Hello Towson,
“There is nothing they admire so much as strength, and there is nothing for which they have less respect than for weakness, especially military weakness.”
- Winston Churchill delivered his “Sinews of Peace” (“Iron Curtain”) speech 80 years ago today, on March 5, 1946, at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, USA.
In this week’s Towson Torch:
All Time Low Joins Ocean Calling
Guest Contributor Cal Bowman on AI Upskilling
Our most comprehensive guide to this weekend
Good Things Happen Here
TOGETHER WITH:
Keeps You Happy with Food & Entertainment
Local News
🎸 Towson’s All Time Low Joins Oceans Calling Music Festival 2026 Lineup
Towson’s native Zack Merrick, Bass Player for the Band All Time Low
(photo credit Mark Merrick via Facebook)
Towson’s own All Time Low is bringing a hometown spirit to the 2026 Oceans Calling Festival in Ocean City, Maryland. The chart-topping pop-punk band, formed by friends at Towson High School, joins this year’s star-studded lineup for the three-day beachfront event that celebrates live music, local food, and coastal culture. Known for anthems like “Dear Maria, Count Me In” and their energetic performances, All Time Low’s return to a Maryland stage is sure to draw massive crowds from across the region. The festival, set for late September on the Ocean City Boardwalk, features multiple stages and performances from top national and local acts. For fans, it’s a rare chance to see Baltimore County’s breakout band perform on home turf with the Atlantic as their backdrop. Tickets and full lineup details are available now through the official Oceans Calling Festival website.
🛟 Dr Sonny Goel Gives Back to GBMCm Helping Relocate
Department of Ophthalmology
For Sonny Goel, MD, vision has always been more than the ability to see clearly; it is independence, confidence, and connection. Those values reflect not only the work he does each day as a leading ophthalmologist in Baltimore County but also his decision to support GBMC’s plan to relocate the Department of Ophthalmology to the second floor of the Founders Building, formerly PPW, creating a new patient-centered space.
- Read More
🇺🇸 Join the Towson Elks for the Tunnel Towers to Stairs Climb
in Towson on April 26th
Join the Towson Elks and the Towson community for the Tunnel to Towers Stair Climb at Johnny Unitas Stadium on Sunday, April 26, 2026, from 9–11 a.m.! Push yourself by climbing stadium stairs, take a lap on the track, or simply come out to cheer on participants. This powerful event honors the legacy of FDNY firefighter Stephen Siller, all those lost on September 11, and the first responders and military heroes who continue to serve today. Join the team being formulated by the Towson Elks and
gather your friends, family, or coworkers to be part of something meaningful.
Learn more and register at climbtowson.t2t.org.
🐶 Former Towson Walmart to Host Mega Pet Adoption Event
The empty big-box store at Towson Place Shopping Center will soon be filled with wagging tails and hopeful adopters as local animal shelters transform the former Walmart into a large-scale pet adoption event.
On Sunday, March 15, from 12 to 4 p.m., the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) will host “Find Your Lucky Charm,” a multi-shelter mega adoption event sponsored by Petco Love. - Read More
Greater Baltimore News
Baltimore County Retains “Triple-A” Bond Rating
Baltimore County has maintained its Triple-A bond ratings from all three major rating agencies for the 31st consecutive year. This achievement enables the County to continue issuing bonds at the lowest possible interest rates, saving millions of dollars for taxpayers. -Read more
Waymo seeks state approval to operate driverless cars in Baltimore
March 4, 2026
Waymo wants to operate in Baltimore, with the company emphasizing safety as it seeks legislative approval. According to company officials, the vehicles are involved in 90% fewer serious injury crashes than human drivers. The driverless car obeys all the rules of the road, it always drives the speed limit, always stops at red lights and can even read traffic signs.
Workforce Development Series
The High Ceiling: Why AI "Upskilling" is a Human Expansion Project
Guest Contributor: Cal Bowman
Cal Bowman is a Towson-based strategist, consultant, and Start-up mentor working at the intersection of innovation, public leadership, and workforce growth. He writes Present Tense, a publication exploring clarity, courage, becoming, and the design of better systems.
A few years ago, during a family vacation to San Francisco, my kids stood on a street corner near the Wharf, watching a Waymo glide past. They were horrified. “I would never get in a self-driving car,” one of them said. “That’s way too scary.”
I looked at the car, then back at the chaotic swarm of distracted human drivers around us, and told them: “The car doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to be better than us. And frankly, that’s a pretty low bar.”
But here’s the problem: when we apply that same “low bar” logic to AI in the workplace, we shrink ourselves. - Read Article
The Towson Torch Hosts the Towson Growth Summit
Happening This Weekend
Its been a minute since we did a comprehensive round up of weekend events,
so here you go!
Friday, March 6
🎳 The Big Lebowski Dude Trivia Night
📅 Friday, March 6, 2026 – 5:00 PM
📍The Point in Towson, 523 York Road, Towson, MD
Iconic Big Lebowski–themed trivia night in Towson for fans of the cult classic.
tickets/info
🏀 Friday Night Lights: Ultimate Pick-Up Basketball Tournament
📅 Friday, March 6, 2026 – 6:00 PM
📍PickUp USA Fitness Towson, 8855 Orchard Tree Lane, Towson, MD
Organized, refereed pick-up basketball with fast-paced games and real competition.
tickets/info
🎸 Legion of Jerry VII – Celebrating Jerry Garcia
📅 Friday, March 6, 2026 – 6:30 PM (doors), 7:30 PM (show)
📍The Recher, 512 York Road, Towson, MD 21204
Jerry Garcia tribute night featuring Better Off Dead and The Jerry Tripsters.
Link for tickets/more information
⚽️ Baltimore Blast vs. Utica City FC
📅 Friday, March 6, 2026 – 7:30 PM
📍SECU Arena, Towson, MD
High-energy indoor soccer as Baltimore Blast hosts Utica City FC.
Link for tickets/more information
⚽️ Utica City FC at Baltimore Blast at SECU Arena
📅 Friday, March 6, 2026 – 7:30 PM
📍SECU Arena, 8000 York Rd, Towson, MD 21252
Another listing for the Utica City FC at Baltimore Blast indoor soccer showdown.
Link for tickets/more information
🏀 Towson Tigers Women's Basketball vs. Drexel Dragons
📅 Friday, March 6, 2026 – 7:00 PM
📍TU Arena at Towson University, 8000 York Rd, Towson, MD
Division I women’s basketball matchup between Towson and Drexel.
Link for tickets/more information
🎙️Open Mic Night
📅 Friday, March 6, 2026 – 6:00 PM
📍CVP Towson, 19 West Pennsylvania Avenue, Towson, MD
Monthly open mic night for music, comedy, and spoken word.
Link for tickets/more information
🎸 Towson Elks Duo
📅 Friday, March 6, 2026 – 7:00 PM
📍Towson Elks #469, 4 W Pennsylvania Ave, Towson, MD
Live acoustic set from the Lenny and Brian Duo.
Link for tickets/more information
Saturday, March 7
⚽️ Utica City FC at Baltimore Blast
📅 Saturday, March 7, 2026 – Onwards
SECU Arena, 8000 York Road, Towson, MD 21252
Ongoing Utica City FC at Baltimore Blast event listing at SECU Arena.
tickets/info
🎸I See Stars Spin The Wheel Tour
📅 Saturday, March 7, 2026 – 7:00 PM
The Recher, 512 York Road, Towson, MD 21204
I See Stars with MOTHICA, Until I Wake, and DIAMANTE on the Spin The Wheel Tour.
tickets/ info
🎸DIAMANTE in Towson
📅 Saturday, March 7, 2026 – 7:00 PM
The Recher, Towson, MD
Rock vocalist DIAMANTE live with high-energy hits.
tickets/info
👑 Beyoncé vs. Lady Gaga Drag Brunch
📅 Saturday, March 7, 2026 – 12:00 PM
Zen West Roadside Cantina, 5916 York Rd, Baltimore, MD 21212
Drag brunch showdown featuring Beyoncé and Lady Gaga–inspired performances.
tickets/info
🧑🏽🎨Free Kids Event: Sensory Explorers Feat. Crazy Aaron’s Putty
📅 Saturday, March 7, 2026 – 11:00 AM
📍Lakeshore Learning Store, 1620 East Joppa Road, Towson, MD
Free sensory play event for ages 3+ featuring Crazy Aaron’s Putty.
tickets/ info
🐶 Pet ER's Skills Seminar: The Tech's Essential Tune-Up
📅 Saturday, March 7, 2026 – 12:00 PM
Haven Coworking, 200 Washington Avenue, Towson, MD
Free CE seminar to sharpen veterinary ER technician skills.
tickets/ info
🎸Live Music: The Barnstormers
📅 Saturday, March 7, 2026 – 5:00 PM
Charles Village Pub, Patio & Rooftop, 19 W Pennsylvania Ave, Towson, MD
Live party tunes with The Barnstormers at Charles Village Pub.
tickets/info
👩🏻🏫 Pinewood Elementary Teacher Appreciation
📅 Saturday, March 7, 2026 – 6:00 PM
📍Charles Village Pub & Patio Towson, 19 W Pennsylvania Ave, Towson, MD
Ticketed gathering to celebrate and thank Pinewood Elementary teachers.
Ltickets/ info
Sunday, March 8
🎸Katatonia in Towson
📅 Sunday, March 8, 2026 – 7:00 PM
The Recher, Towson, MD
The Ultimate Katatonia Experience live at The Recher.
tickets/info
🎸 I See Stars
📅 Sunday, March 8, 2026 – 12:00 AM
The Recher, 512 York Rd, Towson, MD 21204
Late-night I See Stars show at The Recher.
tickets/info
Weekend Weather
Thursday
67 🌡️ 45 | ⛅️
Friday
46 🌡️ 40 | ⛅️
Saturday
58🌡️ 39 | ⛅️
Sunday
59🌡️ 51 | ☁️
THANK YOU!
Thank you for reading Towson Torch today!
If you enjoyed it and please share/forward to a friend.
With Gratitude,
Chris
