Baltimore Checkbook

Fitch Ratings downgrades University of Maryland...

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/154128985027/fitch-ratings-downgrades-university-of-maryland#_=_

Fitch Ratings has downgraded University of Maryland Medical System’s outlook from stable to negative, largely citing the hospital’s plan to acquire Prince George’s County’s cash-strapped Dimensions Healthcare System. In a report released Dec. 1, the New York ratings agency assigned UMMS that negative outlook based largely on the increased risk associated with the health system’s plans to acquire Dimensions and build a replacement hospital in the county. The new hospital project — dubbed the Prince…

Would you bet your office is one of Baltimore's...

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/154127842182/would-you-bet-your-office-is-one-of-baltimores#_=_

The winning companies of the Baltimore Business Journal’s Best Places to Work 2016 showed us an office lifestyle many of us can only dream of. A work breakfast with mimosas, a lunch catered by Chipotle and a meeting that had one employee dancing on the table is just a sampling of the fun. To top it off, many of them worked hard to keep their employees happy with strong benefits, vacation plans and other incentives. If you’re reading this and thinking, “My office environment is even cooler than…

UMB startup seeks investors to bring technology to...

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/154127842007/umb-startup-seeks-investors-to-bring-technology-to#_=_

Dr. Steven Tropello of the University of Maryland School of Medicine realized the need for a new technology while working in the emergency department. A patient came in one evening needing a feeding tube replaced. Tropello was unable to coordinate the procedure, which required a specialist, the use of expensive endoscopic technology and an operating environment. Eventually he had to admit the patient to the hospital overnight, and decided there had to be a better way to do things. CoapTech is a…

Mount Washington's Curb Shoppe Bar & Grill is...

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/154124971132/mount-washingtons-curb-shoppe-bar-grill-is#_=_

The 82-year-old Curb Shoppe Bar & Grill in Mount Washington has been sold after more than a year on the market. Curb Shoppe LLC purchased the bar and property in November. A purchase price was not disclosed, but the property at 5736 Falls Road was listed for $775,000 and included the 1,600-square-foot building and half the parking lot at 5728 Falls Road. Owner Paul Schiffbauer, who bought the business 23 years ago when he was 26, put the property on the market in September 2015 and said at the…

Donald Trump to attend Army-Navy game Saturday in...

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/154123876452/donald-trump-to-attend-army-navy-game-saturday-in#_=_

President-elect Donald Trump plans to attend this Saturday’s clash between Army and Navy at M&T Bank Stadium, according to Sean Spicer, a spokesman for the Republican National Committee. Citing transition officials, several news outlets report on social media that Trump will sit on the Army side for one half of the game, and the Navy side for the other half. Just in: Trump to attend Army-Navy game this Saturday and plans to sit half on Army side, half on Navy, per transition official.— Philip…

Sam's Club-occupied building in Timonium sells to...

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/154122819157/sams-club-occupied-building-in-timonium-sells-to#_=_

A Phoenix real estate investment trust has paid $18.3 million for a 134,000-square-foot Timonium building that is home to a Sam’s Club. The property sold on Nov. 28 for full asking price. The owners, Jan and Wayne Loftus of Southern California, listed the 10.5-acre property at 15 Texas Station Court over the summer. VEREIT Inc. (NYSE: VER) paid all cash for the building, said Jon Busse, a broker with Colliers International in Carlsbad, Calif., who represented the Loftus family on the sale. The…

McCormick predicts 2017's big flavors — and...

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/154122373152/mccormick-predicts-2017s-big-flavors-and#_=_

Make room on the spice rack. If you want to keep up with the latest trends in cooking, you’re going to have to invest in some new spices and seasonings — and a dictionary. Think Baharat, Shaksuka and Skhug sauce. They are some of the top flavors McCormick & Co. Inc. (NYSE: MKC) says you’ll find on restaurant menus and in foodies’ kitchens come 2017. The Sparks spice company included these and more in its annual Flavor Forecast — which in the past has correctly forecast the rise of Asian-Fusion,…

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra names new CEO

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/154120938357/baltimore-symphony-orchestra-names-new-ceo#_=_

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has named Michigan symphony executive Peter T. Kjome as its new president and CEO. Kjome replaces Paul Meecham, who left in July to become president and CEO of the Utah Symphony/Utah Orchestra after 10 years with the BSO. Kjome will start the role Feb. 1. He currently serves in the same position at the Grand Rapids Symphony in Michigan. Since July, BSO Board Chair Barbara Bozzuto has served as acting president and CEO and she will continue her work as board chair…

8 things you need to know this morning

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/154117787207/8-things-you-need-to-know-this-morning#_=_

Good morning, and happy Tuesday. Today is going to be a bit of a bummer weather-wise. Not much sun, and rain for most of the afternoon. This is a big day in Baltimore, though. Catherine Pugh will be sworn in as the city’s next mayor this afternoon and has a day’s worth of activities planned throughout the day. But more on that below in today’s “8 things.” Mayor-elect Catherine Pugh will officially become Mayor Catherine Pugh today at 11 a.m. Here’s a rundown of her entire inauguration day schedule,…

College Bowl gifts: What the Terps, Navy and other...

http://baltimorecheckbook.tumblr.com/post/154117462122/college-bowl-gifts-what-the-terps-navy-and-other#_=_

The teams playing in the Military Bowl, hosted in Navy’s Annapolis stadium, will come away with more than a win and a loss. According to information compiled by the Sports Business Journal, Wake Forest and Temple, who will face off on Dec. 27 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, also get a $300 Microsoft gift card, an Under Armour backpack, beanie and headphones. The Maryland Terrapins, playing up north in Detroit in the Quick Lane Bowl, won’t be short on late Christmas presents. The team will…