Childtime of baltimore: Schools in the Baltimore, Towson

Опубликовано: March 19, 2023 в 5:49 am

Автор: alexxlab

Категории: Child

Schools in the Baltimore, Towson

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21 Learning Care Group Schools in the Baltimore, Towson Area

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1341 Ashton Road
Hanover, MD 21076

Phone:
877. 624.2602
877.624.2602

Ages: 8 Weeks – 12 Years

Open: M-F, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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6905 Oakland Mills Road Suite D
Columbia, MD 21045

Phone:
877.624.2602
877.624.2602

Ages: 6 Weeks – 12 Years

Open: M-F, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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4895 Montgomery Road
Ellicott City, MD 21043

Phone:
877. 624.2602
877.624.2602

Ages: 6 Weeks – 12 Years

Open: M-F, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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301 E. Fort Ave. Suite 200
Baltimore, MD 21230

Phone:
877.624.2602
877.624.2602

Ages: 6 Weeks – 5 Years

Open: M-F, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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804 Moores Mill Road
Bel Air, MD 21014

Phone:
877. 624.2602
877.624.2602

Ages: 6 Weeks – 12 Years

Open: M-F, 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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1322 Policy Drive
Belcamp, MD 21017

Phone:
877.624.2602
877.624.2602

Ages: 6 Weeks – 12 Years

Open: M-F, 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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2219 E. Churchville Rd
Bel Air, MD 21015

Phone:
877.624.2602
877.624.2602

Ages: 6 Weeks – 12 Years

Open: M-F, 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM

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2434A W. Belvedere
Baltimore, MD 21215

Phone:
877.861.5078
877.861.5078

Ages: 6 Weeks – 5 Years

Open: M-F, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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7475 Eden Brook Drive
Columbia, MD 21046

Phone:
877. 861.5078
877.861.5078

Ages: 6 Weeks – 12 Years

Open: M-F, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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2295 Johns Hopkins Rd.
Gambrills, MD 21054

Phone:
877.861.5078
877.861.5078

Ages: 6 Weeks – 12 Years

Open: M-F, 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM

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8890 Columbia 100 Parkway
Columbia, MD 21045

Phone:
877. 861.5078
877.861.5078

Ages: 6 Weeks – 12 Years

Open: M-F, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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10101 Frederick Rd
Ellicott City, MD 21042

Phone:
877.861.5078
877.861.5078

Ages: 6 Weeks – 12 Years

Open: M-F, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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6701 N. Charles St
Towson, MD 21204

Phone:
877.861.5078
877.861.5078

Ages: 6 Weeks – 12 Years

Open: M-F, 6:30 AM – 6:00 PM

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4320 Forge Rd
Perry Hall, MD 21128

Phone:
866.222.0269
866.222.0269

Ages: 6 Weeks – 12 Years

Open: M-F, 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM

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3240 Bethany Ln
Ellicott City, MD 21042

Phone:
866. 561.3414
866.561.3414

Ages: 6 Weeks – 5 Years

Open: M-F, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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5009 Honeygo Center Dr
Perry Hall, MD 21128

Phone:
866.561.3414
866.561.3414

Ages: 6 Weeks – 5 Years

Open: M-F, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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8251 Tamar Dr
Columbia, MD 21045

Phone:
866. 561.3414
866.561.3414

Ages: 6 Weeks – 5 Years

Open: M-F, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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8310 Guilford Rd F
Columbia, MD 21046

Phone:
866.561.3414
866.561.3414

Ages: 6 Weeks – 5 Years

Open: M-F, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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400 Meadow Creek Dr
Westminster, MD 21158

Phone:
866. 561.3414
866.561.3414

Ages: 6 Weeks – 5 Years

Open: M-F, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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1320 Main Chapel Way
Gambrills, MD 21054

Phone:
866.561.3414
866.561.3414

Ages: 6 Weeks – 5 Years

Open: M-F, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

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31 Hopkins Plaza Suite G300
Baltimore, MD 21201

Phone:
877. 861.5078
877.861.5078

Ages: 6 Weeks – 5 Years

Open: M-F, 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Schedule a Tour

This is much more than just daycare. At Childtime^®, we’re committed to doing everything possible to support our community. It starts with a healthy, safe environment when your child is away from home.

We’re all on this journey together, so we provide a comprehensive digital experience to keep families connected. SproutAbout^® is our all-in-one, custom-built live streaming and communications app designed with your family in mind. Easily communicate with teachers and school leaders, see what your child is learning, and feel confident knowing the details of their day.

We offer developmentally appropriate programs and specialized curriculum for infants to school-age students. Our School Readiness Pathway provides options to create the most fitting path for your child to elementary school and future academic success.

Infant Care and Toddler Programs feature Learn from the Start™, our exclusive, milestone-based curriculum.
Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten Programs offer math and literacy learning plus opportunities for social development.
Junior Kindergarten enhances your child’s abilities before kindergarten.

Join us for summer camp!

We have tons of exciting things in store for children of all ages. Sign up today to embrace big fun and make the most of your child’s summer—all day, every day. We also invite you to join us during the week of Spring Break to get a sneak peek of our camp experience.

Check out our school for yourself to see all the exciting things going on! Depending on location, virtual and/or in-person tours may be available.

*Offer provides a waiver for the new enrollment registration fee, valued at approximately $150 depending on facility. New enrollments are defined as those that haven’t been enrolled in any Learning Care Group, Inc. facility in the last 6 months. Registration fee credit is applied upon enrollment. Offer is valid on a space-available basis for all age groups. No cash value. Limit one offer per child, one time use. Certain restrictions may apply to subsidy families. See school for details. Offer not valid for Learning Care Group associates or their immediate families. Offer valid at participating locations only and subject to availability. Programs and hours of operation may vary by school. Offer does not guarantee enrollment. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Must enroll by February 25, 2023. ©2022 Learning Care Group (US) No. 2 Inc.

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Childtime | Baltimore MD

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About the Provider

Description:

Opening in November, 2014! We are currently accepting enrollments – call now for more information. Space is limited! Welcome to Childtime learning center in Baltimore, MD! My name is Sarah and I am the proud Director of this center! I have been with Childtime for two years and have over nine years of experience in child care. I have a Bachelor of Science degree in early childhood education and am certified to teach early childhood through 6th grade. Our program features care for children ages six weeks through five years. For our infant care, toddlers, and two-year-olds, we offer the Learn From the Start curriculum, which focuses on individual milestones and achievements. For preschool and pre-Kindergarten children, we have the Empowered Child curriculum, which focuses on Kindergarten (and beyond!) readiness and social skills.

Childtime is a place where your needs as a family mesh with your child’s needs as a burgeoning little person. We pride ourselves in being open and available to all families; you can call or stop by at any time. Our goal is to help cultivate each child’s potential while providing a safe, nurturing environment for all family members. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday 6:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., giving families a longer day to use care when they need it.

I am very proud of this center and it will be my pleasure to tour you around our school. Once you see the wonderful things we are doing here at Childtime educational daycare in Baltimore, MD, I am sure that you will want to be a part of our ever-expanding family! Call us today to schedule your tour!

Program and Licensing Details

License Number:
250432
Capacity:
47
Age Range:
6 weeks through 17 months, 18 months through 23 months, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, 5 years, 5 years to 15 years
Enrolled in Subsidized Child Care Program:
No
Type of Care:
Childcare
District Office:
Region 2 – Baltimore City
District Office Phone:
410-554-8300 (Note: This is not the facility phone number.)

Location Map

Inspection/Report History

Pinnacle Pointe Daycare Academy – U…

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Pinnacle Pointe Daycare Academy – Union City GA Child Care Learning Center

Where possible, ChildcareCenter provides inspection reports as a service to families. This information is deemed reliable,
but is not guaranteed. We encourage families to contact the daycare provider directly with any questions or concerns,
as the provider may have already addressed some or all issues. Reports can also be verified with your local daycare licensing office.

Date	Type	Regulations	Status

2022-02-22	Mandatory Review	13A.16.03.05B	Corrected
Findings: The center did not have staffing patterns posted.

2022-02-22	Mandatory Review	13A.16.05.01B	Corrected
Findings: The center fire permit is expired.

2022-02-22	Mandatory Review	13A.16.06.09C	Corrected
Findings: The center did not ensure that two (2) child care teachers completed 12 hours of training for 2021.

2022-02-22	Mandatory Review	13A.16.12.06E(1)	Corrected
Findings: Observed infant bottles that were not labeled or dated. The noncompliance was corrected during the inspection.

2021-02-11	Full	13A.16.06.05C(1)	Corrected
Findings: The director did not complete 12 hours of training for year 2020.

2021-02-11	Full	13A.16.06.09B	Corrected
Findings: The center did not have proof of annual training for 4 child care teachers.

2021-02-11	Full	13A.16.06.12B(1)	Corrected
Findings: An aide staff member did not complete 6 hours of training for year 2020.

2020-06-17	Other	13A. 16.03.06A(2)	Corrected
Findings: The center did not inform OCC of the ending of employment for 5 employees.

2020-06-17	Other	13A.16.12.04F(3)	Corrected
Findings: The center refrigerator did not have a thermometer.

2020-01-14	Mandatory Review	13A.16.03.06A(2)	Corrected
Findings: The center did not report that 2 employees were no longer employed with the center.

2020-01-14	Mandatory Review	13A.16.05.07B	Corrected
Findings: The center did not have a drinking water source for classrooms Preschool and Pre-K.

2020-01-14	Mandatory Review	13A.16.06.09B(1)	Corrected
Findings: One child care teacher did not complete 12 hours of training for 2019

2020-01-14	Mandatory Review	13A. 16.12.01A(2)	Corrected
Findings: The center did not serve milk with the lunch meal.

2019-01-22	Complaint	13A.16.08.03D(1)	Corrected
Findings: Observed a group of 14 children in the Two’s only room. The group had 3 children under the age of 2. The room capacity of the two’s room is only 10 children, thus the room was over capacity by 4 children.

2019-01-22	Complaint	13A.16.08.02B	Corrected
Findings: Observed 2 staff members in the Two’s classroom assigned to 4 children under age 2 who do not have the requirements for that age group.

If you are a provider and you believe any information is incorrect, please contact us. We will research your concern and make corrections accordingly.

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Read the book “The Book of Baltimore” online in full📖 – Joel Dicker – MyBook.

* * *

in his memory

Prologue

Sunday, October 24, 2004

(one month before Drama)

My cousin Woody is going to prison tomorrow. He will spend the next five years of his life there.

On the way from the Baltimore airport to Oak Park, where I spent my childhood and where he and I spend his last day of freedom, I can already see him entering the gates of the imposing correctional institution in Cheshire, Connecticut.

We sit all day at my Uncle Saul’s house where we used to be so happy. Hillel and Alexandra are with us, and for a few hours we are again the magnificent four of the past. At that moment, it never occurs to me what this day will mean in the life of each of us. nine0003

Two days later, Uncle Saul calls me.

– Marcus? This is Uncle Saul.

– Hello Uncle Saul. How are you…

He doesn’t let me finish:

– Marcus, listen to me carefully. Come to Baltimore immediately. No need to ask questions. Something serious has happened.

Beeps in the handset. At first I think that the conversation is interrupted, and I immediately call back; he does not respond. I call again and again, in the end he picks up the phone and says only:

– Come to Baltimore. nine0003

More beeps.

If you come across this book, please read it.

I want someone to know the history of the Baltimore Goldmans.

Part One

Book of Lost Youth
(1989–1997)

I am a writer.

Everyone calls me that. Friends, parents, relatives and even strangers; people recognize me in public places and ask: “Are you by any chance not the writer who? ..” I am a writer, and that says it all. nine0003

People think that if you are a writer, then your life is serene. The other day, a friend of mine complained that he had to travel far to work and said: “What do you care, you got up in the morning, sat down at the table and write to yourself. That’s all”. I said nothing; it is hard to realize how much your work looks like complete idleness to everyone. People think you’re chilling, but you’re working like hell when you’re not doing anything.

Writing a book is like starting a summer camp. Suddenly, without warning, a whole crowd of noisy characters breaks into your lonely peaceful life and turns everything upside down. They arrive in the morning, tumble out of the big bus, clamor excitedly, ready to play their parts. And you will not go anywhere: you will have to take care of them, feed them, settle them in rooms. You are responsible for everything. After all, you are a writer. nine0003

This story began in February 2012; I was about to write a new novel and left New York for my new home in Boca Raton, Florida. I bought it three months ago – sold the film rights to my latest book – and now went there for the first time, apart from short forays in December and January when furniture was brought in. The house was spacious, all in panoramic windows, and stood by the lake, around which the locals liked to walk. This green, very quiet area was inhabited mainly by wealthy pensioners, and among them I looked like a black sheep. I was half my age, but I liked the place precisely because of its absolute peace. This is exactly what I needed to write. nine0003

Unlike my previous short visits, I was now in no hurry and went to Florida by car. The 1200-mile journey did not frighten me at all: in recent years I often rode from New York to visit my uncle, Saul Goldman, who, after the Drama that befell his family, settled in the suburbs of Miami. I knew the road like the back of my hand.

Leaving snow-covered New York, where the thermometer showed minus ten, two days later I found myself in the warm winter tropics of Boca Raton. As familiar palm trees flickered along the sun-drenched highway, I couldn’t help but think of Uncle Saul. I missed him terribly. I realized this when I almost missed the turnoff to Boca Raton: I wanted to go further, to see him in Miami. I even thought that in previous times I came, probably not so much for the sake of furniture, but to get used to Florida again. She was completely different without him. nine0003

My next door neighbor in Boca Raton was a handsome old man in his seventies, Leonard Horowitz, a former constitutional law luminary at Harvard; he spent every winter in Florida and, in order to occupy himself with something after the death of his wife, wrote a book, but he could not start it. We met the day I bought the house. He came to me with a whole package of beer cans and congratulated me on my arrival; we immediately found a common language. Since then, it has become a habit with him, he visited every time I came. We quickly became friends. nine0003

He appreciated my company and, I think, was glad that I would live here for a while. I said that I was going to write another novel, and he immediately started talking about his own. He put his whole soul into it, but the plot did not want to get off the ground. He carried with him everywhere a large notebook on a spring, on the cover of which he drew “Notebook No. 1” with a felt-tip pen, as if making it clear that there were others. He always sat with his nose buried in her – right in the morning, on the terrace of his house or at the kitchen table; sometimes I found him doing the same thing somewhere in a cafe in the city center. And he, on the contrary, saw that I was walking, swimming in the lake, going to the beach or jogging. In the evenings he rang the doorbell, brought fresh beer. We drank it on my terrace, against the backdrop of a wonderful lake and palm trees turning pink in the setting sun, played chess and listened to music. Having made a move and never taking his eyes off the chessboard, he always asked me the same question:

– Well, Marcus, how is your book?

Move, Leo, move.

So two weeks passed, but one evening, aiming to eat my boat, he suddenly removed his hand and said with unexpected annoyance:

– Why did you come here, isn’t it to write a novel?

– Yes, write, but what?

– And the fact that you don’t do a damn thing, and it infuriates me.

– What makes you think that I do nothing?

– What can’t I see? You dream all day long, go in for sports and admire the clouds. I am seventy-eight years old, it is I who must rest from the works of the righteous, and you must work hard! nine0003

– What’s pissing you off, Leo? My book or your own?

I hit the mark. He softened:

– I just want to understand how you do it. I don’t have a romance. So I’m curious about how you work.

– I sit right here on the terrace and think. It’s hard work, trust me. And you write to keep your head busy. Quite another matter.

He moved the bishop forward and gave me a check.

– Could you suggest me a good plot for a novel? nine0003

– This is impossible.

– Why?

– You have to come up with it yourself.

– At least don’t write anything about Boca Raton, I beg you. It was not enough for all your readers to come here to stare at your house.

I smiled:

– Don’t look for a plot, Leo. He himself will appear. The plot is some kind of event, and it can happen at any moment.

Could I imagine that exactly at the moment when I spoke these words, everything would happen like that? I noticed the silhouette of a dog on the shore of the lake. Prowling back and forth, burying his nose in the grass; muscular, but lean, with pointed ears. There were no walkers nearby. nine0003

“And the dog seems to run by itself,” I said.

Horowitz raised his head, looked at the dog and snapped:

– We don’t have stray dogs here.

– I didn’t say the dog was a stray. I said she walks by herself.

I am madly in love with dogs. I stood up, folded my hands like a mouthpiece and whistled, calling the dog. The dog pricked up his ears. I whistled again and he ran towards us.

“Crazy,” Leo grumbled, “who told you that the dog is not rabid? Your turn. nine0003

“No one,” I answered, moving my rook absently.

Horowitz ate my queen as a punishment for impudence.

The dog ran up to the terrace. I squatted down in front of him. Male, rather large, dark in color, with a black half-mask and long seal whiskers. He pressed his head against me, I stroked him. Looks very affectionate. I immediately felt that there was a connection between us, something like love at first sight; dog lovers will understand. No collar, no identification marks. nine0003

– Have you seen this dog before? I asked Leo.

– Never.

The dog sniffed the terrace, turned around and, defying my attempts to hold him back, disappeared behind palm trees and bushes.

“Looks like he knows where to go,” said Horowitz. – Probably the dog of one of the neighbors.

The evening was very stuffy. When Leo left, leaden clouds could be seen in the sky even in the darkness. Soon a strong thunderstorm approached, dazzling flashes sparkled beyond the lake, and then the sky opened up and spilled a wall of water. About midnight I was reading in the living room and suddenly I heard a yelp from the direction of the terrace. I went to see what was the matter, and through the glass door I saw that same dog – the coat was wet, it looked miserable. I opened it and he immediately slipped into the house and stared at me pleadingly. nine0003

“Okay, stay,” I said.

I put two pots of food and water for him instead of bowls, sat down next to him, wiped him with a bath towel, and we began to watch the rain streaming through the windows.

He spent the night with me. The next morning, when I woke up, I found him sleeping peacefully on the tiled kitchen floor. I made a rope leash – just like that, just in case, he obediently followed me on my heels even without it – and we went to look for his owner.

Leo drank coffee on the porch, under a canopy; in front of him lay Notebook No. 1, open to a hopelessly blank page. nine0003

– What are you doing with that dog, Marcus? he asked when he saw me putting the dog in the trunk.

– He came to me on the terrace at night. I let him in, in such and such a thunderstorm. I think he got lost.

– And where are you going?

– I’ll post a notice at the supermarket.

– If only you didn’t have to work, honestly.

– I’m just working.

– Don’t overdo it, old chap.

– I’ll try.

After posting a sign in two nearby supermarkets, I decided to walk the dog along the main street of Boca Raton in the hope that someone would recognize him. In vain. In the end, I went to the police station, from there I was sent to the veterinarian. Sometimes dogs have chips, you can use them to find the owner. The dog did not have a chip, the vet could not help. He suggested that I give the dog to a shelter, I refused and went home, accompanied by my new friend; he, it must be said, despite his impressive size, behaved extremely calmly and obediently. nine0003

Leo sat on his porch and waited for me to return. Seeing me, he rushed towards me, waving some printouts. Recently, he discovered the magical search engine Google and spent the whole day hammering into it all the questions that came into his head. For him, a university figure who spent most of his life sitting in libraries in search of the necessary references, the magic of search algorithms acted especially strongly.

“I did a little investigation here,” he said in such a tone as if he had solved the Kennedy case, and handed me about a dozen pages; soon have to help him change the cartridge in the printer. nine0003

– And what did you find out, Professor Horowitz?

– Dogs always find their way home. Some run thousands of miles to get back.

– What would you advise me?

Leo assumed the air of an old sage:

– Instead of dragging the dog along, follow him. He knows where to go and you don’t.

The neighbor was right. I decided to let the dog off the rope leash, let him run where he wants. He trotted forward, first along the lake, then along the footpath. We crossed the golf course and found ourselves in another residential area unfamiliar to me on the shore of a narrow sea bay. The dog trotted along the road, then turned right twice and finally stopped at the gate, beyond which a magnificent house was visible. Here he sat down and barked. I called the intercom. A woman’s voice answered me, I said that I had found their dog, and the gate opened. The dog, obviously rejoicing at the return, ran to the house. nine0003

I followed. A woman appeared on the porch, and the dog jumped around her in a fit of happiness. I heard her call him by his first name – Duke. As they caressed each other, I moved closer. She raised her head and I was dumbfounded.

– Alexandra? I barely spoke.

– Marcus?

She couldn’t believe her eyes either.

More than seven years have passed since the Drama that separated us, and now we have met. She opened her eyes wide and suddenly exclaimed:

“Marcus, is that you?! nine0003

I stood as if struck by thunder.

She ran up to me:

– Marcus!

In a burst of genuine tenderness, she cupped my face in her hands. It was as if she, too, could not believe her eyes and wanted to make sure that this was not a dream. I still couldn’t get a word out.

“Marcus,” she said, “I can’t even believe it’s you.

* * *

You must have heard – unless you live in a cave – about Alexandra Neville, the most famous singer and musician of today. In recent years, she has become an idol that the whole country has long been waiting for; she brought the music business out of stagnation. Her three albums have sold twenty million copies; she was named to Time magazine’s list of the most influential people for the second year in a row, and her personal fortune was estimated at $150 million. The public adored her, the critics admired her. She was loved by both teenagers and deep old people. Everyone loved her; in my opinion, all of America did nothing but chant frantically four favorite syllables. nine0016 A-lek-san-dra .

She lived with hockey player Kevin Legendre, a native of Canada, who at that moment just appeared behind her back.

– You found Duke! We’ve been looking for him since yesterday! Alex was so worried. Thank you!

He extended his hand to me. I saw his bicep bulge as he squeezed my fingers. I knew Kevin only from the tabloids, which vied with each other to discuss his relationship with Alexandra. He was defiantly handsome, even better than in the photographs. For a moment he peered curiously into my face and asked:0003

– I saw you somewhere, didn’t I?

– My name is Markus. Marcus Goldman.

– Writer, right?

– He is the best.

– I read your latest book. Alexandra advised, she really likes what you write.

Something incredible was happening. I met Alexandra again, at her fiancé’s house. Kevin did not understand anything and suggested that I have dinner with them; I willingly agreed.

We grilled huge steaks on a giant barbeque on the terrace. I didn’t keep track of Kevin’s recent career changes: I thought he was still a defenseman for the Nashville Predators, but it turns out that during the summer transfers he was sold to the Florida Panthers. The house belonged to him. He now lived in Boca Raton, and Alexandra came to see him between the recordings of the new album. nine0003

It wasn’t until the end of dinner that Kevin realized that Alexandra and I knew each other well.

Are you from New York? – he asked.

– Yes. I live there.

– What brings you to Florida?

– I used to come here in recent years. My uncle lived in Coconut Grove and I visited him often. I recently bought a house in Boca Raton, not far from here. I wanted to find a quiet place to write.

– How is your uncle doing? Alexandra asked. “I didn’t know he left Baltimore. nine0003

I avoided answering and only said:

– He left Baltimore after the Drama.

Kevin, without noticing it, pointed a fork at us:

– It seems to me, or do you really know each other?

“I lived in Baltimore for several years,” Alexandra replied.

“And my relatives also lived in Baltimore,” I said. – Just an uncle with his wife and my cousins. They lived in the same area with Alexandra’s family.

Alexandra thought it best not to develop this topic, and we started talking about something else. After supper she offered to take me home since I had come on foot. nine0003

In the car, alone with her, I could clearly feel the tension hanging in the air. And in the end he said:

– Go crazy, your dog should have run to me …

– He often runs away.

It occurred to me inopportunely to joke:

– He probably doesn’t like Kevin.

“Don’t start, Marcus,” she snapped harshly.

– Don’t do this, Alex…

– How – so?

– You know very well what I mean.

She braked hard in the middle of the road and looked me straight in the eyes:

– Why did you do this to me, Marcus?

I barely held her gaze.

– You left me!

– I’m sorry. I had reasons.

– Reasons? There was no reason for you to ruin everything!

– Alexandra, but they… They are dead!

– So what? Am I to blame?

“No,” I replied. – Sorry. Forgive me for all.

There was an oppressive silence. After that, I only told her the way to the house. When we arrived she said:

– Thanks for Duke.

– I would love to see you again.

– I think it’s best to leave things as they are. Don’t come back, Marcus.

– To Kevin?

– Into my life. Please don’t come into my life again.

She left.

I didn’t feel like going home at all. The keys to my car were in my pocket, and I decided to take a ride. I turned onto Miami, without thinking twice, drove through the city, to the quiet area of Coconut Grove, and parked at my uncle’s house. The weather was warm, I got out of the car and, leaning against the hood, looked at the house for a long time. It seemed to me that my uncle was here, that I felt his presence. I wanted to see him again, and there was only one way to do it. Write about it. nine0003

* * *

Saul Goldman was my father’s brother. Before the Drama, before the events I’m about to tell you about, he was, in the words of my grandparents, “a very big man.” He headed one of the largest law firms in Baltimore and, thanks to his experience, handled the most high-profile cases throughout Maryland. The Dominic Purnell case is him. The City of Baltimore v. Morris case is also him. The Sunridge Illicit Dealing Case is also him. Everyone in Baltimore knew him. It was written about in the newspapers, it was shown on TV, and I remember what an impression it made on me at one time. He married his youthful love, the one that became for me Aunt Anita, the most beautiful woman and the most affectionate mother, in my then childish opinion. She was the lead oncologist at the famous local clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital. With their wonderful son Hillel, a kind and unusually smart boy, almost my age, we treated each other like brothers. nine0003

With them I spent the best days of my youth, and for a long time at the mere mention of their name I was filled with lively pride and happiness. Then they seemed to me better than all the families, better than all the people I have ever met: the happiest, the most successful, the most purposeful, the most respected. For many years, life has proven me right. They were of a different breed. I was fascinated by the ease with which they walked through life, blinded by their radiance, conquered by their prosperity. I admired their manner, their things, their position in society. Their huge house, their fancy cars, their summer villa in the Hamptons0328 [1] , their Miami apartment, because every March they go skiing in Whistler, British Columbia. Their simplicity, their happiness. Their cordial attitude towards me. Their magnificent superiority, for which it was impossible not to love them. They did not inspire envy – the incomparable are not envied. Gods’ favorites. I believed for a long time that nothing would ever happen to them. I believed for a long time that they would live forever.

The day after my unexpected meeting with Alexandra, I spent the whole day locked up in my office. Except at dawn, in the chill, he went for a run along the lake. nine0003

“At six years old I saw all kinds of guns and drugs, because this is Baltimore of the West”

There are a lot of sports publications in Spain. Many of them, due to their tendency to yellowness, do not enjoy great prestige among the population.

But there is one thing that stands apart. This is the “Jot Down” magazine, which tells about a variety of events taking place in Spain and in the world. Thanks to the high professionalism of its journalists, the publication has become a cult, and fresh issues are selling like hot cakes. Articles and interviews published in Jot Down tend to give readers a lot of food for thought. The presentation of information is significantly different from most media. For example, at the height of the anti-Russian campaign in the Western press, Jot Down gives the floor to one of the leading Russian scholars in Spain, journalist and writer Daniel Utrilye. The conversation with him comes out under the headline, sensational for the West, “Russia understands that the goal is to weaken its economy, and Ukraine is only a tool to achieve this.” nine0003

Jot Down talks about basketball a lot and is no less interesting than anything else. To verify this, just type the tag “baloncesto”. And literally from every material, even on a familiar topic, you can draw something interesting, most of the texts are simply masterpieces. This blog entry publishes a translation of an interview with Dontay Draper, who was playing for Real Madrid at the time of publication (December 2012).

***

The interview was headlined “Dontay Draper: Seen All Kinds of Guns and Drugs at Six, Because That’s West Baltimore.” nine0003

“You can leave Baltimore, but Baltimore will never leave you.” There are two tattoos on his wrists: on the right – the inscription “B-More”, on the left – three numbers 410, the telephone code for his hometown from the Atlantic coast of the United States. A black woolen Dolce & Gabbana hat, pulled up to the eyebrows and a childishly naive expression on his face. For this guy, basketball has become what the port of Baltimore is for hard workers unloading endless lines of containers from ships arriving in this East Coast city: hard work to the point of aching kidneys, sometimes requiring pinpoint accuracy in building containers into tiered stacks. nine0003

On the west side of Baltimore is a conglomeration of social housing called the Lexington Terrace Projects. It is separated from the central part of the city by a “cordon sanitaire” of highway interchanges. In bureaucratic parlance, it was called an “urban development project.” But it would be possible to get by with five letters – “ghetto”. It was here, in the natural scenery of the first season of The Wire, that Dontay Dominic Draper was born.

Jot Down: I must admit that in Europe, before the release of The Wire, few people could find Baltimore on the map …

Dontay Draper or simply D: Don’t worry about it, in the States too.

JD: Is it annoying?

Dee: Why should this annoy me? The Listener is telling the truth.

JD: No exaggeration?

Dee: It’s a series. Naturally, that is a little exaggerated. And the point is, not much. When we were kids, we used to play football outside in the summer. Shots could be heard every evening. I repeat: every evening. We ran home. After the shooting subsided, we resumed our ball games. Now I understand that it was crazy to be on the street when you are seven years old, and armed showdowns take place around every now and then. But that’s West Baltimore. Then we didn’t care much. This was our daily life. nine0003

His “hooded guy” persona contrasts with the boundless human charm that emanates from him. His speech is unhurried, a pleasant refined accent slips through it. Harvard and West Baltimore crossed paths in this guy who goes by the name of Dontay Draper, or “D” as those close to him call him. He is also named by two Sergios, Yul and Rodriguez, with whom he shares the position of playmaker at his current club. He knows that they are the stars here, and he is assigned the role of a mechanic for cases when the mechanism suddenly starts to fail in some hot Turkish arena. He has a special mission in this club. nine0003

Before this interview, I doubted that Draper, who everyone considers shy, would want to discuss a series that he might not have even seen. However, it turned out that he not only saw, but even experienced. And when he started talking about street life, it was already impossible to stop him.

Dee: The wire was made by people from Baltimore. Behind all the characters are real prototypes. So behind the image of Avon Barksdale (a drug dealer in the first three seasons – approx. Jot Down) is Nathan Barksdale, nicknamed Bodie. My mother knows him personally. Now he is in prison. nine0003

Dontey was born in the house of his grandparents, besides them his aunts and his mother, who worked at the post office, lived there. He hardly saw her, as she worked all the time to feed her family. His grandmother was involved in his upbringing. But the main teacher of life was the street, and reality did not leave much freedom of choice.

Dee: Look, we all steal. F**k, we’re Projects! We went to some store, grabbed drinks, football magazines. Once someone offered to steal something more substantial, audio equipment, etc. On that day, I said to myself: “I am the pass.” If you have character and willpower, you can stop. But this must be done as early as possible. nine0003

Two of his close friends couldn’t stop themselves and are now serving life sentences for murder. Another five received different terms for selling drugs.

Dee: At the age of six, I saw all kinds of small arms and drugs that existed at that time. In West Baltimore, this was called “normal childhood.” Everyone lived among it. On the corner of my house, as well as on the corners of neighboring houses, they sold drugs. Packing was carried out in the basement of a neighboring house. And so on.

JD: The Wire has the idea of legalizing drugs. What do you think about it? nine0003

Dee: Oh no! In no case. You don’t even know what you’re talking about right now. It’s a terrible thing. Everyone wants money. I wanted them too. But I managed to understand that for this you need to plow like an ox, and basketball helped me with this.

JD: Speaking of basketball, is the competition between East and West Baltimore very intense in this?

Dee: Oh yes, of course. It’s all about East versus West. This is sometimes difficult to explain to people from other places. Just imagine: I do not have a single relative, even the most distant, from the eastern part. No one! (puts forward open palms, as if showing “I am clean”). nine0003

Some time ago, East Baltimore people beat their chests with their fists, believing they were the more privileged part of the city’s population.

Dee: We were mocked as kids because most of the Baltimoreans who played in the NBA were from the East: Sam Cassell, Reggie Williams, Reggie Lewis, Tyrone Bogues or now Rudy Gay. But we took revenge on them – we got Melo Anthony (Baltimore is the city that gave the most basketball players for the NBA, which does not have its own team in it – approx. Jot Down). nine0003

Carmelo Anthony is Dontay Draper’s best friend and one of the best players in the NBA. He’s the Knicks’ toughest player since Pat Ewing left. His birthplace is Brooklyn, but when he was 8 years old, his family moved to Housing Projects in West Baltimore. Melo’s first friend was Dontey Draper, who played American football in a neighboring yard. Since then they have been friends. Every summer, the two, along with Rudy Gay (“ok, he’s from the East, but from the suburbs, so let’s accept him”) and Chris Paul get together in their childhood city to bang a ball and hold a series of charity events. nine0003

On one of these visits, Melo was caught on video in the company of local drug dealers in one of the city’s haunts. The snippet was included in a video clip called Stop snitching, sponsored by the Baltimore drug mafia and circulated around the city as a kind of warning. It was in 2004.

Dee: When Melo comes to Baltimore, he is no longer an NBA star, he walks the streets of the west side like a simple city dweller. He meets up with old friends he used to play with. Although everyone understands perfectly well, becoming an NBA star, he ceased to be one of us forever. nine0003

Knicks forward remembers that 2004 lesson. But if I had forgotten, every intersection in West Baltimore had graffiti added to the stop signs to remind him of that episode.

Melo and Dee are also united by the Baltimore Ravens football club, of which they are fans. In childhood, both dreamed of a career … football players, and not about basketball at all. “Look, this is the States. The number one sport here is football. It’s followed by something else, and then the NBA.” Dee admits that in Europe he began to get involved in European football: “I’m starting to understand it. Went to the Bernabeu several times. It’s probably a little less dull than baseball.” nine0003

Despite the fact that his heart belongs to Baltimore, Dee can be considered a veteran basketball European immigrant. The list of countries where he played includes Australia, Italy, France, Belgium, Croatia and now Spain (and now also Turkey and Russia – approx. El.Orl.). After a vain attempt to gain a foothold in the NBA (in the Nuggets), he ended up in Australia (Sidney Kings), where he played in the same league with David Barlow (player of the Spanish Murcia) and Nathan Javay (known in Spain for playing for Barça and Andorra). And then there was Europe, a journey through which could be the subject of both an adventure novel and a sociological study. nine0003

The first point of the European saga was Naples.

Dee: I’ve never been to Europe before. Landed at the local airport, looked around and said to myself: “Manaaaaaa (pauses a character talking about his time in hell)! Muiiiiiiik, you got it! It will be worse than Baltimore.”

He never saw a salary there. There were wins in the preseason. Closer to the start of the season, there were promises of money that were never fulfilled. Then the president of the club appeared, saying that due to funding problems they could not enter the top division. nine0003

Dee: It was impossible to imagine a worse start in Europe. I talked to my agents and they immediately found me another club, Toulon in France. Good climate, beach… At the first practice, I pick up the ball, throw it into the basket… The coach (Alain Weiss) jumped up to me and yelled: “Who allowed you to throw???!!! Go away!!!” And kicked me out. F**k! One throw in training! I’m a calm, obedient guy. And I was wrong, there are places worse than Naples.

Draper understood the difference between anarchy and Cartesianism in Baltimore, in practice. And since then, he has become a supporter of the first rather than the second. nine0003

Dee: It was the worst period of my life. Everything was very sad, and it began to depress. The coach almost didn’t let me play. This was until the main point guard got injured. Then there was no other choice but to let me do something. Then my time per match increased to 25 minutes. Eurochallenge victories followed. But that didn’t help either. Back in the middle of the season, we agreed to terminate my contract. When victories came, he refused to let me go. But it was already too late. I went to Ostend. Belgium is so close to France, but it’s a completely different country.” nine0003

It was quite calm in Ostend, the people were more reserved than in France, a small but professional club, a lot of freedom on the court and even some money. However, there was a sharp turn in the career again, this time towards Croatia.

Dee: I love this country! Everyone speaks English. If you give them a reason to be proud of you, it will find a lively response from them. 15 spectators came to the first home match of Cedevity. I counted them. There, Cibona and Zadar were considered the main clubs. But after some time, the stands of the Drazhen Petrovich Arena began to fill up. But in this country there is one taboo topic – war, we almost never talked about it. It was better to read about it somewhere than to ask questions. nine0003

However, he learned as a child that it is best not to ask too many questions.

He was told about Spain that there was a crisis there. Sitting in a cafe at a gym in Pozuelo, a prestigious suburb of Madrid, he admits that this does not fit well in his head: “I look around and do not see any crisis. I walk around the city, along the streets – there is none. Everything is in very good order. I don’t want to compare Madrid with Baltimore, but trust me, I know what poverty is, its signs are always visible. nine0003

Every time he goes to the States, he makes sure to visit Baltimore. His mother and his aunts still live there. “I bought them a house in another quarter, more quiet, but, of course, in the western part. No East! Do you hear? In the summer, he, along with Melo Anthony, takes part in charity events in his hometown. “During these gatherings, we often have lunch together. We sit down at the table and begin to remember our childhood in the Projects, everything that we experienced then … and … ”Dontay Draper, an adult with a childish face, sighs loudly, pulls his black hat over his eyes and heads for the door. Tomorrow he will have a new day of the Madrid stage of the European adventure in a club where they play the same basketball as on the playground of his native Baltimore …

***

As an afterword, this guy was greatly missed by Real Madrid in the spring of 2014, when he was out of action due to two injuries in a row. That season could be fabulous. Blancos lacked his tenacious defense in the Milan Final Four and the 12-minute respite that the main point guards got when he entered the floor in the ACB playoffs. But his abilities are not limited to the listed functions, this player is able to give the team much more. Dee is a very decent playmaker with great individual technique. He perfectly understands how European basketball differs from that of the NBA, and what he is able to give to the teams. He is also a fighter and a very reliable partner. I would like to wish that the Russian stage of his career lay down with an “eagle”. nine0003

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