Baltimore gussies up a theaterBaltimore raised the...

Baltimore gussies up a theater

Baltimore raised the curtain this month on a $63-million renovation of the downtown Hippodrome Theatre, a 1914 vaudeville venue and movie house transformed into a 2,286-seat performing arts center.

The Eutaw Street landmark opened as an elaborately decorated space with an Art Nouveau-style painted curtain and a mural of Athena above a gilded proscenium arch.

Much of the original decor was restored or re-created from historic photographs.

Work on the theater, part of the new France-Merrick Performing Arts Center, began in 2002. Its developers, Clear Channel Entertainment, the Hippodrome Foundation and the Maryland Stadium Authority, see the project as a catalyst for redevelopment of Baltimore’s west side. (410) 837-7400, www.france-merrickpac.com.

Norwalk-like virus cited

Health officials suspect a Norwalk-like virus caused a gastrointestinal illness afflicting more than 300 passengers and crew aboard the Carnival Cruise Line’s ship Celebration this month as it sailed between Galveston, Texas, and Mexico.

Testing is continuing, but as of the Travel section’s deadline Tuesday, Norwalk-like norovirus was the most likely culprit in the outbreak, which sickened 21% of those on board.

Norovirus can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, fever and chills. Most people recover in one to two days, but the very young and the elderly are more vulnerable. The virus can be spread by consuming contaminated food or drink, by touching contaminated surfaces and then placing fingers in one’s mouth, or by coming into close contact while caring for someone ill, according to the CDC.

Sick passengers returned to Galveston Feb. 14, and after rigorous sanitizing, the Celebration set sail the same day on a five-day cruise to Mexico, said Jennifer de la Cruz, a Carnival spokeswoman. Ship officials are reporting daily to the CDC.

--Kathleen Doheny

Immortal

block heads

Abraham Lincoln, Salvador Dali and Marilyn Monroe came to Legoland California last weekend as the Carlsbad theme park opened its Block of Fame, a collection of familiar faces depicted in Lego bricks.

Twelve busts of historical and popular figures line the Block of Fame. There are re-creations of 24 art masterpieces, including Auguste Rodin’s “The Thinker” and Grant Wood’s “American Gothic.”

Legoland plans to open several new attractions by summer. General adult admission is $41.95; children 3 to 12 and seniors 60 and older are $35.95. (760) 918-5346, www.legoland.com.

-- Compiled by Times staff