IN BRIEF: TOURISM, FILM AND THE ARTS NEWS

Office of Tourism Development welcomes new research manager
Margot Amelia, the executive director of the Office of Tourism Development, welcomes Rebecca Dougherty as the new research manager. Rebecca joins us from a research position with the Center for Disabilities Studies at the University of Delaware. She has conducted policy research for the Delaware Governor’s Commission on Community-based Alternatives for Persons with Disabilities, evaluated Delaware’s social service programs and served as assistant director of the Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation in Washington, D.C. Rebecca has a master's degree in urban affairs and public policy from the University of Delaware and a bachelor's degree in public relations from Towson University. She can be reached at 410-767-6285 or rdougherty@visitmaryland.org.


MSAC celebrates 40 years by showcasing 40 artists
Join the Maryland States Arts Council in its James Backas Gallery on September 28 from 5 - 8 p.m. for the opening reception of the exhibit "Celebrating 40 Years - Showcasing 40 Artists." The exhibit features the work of 40 artists who have been associated with MSAC over the years. A gallery talk by the curator, Oletha DeVane, will begin at 6:30 p.m. Meet the artists and enjoy live music and refreshments. The show runs through December 19, 2007. On the Net: Maryland States Arts Council.

Governor O'Malley presents Governor's Cup; promotes Maryland Wine Festival
Governor Martin O’Malley on September 10 awarded Robert Deford, owner and manager of Boordy Vineyards and winner of Maryland’s 2007 wine competition, with the Governor’s Cup for their 2006 Vidal Blanc. During his remarks, Governor O’Malley discussed the importance of the wine industry for the state’s economy, vowed his strong commitment to supporting the growing industry, and promoted Maryland’s annual wine festival, which was held September 15 -16 in Carroll County. On the Net: Governor's Office; Maryland Wine Festival

Governor announces Executive Order to commemorate War of 1812
Governor Martin O'Malley issued an Executive Order on September 8, creating the Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission to plan a multi-year cultural tourism and educational initiative to commemorate Maryland’s unique contributions to the defense and heritage of the nation. The announcement was made as part of the annual Defender’s Weekend activities at Fort McHenry, the 193rd anniversary of the successful defense of the city from British attack. For more information on the commission and the bicentennial planning, contact bpencek@choosemaryland.org. On the Net: Governor's Office Press Release; Executive Order

Production wraps for "The Wire"
Production wrapped on the final episode of the fifth and final season of the HBO television series, "The Wire" on Saturday, September 1. Everyone associated with this award-winning production will be missed, as well as the economic impact the series had on the city and the state. The final season is scheduled to begin airing on HBO after the first of the year.

Maryland House Ways and Means Committee visits set of Disney's "Step Up 2"
On September 12, the House Ways and Means Committee visited a warehouse that served as the set for an underground dance club for Disney’s "Step Up 2." After watching the filming and meeting Director Jon Chu and the crew, Chairman Sheila Hixson and committee members were briefed on the importance of film production incentives by DBED staff, Producer David Nicksay of "Step Up 2," and representatives of the unions and guilds whose members work in front of and behind the camera.

IN THE NEWS

Giving Artists Space to Create
Maryland is also seeking to attract artists through its Arts and Entertainment District program, which gives tax breaks to developers and to artists for work created and sold within the arts district. Designated Arts and Entertainment Districts must either already have affordable housing units or a plan to develop affordable housing. So far, the state has established 15 such districts, in such places as Hyattsville, Bethesda, Frederick, Hagerstown, Silver Spring and Wheaton. (Washington Post; September 15)

High-End Rustic on a Plateau in the Alleghenies
Washingtonians of means tend to buy their second homes at the seashore. But increasingly they are heading to Deep Creek Lake, a mountain resort region in the Allegheny Mountains of far western Maryland for relief from traditional urban stress, humidity and Washington’s own particular brand of political ennui. (New York Times; September 14)

Letter to the Editor: O'Malley administration supports Md. film industry
The Daily Record’s article “Wrap for The Wire means end for jobs” on Sept. 4 may have left your readers with the impression that Gov. Martin O’Malley and the state of Maryland are not aggressively engaged in promoting and supporting Maryland’s film industry. I want to take this opportunity to correct that misinterpretation and present some important facts. (Daily Record; September 14)

Baltimore: Shifting from an Industrial Region to a Creative Region
Zoltan Acs from George Mason University and Monika Megyesi from the University of Baltimore compared the metro Baltimore region to seven other similar regions with a strong industrial heritage. In Creativity and Industrial Cities: A Case Study of Baltimore, the authors rank the Baltimore metropolitan statistical area first among Chicago, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and St. Louis in an overall creativity index. Of all metropolitan areas in the U.S. with populations greater than one million, Baltimore placed 17th with its creative index score, and the authors claim Baltimore is “the first industrial city to begin a turnaround.”

City aims to catch culinary gravy train
Would you drive hundreds of miles for a slice of Matthew's stuffed pizza? Would you hop a plane if a Faidley's crab cake were waiting on the other side? How about building a vacation around the red-sauced enclave of Little Italy - sound reasonable? Local tourism officials think so. (Baltimore Sun; September 15)

Wine festival draws veterans, newcomers
Veterans and newcomers packed the grounds of the Carroll County Farm Museum Saturday for the 24th Annual Maryland Wine Festival. “This is amazing. They just keep coming,” said Farm Museum Administrator Dottie Freeman. (Carroll County Times; September 17)

Yes, that was Russell Crowe in Annapolis
Yesterday, while Russell Crowe was winning his best set of reviews in years for his tour-de-force villainy in 3:10 to Yuma, he was also playing a soccer dad in Annapolis. It was his first day of shooting on the international espionage thriller Body of Lies, and Crowe was doing two scenes at St. Andrew's United Methodist Day School: easing into the carpool area and watching one of his two fictional kids play soccer. (Baltimore Sun; September 8)

EVENTS CALENDAR

Last chance for grants information session
The Maryland State Arts Council is offering its final grants information session at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on September 24 for Maryland non-profit organizations that produce or present arts programming and arts activities. The session will provide general overviews and advice on eligibility for the Arts in Communities (AiC) Program, ArtVantage Program, and Grants for Organizations (GFO) Program. On the Net: Maryland States Arts Council.

Marketing Calendar
Maryland Tourism's Sales Team prepares to hit the road. Upcoming marketing opportunities:

• MSTA Convention
  OTD will purchase booth space at the Maryland State Teachers Association (MSTA) Convention. The convention will be held in the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City on October 19 - 20, 2007. As part of the convention, MSTA has a trade show for the 1,500+ teachers in attendance.
• Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association
  The Greater New Jersey Motorcoach Association (GNJMA) will be holding their group leader show on Tuesday, November 27, at Trump's Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. This will be the third year for this event. An estimated 700 group leaders are expected to attend.

Please contact Rich Gilbert with any questions regarding the sales and marketing opportunities at 410-767-6288 or rgilbert@mdwelcome.org.


Events on the horizon

Maryland Renaissance Festival, Crownsville, Through October 21
St. Mary's County Fair, Leonardtown, September 20 - 23
Sunfest, Ocean City, September 20 - 23
Quilts on the Line; Sidewalk Art Fest, Snow Hill, September 22
Motocross of Nations, St. Mary’s, September 22 and 23
Baltimore Book Festival, Baltimore, September 28-30
Maryland Governor's Tourism Industry Conference, Solomons Island, Nov. 14 -16