By Cymone Gosnell

Baltimore City has finally surpassed its 2011 homicide count of 197 murders, but Donald Giblin, chief of the Baltimore state’s attorney’s homicide division is still hopeful about the direction the city is taking.

On Nov. 24, a young man was shot several times outside of Club Paradise, a local bar, located on the corner of Laurens and North Careys Streets in West Baltimore. He was taken to the Maryland Shock Trauma Center where he was pronounced dead shortly after. This murder brought the homicide total for Baltimore City to 200.

Baltimore, according to US News is the eighth most dangerous city in the United States, so it comes as no surprise that the murder rate is high as it is. There were 20 murders alone in November and 26 in September. The year 2011 was the only year since the 1970s that there have been fewer than 200 murders in the city. Now, according to Giblin, the city could see as many as 220 murders by the end of the year.

Giblin says that people cannot focus on murders from year to year. “One year,” he states, “should not define the city.” He adds that there are never any specific reasons that the murder rate varies from year to year, but drug trade and gangs often have much to do with the violence seen in the city. He says that he is hopeful that a combination of better economic situations, a stronger police presence and more social programs will lead to a reduction the number of homicides seen per year.

Despite the increase of killings, over the years the city has seen a steady decrease in the number of murders. “We’ll never see 300 murders again,” says Giblin as he reflects on previous years, like 1999 when the city saw 305 murders. He attributes this progress to the programs enforced by the police. Including Citiwatch, or “blue-light” cameras, which have lead to more than 740arrests in 2012 alone.

As can be seen by the Baltimore Police's Twitter feed, there has been an attack on handguns. Giblin said that police have also been targeting VRO’s or Violent Repeat Offenders. The police, according to Giblin, are putting most of their resources into keeping people who have one or more violent crimes on their records, off the streets.

This increase in the number of murders come only a couple of months after Anthony W. Batts was named the new police commissioner for Baltimore. Many are wondering if the new commissioner can handle the mess he has been handed, but Giblin says the police are doing all they can to control the murder rate.

The homicide total as of Nov. 08, is 206.

By Alayna Shamy

This year marks Hampden's 65th anniversary of its famous "Miracle on 34th Street” where residents of the street decorate the front of their houses with holiday lights and festive creations.  Bob Hoiser, who grew up in Northeast Baltimore and always had a love for decorating for Christmas, started the tradition.

Colored lights, hung on telephone poles drape over 34^th Street. Each house has its own unique themed light display. One house has a lit tree made out of car tire rims. On the opposite side of the street, a crab lit up with red lights hangs from an owner’s front porch. Another homeowner shows Maryland pride as blow up Raven football figures stand on the roof. Each house makes its own statement but they all complement each other and display the true Hampden spirit.

The lighting kickoff ceremony took place on Nov. 24. From dusk until 11 p.m. each night, the lights are on and will stay up until Jan. 1. Each night crowds of people of all different ages come to take in the holiday cheer.

Lakeesha Richardson from Baltimore, Maryland brought her 3-year-old daughter to see the lights. Richardson said she has lived in Baltimore for 34 years and this is the first time she had ever been to Hampden to see the decorations. “I think it’s a really good thing. I wish more communities could come together and do this because it’s like a safe haven,” said Richardson. “You know, everybody getting together and decorating for the holidays. It’s really nice.”

Miracle on 34^th Street has not only attracted locals but has also gained national recognition. Nightline, The Travel Channel and Home and Garden are just a few media that have all featured stories on the unique event.

Hoiser and his wife plan on always keeping this tradition alive. Residents who purchase or rent a house on the street sign a contract that states that they must decorate their houses for the event each year. On the event’s website they state, “Putting up these lights is truly a labor of love and we do not receive or accept any cash donations and BGE does NOT give us a break on our electric bills, we pay ours just like you.”

Allison Ortolano, a junior at Loyola University, from Marlboro, New Jersey, enjoyed seeing the lights. She said she loves Christmas and the decorations put her in a cheerful mood. She was in awe of the detail of the decorations, “They must put so much time into doing this. This is such a great thing,” said Ortolano.

By: Gabriella Tesauro

The smell of pine needles and overwhelming holiday spirit filled the tents of the Harbor Holiday Festival.

Over this past weekend in beautiful National Harbor a new holiday tradition was created the Harbor Holiday Festival. Not only was this event great for all but it was also for a worthy cause, the Spirit of Hope Foundation.

The crowds of people were endless, shuttles bussing families from all over the area. Many of the attendees planned ahead and purchased their tickets prior to arrival but for those who did not tickets were available at the door. Children were allowed admission free of charge; adults were $12 at the door or $10 in advance. Should one opt to want to enter Santa’s Cellar there was a $13 charge. The first 200 guests each day received a free reusable shopping bag.Due to the popularity of this event many deals were provided in advance. Living social had a weekend pass for four for only $15.

Santa’s Cellar was a special area in which those who entered could sample beers, wines, and spirits. Santa’s Cellar also offered special holiday prices if you choose to buy any of the beers, wines, or spirits.

For those who opted out of Santa’s Cellar there was over 150 specialty boutique’s to choose from. Any of your holiday purchases could be made here. Some of the booths included furniture, jewelry, clothing, wreaths and garlands, toys, and gourmet foods.

The décor of the festival was inspirational for everyone to go home and decorate!

The kid’s craft area was jam packed with activities and crafts that children of all ages could enjoy. Not only was there a craft area but also there was the holiday entertainment stage. In this area one could experience puppet shows, holiday fashion, or sing along with the delightful voices of singers. Each day there was various scheduled performances.

Along with all the entertainment and crafts, Santa also arrived each day at 1 p.m. for those to meet and have their picture taken with him.Other than the assigned entertainment and vendors the rest of this festival was run by volunteers.

The Drink.Eat.Relax website helped gain a lot of social media attention for this event. Vendors and guest’s tweets were posted to encourage more visitors to visit this incredible festival. The festival came to end Sunday December 2^nd around 5 p.m. with great hopes to come again next year!

By Sara Archibald

The Maryland Institute College of Art holds their sixth annual MICA Art Market on Wednesday, Dec. 5 through Saturday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Leidy Atrium and Falvey Hall Lobby. The market allows students to sell their artwork and cultivates professional development, peer-to-peer networking, as well as provides funding for need-based student scholarships.

The event took place on three floors of MICA’s Butler Center.  Tables lined the perimeter of the halls covered with handcrafted one-of-a-kind gifts made by more than 300 MICA students, alumni, faculty and staff.  Every unique craft is made my local artists whose passion is creating art.  The items available for purchase range from ceramics, jewelry, graphic t-shirts and posters to paintings, stationary, hats and bags. Visitors are able to engage one-on-one with each vendor.  This makes the Art Market even more a very special experience.

Jodi Hoover, alum and previous staff member, explained how the MICA Art Market started by about 10 MICA staff members that has grown now to include students. To participate you sign up and it’s first come first serve. Hoover exclaims, “I really love being able to participate and seeing what everyone has been working on and just how much people love Art Market.”