 |
|
|
Gov. Martin O'Malley announced last week that the Board of Public Works has authorized a $2.2 million design contract for the proposed Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park in Dorchester County. The 17-acre park – being developed by the Maryland Departments of Natural Resources and Business and Economic Development, along with Dorchester County – will include a visitor center, memorial garden, exhibits and trails. It is expected to open by 2013, when a commemoration of Tubman's life is planned by the state to mark the 100th anniversary of her death. The park will be a "green" facility, built in accordance with environmentally sustainable principles. Tubman was born in Dorchester County. She spent the first 29 years of her life there as a slave. After she escaped, she returned to the region to ferry slaves out of Maryland during the years leading up to the Civil War. Federal legislation was introduced last summer to create a Harriet Tubman National Historical Park in Maryland that would occupy land in Dorchester, Caroline and Talbot counties. The National Park Service would partner with Maryland to establish that park. State assembling online resource guide for sports venues The Maryland Office of Sports Marketing is developing the state's first online resource guide to public and private sports venues in Maryland. This directory, which will include comprehensive facility information, is an important element of the state's bid to host more amateur, collegiate and professional sporting events. "Our ultimate goal is to provide event rights' holders of key sporting events with an overview of Maryland's abundant sporting resources," said Terry Hasseltine, director of the sports marketing office. "Given Maryland's rich sports culture, we anticipate featuring more than 500 venues." Eligible organizations – colleges/universities, public/private recreational facilities, specialty venues and professional stadiums – can join in this cooperative marketing effort for free by completing a facility profile online no later than Thursday, Feb. 17. This facility directory will be a cornerstone of the Maryland sports web site, which is to be launched in the spring. For information or assistance, contact Ashley Cottrell by e-mail or call 410-767-1406. Maryland high school students will perform recitations of prominent poems during the 2009 Maryland Poetry Out Loud National Recitation State Finals at Center Stage in Baltimore, Feb. 21 at 1 p.m. The public is invited to attend. The Maryland State Arts Council conducts the state contest in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and the Poetry Foundation. According to the Poetry Out Loud web site, the competition represents" the dynamic aspects of slam poetry, spoken word, and theater." This year, Maryland's contest was open to students in grades 11 and 12 in all Maryland schools, both public and private. Twenty-six schools in nine counties participated, and competitions were held at each school this past fall. County competitions were completed in January. The Maryland champion receives an all-expense paid trip to compete in the national finals, April 26-28, in Washington, D.C. Contact Chris Stewart at the Arts Council, 410-676-6476, for information. Tourism Office, partners pitch outdoor activities at regional show
The annual show is among the largest consumer events of its kind in North America. It attracts outdoor enthusiasts from across the mid-Atlantic region. In addition to seeing what's new in hunting, fishing and camping products, attendees come to the show to plan outdoor-sport and camping vacations. "By partnering with a variety of county tourism offices, we can offer a wide range of sporting and recreational opportunities to consumers," says Rich Gilbert, senior manager for sales and marketing at the Maryland Tourism Office. New album by Maryland Traditions artist among best of 2008 McComiskey, says national music critic Earl Hitchner, is "Irish America's premier B/C button accordionist." The new album is McComiskey's first solo release in 27 years. The award-winning musician was profiled in the Arts Council's fall newsletter. Maryland Traditions is a cooperative program of the Arts Council and the Maryland Historical Trust, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts folk arts initiative.
Bershon moved with her husband from Chevy Chase to Leonardtown in Southern Maryland about a dozen years ago. Her husband, who had a periodontal practice in downtown Washington, D.C., and Charles and St. Mary's counties, suggested the move. In Chevy Chase, they were accustomed to attending a variety of performing arts events just beyond their doorstep. Southern Maryland would be a different story.
December Monitor offers statistical report
ABA spotlights four Maryland events among ‘top 100' The American Bus Association named four Maryland-related events among its list of the top events for 2009 in North America. These events include: Preakness Festival, a week-long celebration that leads up to the Triple Crown race at Baltimore's Pimlico Race Course, May 18; the 30th annual Seafood Feast-I-Val at Sailwinds Park in Cambridge, Aug. 8; and the Ocean City Winterfest of Lights, “thousands of twinkling lights on hundreds of animated displays,” Nov. 19-Jan. 2. Also, the John Brown Sesquicentennial, April 18 – Dec. 18, which features a re-creation of the famous abolitionist's march from his headquarters in Washington County through the town of Frederick en route to his raid on Harpers Ferry in what was then Virginia. Numerous programs and events will lead up to the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. Advocate for the arts in Annapolis, Feb. 10
Arts Council offers links to ‘Economic Crisis' resources BACVA plans economics discussion of tourism industry, Feb. 24 Annapolis museum marks silver anniversary Southern Maryland FAM tour set for Welcome Center group Maryland State Arts Council grants: Attention stewards of Maryland cultural heritage resources: National Scenic Byways Program Funding Maryland Heritage Areas Authority Maryland Historical Trust Preserve America Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network Save America's Treasures
|
