Mold Remediation in Baltimore, MD

It’s the unluckiest day of the year — Friday the 13th. Throw a pinch of salt over your left shoulder, and avoid walking under a ladder.

This Friday — the only Friday the 13th in 2025 — you could also get a flash tattoo.

Tattoo parlors around the country will sell flash designs — tattoos that are predrawn, not custom creations — at discounted prices. The tradition has been around for years, with some tracing it back to a Texas artist who, in the early 2000s, wanted to tattoo “13″ on as many people as possible on the spooky day.

It’s part of the alchemy of a tattoo, said Karina North, a 24-year-old artist at Chapterhouse Tattoo in Lauraville. Friday the 13th, which is supposed to be a bad omen, becomes a play on luck, fun and celebration, she said.

The impulsiveness of not fully knowing what tattoo you’ll get until the final moment is part of the allure. Some parlors let customers spin a wheel or roll dice to select a flash tattoo.

North, who has been at Chapterhouse for a little over a year, said the event builds community and encourages people to live authentically. Friday the 13th eases people into the idea of getting a tattoo, leaning into the superstition to erase the stigma.

“It’s like a nice little way to spread the love,” she said. Then, they usually come back and get more tattoos, she added.

Elyse House, owner of the Looking Glass Tattoo studio in Glen Burnie, echoed North. The event is all about camaraderie and good energy, where people are essentially pressing their luck, House said.

“You do feel a little bit proud of yourself when you get through it,” she said.

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Years ago, during her first Friday the 13th sale as an apprentice, she was stuck at the front desk for more than eight hours, her face and hands stained with stencil residue as she prepared designs. Once she began tattooing full-time, some of her clients told her they have entire sleeves dedicated just to the tradition.

“It’s like a ritual for people,” House said. “Like... ‘Oh, it’s Friday the 13th. I’m being called to get a tattoo.”

Chapterhouse, which is located on 4801 Harford Road, will be doing flashes from noon to 6 p.m. for $100. The Looking Glass Tattoo Studio, at 7954 Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard, will start at 10 a.m. and go through 6 p.m., and tattoos will cost between $50 and $150.

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Beware, though: House and North both said a lot of people get their first tattoos through this event. And so it begins, the itch to get more ... and more ... tattoos.

Don’t say you weren’t warned.

Here are some other places in the Baltimore area that are hosting flash sales for Friday the 13th.

The Baltimore Tattoo Museum

The second-oldest tattoo parlor has “too many designs to post,” according to their Instagram, but they said they “definitely have the one you’re looking for.”

Tattoos are $80 to $130 on arms and legs.

The aesthetic parlor, located at 3 Pinewood Road in Dundalk, will host an event from 2-8 p.m. Both tattoo artists running the event specialize in fine-line designs. While appointments are preferred, walk-ins are welcome, according to the parlor.

Tattoos at the Fells Point studio will cost $50. If you really want to play with your luck, you can throw dice to decide which tattoo to get. The studio is located at 1610 Thames St.

Tattoo artist “Creepy Jason,” who does neotraditionalist style tattoos, wrote on Instagram that he found an old flash sheet in his shop. Think skulls with top hats and a Jason Voorhees hockey mask. He reimagined some of the designs from that sheet and will be tattooing them this Friday.

House of Madness is located at 1220 Main St. in Hampstead. Check his social media for more information on hours and prices.

Tattoo artist Brookelle Bombshelle, who specializes in realism, geometric and neotraditional designs, will be doing Pride-themed flashes at the Spellcraft studio in Highlandtown from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Prices start at $80.

The studio in Bel Air will have tons of flashes featuring the number 13, and the tattoos will be tiny, between 1 to 2 inches. If you just want line work, a tattoo will cost $31. Black and white with shading will be $44 and a simple colored tattoo will be $57.

The store is located at 2436 E. Churchville Road.

As the summer heats up, some Maryland utility customers may catch a break.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced a new $19 million initiative on Thursday to lower energy costs for low- to moderate-income residents. BGE residential customers will get the largest share of relief, at around $15 million, which would be a one-time grant of $250 to $750 per eligible customer.

The initiative is fueled by a partnership with Baltimore Gas and Electric, Delmarva Power, Pepco and nonprofits across the state. It comes as Marylanders’ frustrations over rising energy bills have mounted in recent months.

“Not a day goes by without me hearing from Marylanders about their real and justified concerns over steep bill increases,” Moore said in a statement on Thursday. “While this is an important step forward, it will not be the last. Marylanders are counting on us to put the interests of the people first.”

United Way of Central Maryland, a nonprofit providing direct services to individuals and families in need in the Baltimore region, will distribute the relief program to qualifying BGE customers starting on July 1.

“As summer heat intensifies and energy costs rise, we’re proud to serve as administrator of BGE’s Customer Relief Fund that will help keep the power on for our neighbors in need,” Franklyn Baker, president and CEO of United Way of Central Maryland, said in a statement.

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The Salvation Army, Harford Community Action Agency and Shore UP! will also distribute grants in their respective communities.

Grants are available to customers who are asset limited, income-constrained and employed (ALICE), or meet the limited- or moderate-income requirements.

ALICE “represents the growing number of families who are unable to afford the basics of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology,” according to United for ALICE, a movement led by the United Way of Northern New Jersey. “These workers often struggle to keep their own households from financial ruin, while keeping our local communities running.”

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Qualified customers must also have a past-due BGE bill, among other requirements. If approved, the grants will be credited to the BGE customer’s account.

“At BGE, we recognize the real and growing challenges our customers face due to rising energy costs,” said Tamla Olivier, president and CEO of BGE. Olivier was named CEO of BGE in April and stepped into her new role on May 1.

BGE customers can apply and learn more about the Customer Relief fund at BGE.com/relief or call 800-685-0123.

This is the kind of relief Baltimore residents and council members asked for at a February Baltimore City Council meeting after BGE announced customers could expect a 12.4% increase in gas and electric bills by June.

Councilman Antonio Glover expressed concern about low-income residents at that time. One customer, who said she was on a fixed income, worried about having to choose between heat and oxygen.

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“When we talk about safety and things of that nature, we gotta also think about the burden we’re putting on low-income families,” Glover said at the time.

Most of the frustrations were over natural gas expenses, but that outrage has extended to fast-rising electric bills.

Another increase hit Maryland ratepayers on June 1, sparked by changes in the supply of electricity to the state. This change, which caused “grave concerns” for Maryland legislators in May, could look like a $16 monthly increase for at least the next year.

Maryland ratepayers can also expect a $81-per-household rebate, thanks to the Next Generation Energy Act, which passed in April and was signed by the governor on May 20.

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For now, the Customer Relief Fund will provide temporary refuge for customers who are most affected by the state’s energy crisis.

“This means a mom in Dundalk doesn’t have to choose between paying the electric bill or putting food on the table,” Baker said. “It means older adults in Westminster can stay safe and cool during heat waves. And it means kids in Columbia can get a warm dinner or a cool beverage thanks to a working stove or fridge.”

bria.overs@thebaltimorebanner.com

Bria Overs is a business reporter at The Baltimore Banner. She covers small business and consumer and economic trends, with a special interest in minority- and women-owned businesses, technology and labor. She previously worked at Business Insider, Word In Black and contributed to local publications in Los Angeles, her hometown.

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Several Maryland communities are planning to hold "No Kings" protests on Saturday, June 14, joining what organizers are calling "a nationwide day of defiance."

The rallies coincide with President Trump's birthday and the Army's 250th anniversary parade taking place in Washington, D.C. Protesters aim to call out the administration for its policies and actions on immigration enforcement and cuts to federal funding.

"From city blocks to small towns, from courthouse steps to community parks, we're taking action to reject authoritarianism—and show the world what democracy really looks like," protest organizers said.

What is "No Kings Day"?

Organizers of the movement planned "No Kings Day" to coincide with a parade being held in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary. The parade and accompanying festival are expected to cost between $25 million and $45 million, CBS News reported.

The movement is committed to non-violent action, leaders said, and aims, "to say no thrones, no crowns, no kings."

Organizers say they want the events to remain peaceful. "We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events," the website reads.

"No Kings" protests in Baltimore

According to the "No Kings" website, protests will be held at the following locations Saturday in the Baltimore area:

Immigration protests in Baltimore

The "No Kings" movement comes as some Baltimore communities have seen a rise in protests opposing the rise in immigration enforcement under Mr. Trump's second term in office.

On Wednesday, immigration advocates rallied and marched to speak out against recent ICE arrests in the Baltimore area.

Several of the ICE arrests, which were captured on video, occurred at "sensitive locations" that families need to live, according to CASA leaders.

On June 9, advocates marched to the Baltimore ICE Field Office, calling for the Trump administration to stop violating human rights.

ESSEX, MD—Baltimore County officials celebrated the opening of a new $1 million accessible trail at Rocky Point Park on Wednesday, a project designed to enhance recreational access for all residents and visitors to the scenic waterfront park.

County Executive Kathy Klausmeier, joined by the Department of Recreation and Parks and community leaders, officially unveiled the new pathway. The project, funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), replaces a deteriorating path that lacked accessibility, significantly improving usability and safety.

“Parks are for everyone, and I am thrilled that visitors of all different abilities are now able to access this beautiful park and enjoy one of the best waterfront views in Baltimore County,” Klausmeier said. “Thanks to our federal partners for supporting this important project, which I know will attract visitors from all over the region.”

The new trail and its amenities highlight the county’s focus on inclusive, sustainable and environmentally friendly recreation. Key features include sidewalks and walkways made from porous, flexible paving materials of recycled automobile tire rubber and stone, and reinforced concrete boardwalk planks.

The project also includes a new 30-foot by 50-foot pavilion with a grill, accessible parking, and native plantings such as 10 canopy trees, four understory trees and 10 shrubs. Bench tops are made from recycled plastics.

“Baltimore County is focused on making recreation accessible for all people,” said Bob Smith, director of Recreation and Parks. “Our work to reimagining recreation and parks includes providing facilities and programs that are high quality, diverse and accessible.”

The new trail complements a newly installed playground, one of 60 playground replacements completed by Baltimore County since 2022. Rocky Point Park is also home to the historic Ballestone-Stansbury House, a popular beach, boating facilities, a fishing pier, picnic areas, a sailing center, pavilions and a bathhouse. This trail is one of nearly two dozen recreation and trail projects currently underway countywide aimed at expanding accessibility.

Maryland will be moving agencies out of several state-owned facilities in downtown Baltimore as part of a broader cost-saving plan that Gov. Wes Moore announced Friday.

Administration officials have said that they inherited a portfolio of facilities facing decades of underinvestment and neglect. Moore and his team have canceled planned renovations at several state-owned buildings in Baltimore, opting instead to move agencies to commercial leased space in the coming years.

The administration has estimated that relocating agencies, rather than renovating downtown office spaces, will save roughly $326 million over the next 20 to 25 years. Much of the savings, though, is tied to ongoing plans to move thousands of state employees from the State Center campus in Midtown.

The savings plan also includes spending about $250 million less over the next five years on procurements, information technology and state vehicles. The administration has outlined plans to spend less on shipping by mail, terminate underused phone lines, consolidate cybersecurity tools and purchase fewer vehicles each year, among other measures.

“While the federal government recklessly slashes budgets and lays off public servants, we are using data to save taxpayers money and modernize government in a targeted way,” Moore said in a statement. “This announcement is only the beginning of our efforts.”

Moore signed an executive order in January prompting agency officials to find ways to modernize government processes and save money.

The plan included entering a pay-for-performance contract with Boston Consulting Group, under which the company identifies and implements ways to make state functions and programs more cost-effective, and it receives a 20% share of the cost savings it helps to find, up to nearly $15 million.

More than one-third of the projected real estate savings comes from existing plans to relocate state employees from four buildings in the dilapidated State Center complex in Baltimore to office space elsewhere in the downtown area.

The next-largest savings amount, up to $80 million, is also tied to the State Center relocations. State officials in April approved a new capital lease for the Baltimore facility that will become the new headquarters for the Maryland Department of Health, which has been housed at the Midtown campus.

The department and nearly 3,000 of its employees are expected to leave State Center and move into their new offices at 300 N. Greene Street, formerly the Metro West complex for the Social Security Administration, by the end of 2026. The facility has been vacant since 2014.

The new capital lease changed how the state will pay for the relocation and renovations at the Metro West facility. The agreement will allow the state to finance nearly $45 million in costs that would normally fall to the agency that’s moving, provide more long-term control over the Metro West grounds, and support revitalization in the surrounding area, which includes the University of Maryland, Baltimore and Lexington Market.

Moore’s announcement Friday included plans to cancel renovations to state property at 2100 Guilford Ave., the William Donald Schaefer Tower at 6 St. Paul St., 310 and 311 W. Saratoga St. and the Nancy S Grasmick State Education Building at 200 W. Baltimore St.

The state will instead move the agencies at each of these buildings to commercial leased space, according to the Department of General Services.

The administration will also move the Office of the Public Defender from its offices at 201 St. Paul St. to commercial leased space. The public defender’s office had outgrown its office space, and state officials determined that a relocation was the “most efficient” option.