Charmed Life - Softcover

“Charmed Life” became a regular City Paper feature in 1998 after contributing writers Tom Chalkley and Charles Cohen--independent of each other--pitched editor Andy Markowitz ideas for columns of local lore. Added to the mix was Brennen Jensen, giving the column a common vision with different voices. “Baltimore is a city that is exceedingly fond of its eccentricities, considers them an integral part of its civic identity, reveres authenticity over flash, and looks upon its funky nooks and crannies with affection bordering on reverence. That’s why we started ‘Charmed Life,’” said Markowitz, who served as the book’s editor. With three distinct perspectives at their disposable, Markowitz said, the column’s scope widened beyond Baltimore “secret history” to include a variety of forgotten treasures past and present--history, people, places, things.

Tom Chalkley is a contributing writer and freelance illustrator and cartoonist. He has been writing and drawing for City Paper since 1979 and lives in the Beverly Hills neighborhood with his wife and their two daughters. Charles Cohen is also a contributing writer and freelance journalist, scavenging for stories others miss or leave behind. He writes for several publications and lives in Fells Point with his wife. Brennen Jensen is a staff writer and Baltimore buff, who is somewhat embarrassed to admit that he was raised in the D.C.-burb of Silver Spring. Since 1986 he has lived in a series of crumbling Charles Village rowhouses.