase from last year, it is still lower than pre-pandemic levels. Increased police presence during Memorial Day weekend MDTA said Memorial Day marks the start of the peak travel season on the roads. More than 340,000 vehicles will cross the Bay Bridge between Friday, May 23, and Monday, May 26, Memorial Day. Motorists should stay on US 50 on both sides of the bridge to keep local roadways open for first responders and residents. "You're going to see an increased law enforcement presence here and across the state," said Lt. Tim Howell with MDTA Police. Lt. Howell said travelers should drive responsibly and pay attention to lane signals. "If you see a red 'X,' that means the lane is closed," he said. MDTA said expect travel delays in both directions – often simultaneously – at the bridge and along the US 50 corridor throughout the entire holiday travel period when traveling during peak hours. This is a result of traffic volume exceeding lane capacity, not two-way operation timing or management. Artscape downtown for first time In Baltimore, business owners and food vendors are excited for another year of Artscape. "I think a change was like due," said Ekiben Co-Founder Ephrem Abebe. This year, Artscape will be held downtown, shifting from its previous locations throughout Mount Vernon, Station North, and Bolton Hill. The two-day festival features more than 100 artists. Food vendors, The Empanada Lady and Ekiben, are working on their final preparations ahead of the Saturday kick off. "We've been preparing for Artscape for like three months," said Elisa Milan, the owner of The Empanada Lady. "We're prepping a lot of chicken," said Abebe. Milan said she's expanding her operations for the festival, serving customers at her brick and mortar downtown and at the festival just a walk away. "I'm running three operations," she said. "I've never done this before." Milan is taking advantage of the Artscape's new location being downtown. "Because we're so close, we're going to be intentionally trying to drive people down to the restaurant," she said. Due to it being a holiday weekend, Abebe expects a larger crowd at Artscape. "Typically, Artscape Sundays are a little bit slower," Abebe said. "With Monday being Memorial Day, we think it's going to be a pretty great turnout." Traffic impacts Baltimore City DOT said the several streets will be closed to traffic through midnight on Monday. Detours and parking restrictions are in effect: Fayette Street closed from President Street to Guilford Avenue. Gay Street closed from E. Baltimore Street to E. Saratoga Street. Holliday Street closed from E. Baltimore Street to Pleasant Street. Pleasant Street closed from Fallsway to Guilford Avenue. Pleasant Street Ramp closed at SB JFX. Lexington Street closed from Guilford Avenue to N. Frederick Street. Frederick Street closed from E. Fayette Street to E. Lexington Street. Dickey Place closed from Guilford Avenue to Holliday Street. Saratoga Street closed from Holliday Street to N. Gay Street. Saratoga Street between Holliday Street and Guilford Avenue will have a temporary two-way traffic pattern implemented for Breco Condominium residents.
Japan Today
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Temple in tiny town in Japan transforms into otherworldly beauty on special summer nights
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24 Tokoji Temple, in Gifu Prefecture, has a pretty cool backstory. The legend goes that sometime around the year 1501, a local Zen practitioner was meditating in the mountains when he heard a clap of thunder and saw a dragon rise to the heavens. Using the indisputable logic that any place where a dragon appears must be special, a Zen temple was then founded in the area, which is today part of the Gifu town of Yamagata (not to be confused with Yamagata Prefecture). Image: SoraNews24 No dragons have been spotted since then, but there are still some awesome sights to be seen at Tokoji, especially when it looks like this. Image: PR Times For a few special nights this June, Tokoji will be holding its Shinryoku, or 'New Green,' event, in which the electric lights of the temple's main hall are turned off and the illumination is instead focused on the surrounding foliage, resplendent in the vibrant green colors it just acquired in the spring. With the soft glow of lanterns giving shadowy form to the architecture and providing extra contrast with the greenery, it looks like you've stepped into another world, and Tokoji's staff knows you'll want to take pictures while you're there. During the Shinryoku event, staff will be on hand to take photos of you using your camera or smartphone, though shots of the scenery by itself is also an option, as are still-life photos of the optional refreshments, matcha green tea parfaits and chirashizushi vinegared rice made with locally sourced ingredients. In order to provide the sort of tranquil atmosphere appropriate for such beautiful scenery, reservations are required and can be made online here. There is a reservation fee of 1,000 yen per person, and the parfait and chirashizushi, should you choose to partake, are priced at 750 and 1,500 yen, respectively. The proceeds go to a good cause, though, as they'll be used to help maintain the temple, something that's becoming difficult for rural communities with shrinking populations to do. The Shinryaku event is scheduled for June 6 to 8, from 7:50 to to 10:30 nightly. Temple information Tokoji / 東光寺 Address: Gifu-ken, Yamagata-shi, Kogura 618-41 岐阜県山県市小倉６１８−４１ Website Source: PR Times, Tokoji Images: PR Times Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Japan's submerged forest gets even more beautiful with Lake Shirakawa spring light-up event【Pics】 -- Here are five incredible places to add to your itinerary on a visit to Shimane's Izumo City -- Ekiben vending machine adds new excitement to bullet train travel in Japan External Link © SoraNews24
Axios
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Hot new D.C. pop-ups to get through winter
A frigid week calls for spicing things up — and we've got some fun food pop-ups you won't want to miss. First up: Baltimore's smash hit Ekiben is popping up at Providencia on H Street, Wednesday only, starting at 5pm. Chef Steve Chu says he's "descending on the District like a deep-fried angel" and is teaming up with pastry whiz Paola Velez and host Erik Bruner-Yang. Expect noodles and crowds — the team is fire and the bar is cozy (reservations recommended). This Sunday, Lucky Buns chef Alex McCoy and co-chef Justin Ahn bring back their long-running Thai pop-up, Alfies, to the Adams Morgan bar for one night. Khao gaeng ("curry rice") is the show's star, with five styles of curries featuring local ingredients and homemade pastes over rice ($65), plus a la carte grilled skewers and boozy bevs. Email [email protected] for limited reservations. Look for monthly Thai pop-ups from the duo before they open a brick-and-mortar Alfies in Georgetown this summer. It's all about mashups next week. Monday calls for a Japanese-style cheesesteak at Kat's King of Suteki ongoing pop-up in Chinatown starting at 5pm. Or! "Thaitalian" dishes like red curry bolognese or shrimp tortellini in tom yum brodo from Yai & Nonna. The pop-up, which blends the best from Southeast Asia and Italy, happens every Monday and Tuesday at Shaw's Baan Mae through February, offering a la carte and tasting menus (reservations recommended).
