IN BRIEF: TOURISM, FILM AND THE ARTS NEWS

Hot off the press: Maryland's African-American Heritage Guide
Now available, Maryland's African-American Heritage Guide introduces Marylanders to the African-American experience — the endeavors, accomplishments and sacrifices — past and present, that have shaped both a culture and a state. Included in the guide is information on tourist destinations through the stories of Maryland African-Americans Frederick Douglass, Mother Lange, Billie Holiday, Eubie Blake, Benjamin Banneker, Thurgood Marshall, and many others. To request copies, contact Brenda Lee at blee@choosemaryland.org.

Bill Pencek joins Office of Tourism Development team
Assistant Secretary Hannah Byron is pleased to announce that Bill Pencek has joined the Office of Tourism Development team. As Director of Cultural and Heritage Tourism, Bill will also serve as the Executive Director of the War of 1812 Commission. A former director of the Baltimore City Heritage Authority and past deputy director of the Maryland Historical Trust, Bill is charged with marketing Maryland’s rich cultural heritage and historic attractions.

Governor O'Malley announces $12.8 million to support arts community
Thanks to Governor Martin O'Malley's commitment to an increase of $846,398 for Maryland State Arts Council FY 08 grants for the arts in Maryland. The Governor confirmed the value of the arts by approving more than $12.8 million in grants for operating support for nonprofit arts organizations and county arts councils. Additional funds will support programs such as Arts & Entertainment Districts, Maryland Traditions and the Individual Artists Awards. On the Net: Maryland State Arts Council.

Howard County Government receives national recognition for the arts
Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America, in conjunction with the National Association of Counties (NACo), presented the 2007 Public Leadership in the Arts Award to County Executive Ken Ulman on behalf of Howard County Government on Monday, July 16, at NACo’s annual summer conference in Richmond, Va. On the Net: Howard County News Release.

Filming in Maryland steps up
The Maryland Film Office is working with the Disney feature film "Step Up 2" — which began filming on July 30 — to scout locations and any other needs the film may have. Production also continues on the independent feature thriller "From Within," which is shooting primarily in Harford and Cecil counties. The fifth and final season of the HBO television series "The Wire" is also in production and will film until approximately August 31.

IN THE NEWS

Cumberland makes small city arts list
Cumberland 's Arts & Entertainment District has received another boost. Readers of AmericanStyle magazine ranked the city as the 21st top small city arts destination in a recent readers' poll. Cumberland fills the slot that Annapolis held last year. The state's capital moved up seven in this year's poll to No. 14.

Refreshing Cambridge
Ambling along, admiring the majestic old houses on tree-shaded High Street in Cambridge, Maryland, one can't help but wonder: What took this pretty waterfront village so long to catch on?

'B' for boutique in B&O
In an area emerging as a hub of boutique and small hotels, a Hotel Monaco is slated to open by 2009 in downtown Baltimore's historic B&O Building at Charles and Baltimore streets, part of a $60 million project by Philadelphia-based ARCWheeler.

Dead on
Some half-dozen homes on the grounds of the Perry Point Veterans Affairs Hospital in Cecil County, empty since at least 2004, are being used as sets for the horror-thriller "From Within." The filmmakers, who have been shooting in and around Havre de Grace since July 10, are ecstatic. Tree-lined ghost towns are not easy to find.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Maryland State Arts Council FY2008 grants deadlines

• Arts in Communities Grants: September 19, 2007; January 16, 2008
• Community Arts Development/Technical Assistance Grants: October 17, 2007, February 21, 2008
• Community Arts Development NEA/Challenge America: August 15, 2007, October 25, 2007, February 15, 2008
• Grants for Organizations/Technical Assistance Grants: August 16, 2007; October 18, 2007; February 7, 2008
• Grants for Organizations: October 11, 2007
  
  More grants information

Events on the horizon

Welcome to Sowebo art exhibit, Baltimore, through August 18
Little Italy Film Festival, Baltimore, Fridays through August 31
Art Walk, Annapolis, August 16
Carline Sumomerfest, Denton, August 17 - August 18
Maryland State Fair, Timonium, August 24 - September 3
Maryland Renaissance Festival, Crownsville, August 25 - October 21
Motocross of Nations, St. Mary’s, September 22 - 23