Last week, we shared news about the expansion of Baltimore’s “Buy Back the Block” program; discussions about what should replace the former Christopher Columbus statue in Little Italy; and an announcement about “The Phantom of the Opera” touring production launching from Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre.Revisit the stories here:Most Popular:Photo credit: Phylicia Ghee“‘Buy Back the Block’ expanding to more than 120 neighborhoods in Baltimore“: Live Baltimore’s “Buy Back the Block” program has expanded to take the program from 15 neighborhoods to 120+ neighborhoods in Baltimore.Inner Harbor tourists look through a fence at the empty pedestal that supported the 1984 statue of Christopher Columbus. Photo by Ed Gunts.“What should replace Baltimore’s Christopher Columbus statue? Ideas abound and memories linger.“: During a meeting of the Little Italy Neighborhood Association this month, residents and leaders discussed what should replace Baltimore’s Christopher Columbus statue, which protesters tore down and dumped into the Inner Harbor in 2020.A rendering depicts preliminary design for a new Center for Learning proposed to replace the University of Baltimore’s Academic Center at Charles Street and Mount Royal Avenue. Credit: University of Baltimore.“University of Baltimore gains key approval to build new ‘Center for Learning’ on its midtown campus“: A plan by the University of Baltimore to build a new “Center for Learning” cleared a key hurdle on Wednesday when a committee of the University System of Maryland Board of Regents approved a 10-Year Facilities Master Plan for the midtown campus.117 Upnor Road“Hot House: Double the Home(land), double the majesty.“: Two stone houses with Palmer & Lamdin architecture in Baltimore’s Homeland neighborhood are each breathtaking inside and out.Lacks’ family members at groundbreaking ceremony. Screenshot from WBAL-TV 11 YouTube channel.“Henrietta Lacks’ family breaks ground on Hopkins building that will bear her name“: Descendants of Henrietta Lacks, the Black Baltimore County woman whose cancer cells were used without her consent for scientific research, gathered Monday to break ground on a Johns Hopkins building that will bear her name and will support bioethics and medical education.Editor’s Picks:The characters Christine Daaé and the Phantom perform the song “Floating, Falling” in the musical “The Phantom of the Opera.” A new touring production of the show will launch from Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre in November 2025. Courtesy photo.““A phenomenal win”: New touring production of The Phantom of the Opera to launch at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre in November 2025“: A new national touring production of “The Phantom of the Opera” will launch at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre in November 2025.Show art for “Choose Your Own Election” by KAL.“‘Choose Your Own Election’ improv show lets audience drive the storyline“: In a “Choose Your Own Election” improv comedy show, audience members picked the candidates, the political parties, the city, and the lowest level of political office they could imagine. The show was performed in Baltimore for one night only on Friday.Comedian Mike Birbiglia will perform at Baltimore Center Stage on Feb. 4 and 5, 2025. Photo credit: Jesse Austin.“Comedian Mike Birbiglia to perform in Baltimore on Feb. 4 and 5“: Tickets to comedian Mike Birbiglia’s Baltimore shows next year went on sale for the public last week.Pumpkins at the drop off table. Pumpkin Smash at Maryland Science Center, Baltimore, Maryland. (Credit: Carl Schmidt/Federal Hill Photography, LLC)“Mark Your Calendars: November 2024 Events“: From the Maryland Irish Festival turning 50, to the Inner Harbor Christmas Village opening for the holiday season, check out these November events.At the site of the SNF Agora Institute, a construction fence has been updated to say “OPENING 2025.” Photo by Ed Gunts.“Johns Hopkins’ SNF Agora Institute won’t open this year as expected, officials say“: Originally supposed to be ready to occupy this fall, the new home of the Johns Hopkins University’s Stavros Niarchos Foundation Agora Institute is now slated to open in 2025.