February 20, 2008
IN BRIEF: TOURISM, FILM AND THE ARTS NEWS

State approves grant for new baseball stadium

With the start of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs’ inaugural minor-league baseball season less than three months away, Governor Martin O’Malley announced that the Board of Public Works has approved a $7 million matching State grant for the design and construction of the new Southern Maryland baseball stadium.

“Working together, the State of Maryland and the residents and community leaders of Charles County are moving forward with one of the most exciting and largest economic development projects in Southern Maryland,” said Governor O’Malley. “This new stadium will generate new jobs, become a tourist attraction for our State and region, and improve the quality of life that we all enjoy as Marylanders.”

State economic development officials have estimated that baseball and other events at the Waldorf stadium – named Regency Furniture Stadium – will create at least 230 new jobs and generate an estimated $27 million annually in spending in Charles County. The stadium - which hosts the Blue Crabs' home opener May 2 - will also be a venue for concerts, community gatherings and other sporting events throughout the year.

Maryland attracts partners at group-travel show

Members of the state’s Office of Tourism, led by Executive Director Margot Amelia, met with more than 90 bus-tour operators at the American Bus Association’s (ABA) Marketplace in Virginia Beach. The number of meetings – similar to speed-dating style encounters – was close to the maximum number of sessions that could be accommodated in the event’s format.

Networking activity at the annual ABA event makes it a highly regarded occasion in the group travel industry. Approximately 3,000 people attended the week-long show. In February 2010, the ABA will bring Marketplace to the Gaylord National Harbor Resort and Conference Center in Prince George’s County.

Maryland Tourism Development Board member Sheldon Suga (pictured above), Gaylord’s vice president and general manager, welcomed ABA show participants at Virginia Beach to a luncheon hosted by the Office of Tourism and Washington, D.C., and Northern Virginia partners.

New Tourism Board members confirmed

On Monday, February 17, seven new members of the Maryland Tourism Development Board appeared before the Senate Nominations committee for official confirmation.
Shown with Office of Tourism Executive Director Margot Amelia (center) are (left to right): Michael Haynie, Terry Prather, Sheldon Suga, Khaled Said, Ms. Amelia, Kathy Sher, Peggy Maher and Andy Vick. (enlarge photo)

Mikulski advocates for heritage funding
Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), along with members of the Maryland congressional delegation, recently introduced a bill that makes the Baltimore Heritage Area (BHA) eligible for $10 million in federal funding over 15 years. The BHA could use the funds to develop educational exhibits and programming, and protect and restore historic sites. BHA includes such neighborhoods as Druid Hill Park, Fells Point, Oliver, Jonestown, Little Italy, Mount Vernon, Canton, Patterson Park, Jones Falls Valley and Locust Point.

Photographer gives boost to Eastern Shore arts community

David Harp, a former Baltimore Sun photographer who moved to the Eastern Shore and opened Chesapeake Photos in Cambridge with his wife Barbara, is a new member of the Maryland State Arts Council board.

“I’m able to bring to the Council my perspective as an owner of a small arts-related business, along with my interest in developing the arts in rural communities,” Harp said. “It takes a full range of entrepreneurial activity to create a vibrant arts community with economic impact.” Continue…

IN THE NEWS:

Inner Harbor emerges as top choice for holiday travelers
Baltimore is hot. It was the destination of choice for President’s Day travelers, according to an annual survey by Priceline.com, as cited by the Baltimore Business Journal, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor was the number three choice for holiday travelers. Washington, D.C., was number 46.

Baltimore ranks high for film production
MovieMaker magazine, a film industry publication, ranked Baltimore No. 9 on in its annual top 10 list of the best U.S. cities to live, work and make movies. The Baltimore Business Journal recently cited the survey from MovieMaker’s winter 2008 issue.

Arts generating “megamillions” in Maryland
Under the headline “Maryland's art industry generates megamillions,” the Baltimore Examiner reported on a Department of Business and Economic Development study that shows how 228 arts organizations in the state generated more than $1 billion during fiscal year 2007.

“Bucket List” offers plenty to do in state
The Cecil Whig, based in Elkton, spotlighted the Office of Tourism’s “Bucket List,” a whimsical list of things to do or see in Maryland before “kicking the bucket.” It was inspired by the current movie, “The Bucket List,” in which Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson compile their own list of things to do before they die.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Craft show returns to Baltimore this weekend
About 750 of the nation’s top contemporary artists will display their handcrafted work at the 2008 American Craft Show in Baltimore this weekend on February 22-24. The event, held at the Baltimore Convention Center, is the largest juried, indoor craft show in the nation. Approximately, 20,000 people are expected to attend.

Adkins Arboretum presents new art exhibition
Discover the Wild Landscapes of the Coastal Plain, an exhibition of paintings, photographs, ceramics and sculpture created by 22 artists, is on view through March 28 at the Adkins Arboretum in Caroline County. The public is invited to a reception for the show, Sat., February 23, 3 to 5 p.m. For gallery hours, call 410-634-2847. Adkins Arboretum is located at 12610 Eveland Rd., near Tuckahoe State Park, in Ridgely.

Wine expert to discuss Maryland wine industry
Kevin Atticks, director of the Maryland Wineries Association, will speak about the Maryland wine industry – its history and its future – at a tasting event hosted by the Baltimore Museum of Industry, Wed., March 12, 6 to 8 p.m. Atticks is the host of 91.5-FM WBJC's “Word on Wine” and the producer of Discovering Maryland Wineries, a tour guide to state wineries. For ticket information, call Lori Finkelstein at the museum, 410-727-4808.

“ Hi-De-Ho” man celebrated at Towson University

An exhibit that depicts the life of jazz musician Cab Calloway – “Hi-De-Ho Zoot Suiter from Baltimore” is on display at the African American Cultural Center of Towson University until March 14. Sponsored in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, the show includes artifacts from the musician’s life, including one of his zoot suits, and celebrates the 100th-plus one anniversary of his birth. The Black/Jewish Forum of Baltimore, Inc. produced the exhibit.

 

Maritime museum launches archaeology series
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels will host a series of Wednesday afternoon presentations in March that focus on archaeology. A special kick-off lecture, March 5, at 7 p.m., features Dr. Don Shomette, an underwater archaeologist and author of the recently published Shipwrecks, Sea Raiders, and Maritime Disasters along the Delmarva Coast.