Safety Zone Established on Patapsco for Baltimore's New Year's Eve Celebration

     Baltimore, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display in Baltimore, Maryland is scheduled to occur on Saturday, December 31, at midnight (rain date January 1 at 7 p.m.). As described in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations Part 100.506, the following two temporary safety zones will be established on the Patapsco River:

1. within a 100-yard radius of the fireworks barge in approximate position latitude 39° 17′ 03″ N, longitude 076° 36′ 36″ W, located in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, approximately 150 yards southeast of Pier 1; and

2. within a 250-yard radius of the fireworks barge in approximate position latitude 39° 16′ 37″ N, longitude 076° 35′ 54″ W, at the western end of Northwest Harbor (Western Section).

     These safety zones will be enforced from 11 p.m. on December 31, 2011 through 1 a.m. on January 1, 2012 for a fireworks display scheduled at midnight (and if necessary due to inclement weather will be enforced from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on January 1, 2012 for a fireworks display scheduled for 7 p.m.).

     The fireworks barges will have a sign on port and starboard sides labeled FIREWORKS--DANGER--STAY AWAY to provide on scene notice that the safety zones will be enforced. Vessels may not enter, remain in, or transit through the safety zones during the enforcement period unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or designated Coast Guard patrol personnel on scene. Other Federal, State and local agencies may assist these personnel in the enforcement of the safety zones. For any comments or questions contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674, (410) 576-2693 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Chart 12281.

Chesapeake Bay Sea Glass Talk at Calvert Marine Museum

 Solomons, Md. -- Richard LaMotte, recognized sea glass expert and author of Pure Sea Glass, returns to the Calvert Marine Museum on Sunday, January 15 at 2 p.m. Bring your own sea glass for identification and learn everything you want to know about these treasures. Jewelry artists will be on hand with their handcrafted sea glass creations and the museum store will feature many new sea glass pieces available for purchase.
     Sea glass is glass that is found on beaches along oceans or large lakes that has been tumbled and smoothed by the water and sand into smooth frosted glass. "A lot of its attraction is nostalgia--wondering what it is and where it came from," said LaMotte. His book, with its beautiful photographs, presents some of the best sea glass ever collected.
     A limited number of pre-released copies of Sea Glass Hearts, by author/artist Josie Iselin will also be available.
     Jay Norris of Owings, Maryland will be on hand to share his hobby of creating colorful driftwood framed art out of his sea glass collection. Spending his life on the Chesapeake Bay collecting sea glass and shark's teeth, see how this hobby has turned pieces of frosted colored glass into amazing creations.
     Sunday Conversations with Chesapeake Authors Series is funded by The Patuxent Partnership with support from the Holiday Inn Solomons. Sunday Conversations are free events and will also be hosted on February 19 and March 25 at 2 p.m. at the museum.

Fall Folliage Paddle Planned for the Sassafras Nov. 6

     Kennedyville, Md. -- The Sassafras River Association is inviting paddlers to participate in an Autumn Paddle on Sunday, Nov. 6 from 9 a.m. to noon. The event will begin and end at Turners Creek Park.
The cost of the paddle is $10 for ages 13 and older, $5 for all others.
     Paddlers can enjoy the vistas of Kent and Cecil counties like you have never seen them before. The fall foliage, the Canada geese, miles of sandy beaches, wild turkeys, and bald eagles can be seen as if through the eyes of Captain John Smith on his voyage of 1608 and the Tockwogh Indians that lived and thrived along these shores. If you have a canoe or a kayak and a life jacket bring them, along with a friend or family member. A limited number of canoes, kayaks, and life jackets will be provided if you do not have one.
     The event is co-sponsored by Kent County Parks and Recreation.
     Call 410-778-2083 or email info@KentParksAndRec.org for more information.

Festival-goers Will Vote for 'Best Oyster Stew' at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum's OysterFest

     St. Michaels, Md. -- Six restaurants will compete for "best oyster stew" bragging rights when festival-goers sip, sample and cast their votes at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s (CBMM) November 5 OysterFest. This year’s participating restaurants all hail from St. Michaels and include Pascal’s Harbour Lights Restaurant at the St. Michaels Harbour Inn, Sherwood’s Landing at the Inn at Perry Cabin, Foxy’s Marina Bar, Town Dock Restaurant, the Crab Claw, and the Miles River Yacht Club.
     Samplings begin at 11 am and continue while supplies last through 12:30 pm, when the votes will be tallied and later announced from the decks of the Oystering on the Chesapeake building at 1pm. Event-goers can cast their votes by purchasing a limited number of $5 sampling mugs on the museum’s Fogg’s Cove side of campus, where the oyster stew competition takes place. The oyster stew will then be served by volunteers in a blind taste test to participants, who will then vote by ballot for their favorite stew.
     Last year’s first place winners were tied between Chef David Hayes of Pascal’s Harbour Lights Restaurant at the St. Michaels Harbour Inn and Chef Greg Brandberg of Sherwood’s Landing at the Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels. Second place went to Chef Mark Salter of the Robert Morris Inn in Oxford, and third place went to Chef Bill Vincent from Character’s in St. Michaels. Other 2010 participants included Two if by Sea of Tilghman Island, the Crab Claw and Rupert's Tea Room, both of St. Michaels.
     Pascal’s Harbour Lights Restaurant will also be offering last year’s winning stew for purchase to festival-goers, beginning at 12:30 pm.
     OysterFest also features several oyster cooking demonstrations from local chefs, including Chef Seth Willis of Town Dock restaurant at 11:30 am, Chef Aaron McCloud of the Inn at Perry Cabin’s Sherwood’s Landing at 12:30 pm, Chef David McCallum of Tilghman Island Inn at 1:30 pm, and Chef Barbara Hellish of the Miles River Yacht Club at 2:30 pm.
     OysterFest takes place from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, November 5, and also includes live music on two stages, oysters and other food, children’s activities, boat rides, oyster demonstrations and harvesting displays, retriever demonstrations, and more.
     Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $6 for children between the ages of six and 17. Children five years and under and CBMM members are admitted free. Food and boat rides are an additional cost. For more information, visit www.cbmm.org/oysterfest or call 410-745-2916.

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Offering Free Admission for Delmarva Residents

     St. Michaels, Md. -- Free admission to the 18-acre waterfront campus and new exhibits of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland, is being offered to Delmarva residents during the Museum’s September 6-9 Delmarva Days recognition.
     During the four days, free admission will be given to residents showing their Delmarva address on a piece of identification or mail. The Delmarva region includes the entire state of Delaware and the... Eastern Shores of Maryland and Virginia.
     General admission is otherwise free for museum members and kids under 6, or $13 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $6 for children 6-17. Free admission is also offered to active military individuals.
     The museum features new art and decoy exhibits as well as a floating fleet of historic vessels, the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse, and many hands-on exhibits that share the stories of how people live, work, and play along the entire Chesapeake Bay.
     The museum is open 9am to 5pm seven days a week, with picnics and dogs welcome. For more information, visit the museum in St. Michaels, online at www.cbmm.org, or call 410-745-2916.

Annapolis Community Boating Hosting Full Moon Paddle

     Annapolis, Md. -- Annapolis Community Boating is hosting a Full Moon Paddle on Friday, September 12, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Back Creek Nature Park Boating Center.
     Participants can unwind from the work week with ACB on a Full Moon Paddle. If you missed the July or August Full Moon Paddle, you missed a great time on the water! Show up at 6:30 p.m. for burgers and dogs on the grill, bring a dish to share. After dinner, board one of our paddle boats and head on out under the bright moon light.
     The cost is $10 for members, $15 for non-members.
     Advance registration is required. Find out more at http://www.annapolisboating.org

Waterman's Appreciation Day Coming to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

     St. Michaels, Md. -- With steamed crabs, cold beer, a boat docking contest, and the live music of Bird Dog and the Road Kings, the traditions of the Chesapeake are all part of the Talbot County Watermen’s Association’s 2nd Annual Watermen’s Appreciation Day on Sunday, August 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland.
     This year features a special appearance by Edgar Hansen of the fishing vessel Northwestern—as featured on Discovery Channel's "Deadliest Catch.” Hansen will be available for autographs and plans to be a passenger aboard one of the boats in the docking contest.
     The “Watermen’s Rodeo” or boat docking contest begins at 11 a.m. along the museum’s Foggs Cove. Following the boat docking contest, which is slated to end around 3:30 p.m., event-goers can participate in a jigger-throwing contest and earn bragging rights for the farthest toss.
     At noon, the day’s catch of crabs will be steamed up and served in a traditional Maryland crab feast, with live music beginning at 1 p.m. from the Eastern Shore’s favorite band, Bird Dog and the Road Kings. Hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, cake, and snow cones will also be available. Check out the working watermen’s boats along the waterfront during this event, or tour the museum’s 18-acre waterfront campus and ten exhibit buildings, including the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse and the Oystering on the Chesapeake exhibits.
     Kid’s games and family activities will also be a part of the day’s offerings, including knot tying demonstrations, model boat building, and more. Free boat rides on the museum’s replica buyboat, Mister Jim, will be available every half hour from 10:30 to 4:30 p.m.
     You can also bid on a number of items in the Watermen’s Association’s silent auction alongside the museum’s Small Boat Shed and includes artwork by Marc Castelli. Bids will be taken until 4:30pm, with proceeds supporting oyster restoration projects on the bay.
     Admission includes the crab feast, hot dogs, hamburgers, free boat rides, and non-alcoholic drinks and is $25 for adults, or $16 for children ages 6-17, with kids under six fed and admitted for free. Museum members get into the event for free, with crab feast wristbands available for members at $15 per adult, or $6 for children ages 6-17. Beer and additional food will also be available for purchase. For more information, visit cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.

Chester River Runoff to Perform at the Ruark Boatworks

     Cambridge, Md. --  The James B. Richardson Foundation, Inc. is presenting live music Wednesday evenings throughout the summer months on Cambridge Creek at the Ruark Boatworks, located at the intersection of Maryland Avenue and Hayward Street in Cambridge. The foundation requests a $5 donation for those 12 and older. Lawn seating only, bring chairs or blankets. Hot Dogs, nachos, snow cones, ice cream and drinks will be available for purchase.
     The rain location for concerts is inside the Richardson Maritime Museum, 401 High Street in Cambridge. For more information on this live music series, contact Gladys Taylor at 410-221-1871, stop by the Ruark Boatworks or visit www.richardsonmuseum.org.
     For harmonies, run away instrumentals and sheer delight, no one does bluegrass like Chester River Runoff. This group of enterprising young men from the Chestertown countryside have honed their musical prowess through hours of barn practice and miles on the road. Their repertoire goes well beyond the bluegrass standards to embrace homegrown material that reflects their Eastern Shore roots: call it eelgrass, call it bluecrabgrass, call it an incredible mix of fiddle, banjo, guitar, bass and vocals. Come hear them at The Ruark Boatworks on Wednesday, July 27 from 6 to 8 pm.
     Many musical groups describe themselves as "a family." But in the case of Chester River Runoff, it's not a simple cliché. It's an accurate description. For nearly seven years they've been laughing, bickering, and making music together from their home on the Eastern Shore and up and down the East Coast. The band is known for shows that combine three and four-part harmonies and a mastery of the bluegrass idiom with the high energy of some of the more far-flung torch-bearers of modern acoustic music.
     Says banjo player Sam Guthridge, "For the first few years we did our homework on traditional bluegrass until we got a handle on it, and then we moved on to doing our own thing. The time we spent really trying to toe the line on bluegrass traditions sets us apart from a lot of the bands we're compared to."
     No strict traditionalists, the Runoff's original songs draw inspiration from all over the map, and their sets are sprinkled with covers from artists as disparate as Pavement and Waylon Jennings, as well as songs the band has mined from old field recordings.
     Guthridge and guitarist Ben Armiger formed the band in the fall of 2004. After losing their original bassist and mandolin player, the pair did some searching and managed to convince bassist Marc Dykeman and ace fiddler Nate Grower to come along for the ride. Over the next 5 years, Dykeman and Grower became integral to the group, with Dykeman's rock-and-roll background livening up the mixture and Grower bringing the bluegrass chops that have enabled him to share the stage with some of the genre's legends.
     Chester River Runoff now plays at numerous venues and festivals up and down the East Coast. With the release of their debut studio album "Blue Heron Farm," and a consistent drive to write, learn, and expand their musical horizons, more growth is on the way for the band.

Powerboat Races on the Choptank this Weekend

     Cambridge, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the annual “Cambridge Classic Power Boat Regatta” boat races will be held on the Choptank River at Cambridge, Maryland, July 23-24, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. The event consists of various classes of highspeed power boats operating on a racetrack-type course located between Hambrooks Bar and Great Marsh Point.
     Mariners are urged to reduce to the minimum speed necessary to maintain course while operating near the race course area during the event. The Coast Guard Patrol Commander on scene can be contacted on marine band radio channel 16 VHF-FM, if necessary. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Charts12266

Fish for Free in Maryland on July 4th

     Annapolis, Md. -- Each year the state of Maryland encourages new anglers and visitors to sample the state’s excellent fishing opportunities by fishing without licenses on the first two Saturdays of June and on July 4th.
     “This is an excellent opportunity to check out the exceptional fishing that Maryland offers,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “I encourage everyone to take their families and friends to our abundant streams, lakes, rivers, ponds, and bays for some quality time. Consider spreading your passion for fishing by introducing a new angler to the sport.”
     Free-fishing anglers must adhere to minimum size and creel limits for the 62 species that are managed by DNR, of course.
     Fishing regulations and a downloadable copy of the 2011 Maryland Fishing Guide are available online at dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/regulations/regindex.asp. Copies of the 2011 Fishing Guide are also available at most tackle shops and at the seven DNR Service Centers around the state.
     Anglers fishing on state free fishing days do not need to register with the National Saltwater Angler registry.
     DNR Service Center information is available at dnr.maryland.gov/service/center.asp. For information on the National Saltwater Angler Registry go to dnr.maryland.gov/swregistry.asp.
     DNR encourages anglers of all ages to share photos of and information about the fish they catch by reporting through the DNR Angler’s Log—dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/log.

Fireworks Displays Announced for Around the Bay

     Baltimore, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Baltimore has received notice of the following fireworks displays, scheduled to occur on or near navigable waters during the 2011 Independence Day holiday period:

1. Chester River, Town of Chestertown, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 300 yards from the fireworks discharge site located on shore near the mouth of Radcliffe Creek on July 4, 2011 (no rain date) for a display scheduled at dusk. Chart 12272.

2. Fairlee Creek, Great Oak Landing Marina, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 200 yards from the fireworks discharge site located on shore at Shell Point on July 2, 2011 (rain date of September 3, 2011) for a display scheduled at 9:25 p.m. Chart 12274.

3. Herring Bay, Herrington Harbour South Marina, Friendship, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 150 yards from the fireworks discharge site located on the south jetty on July 2, 2011 (rain date of July 3, 2011) for a display scheduled at 9:30 p.m. Chart 12266.

4. Miles River, St. Michaels, Maryland, within a 200-yard radius of the fireworks barge in approximate position 38°47′41″ N, 076°12′53″ W, located on a point of land at the mouth of Long Haul Creek on July 3, 2011 (rain date of July 4, 2011) for a fireworks display scheduled for 9 p.m. Chart 12263.

5. Patuxent River, Golden Beach/Patuxent Knolls Civic Association, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 200 yards from the fireworks discharge site located on shore near Long Point on June 25, 2011 (rain date of June 26, 2011) for a display scheduled at 9 p.m. Chart 12284.

6. Potomac River, Town of Colonial Beach, Virginia, mariners are urged to remain at least 150 yards from the fireworks discharge site located at the end of the Town Pier on July 4, 2011 (rain date of July 9, 2011) for a display scheduled at 9:30 p.m. Chart 12286.

7. Rock Hall Harbor, Rock Hall, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 150 yards from the fireworks discharge site located on shore on July 3, 2011 (rain date of July 4, 2011) for a display scheduled at 9 p.m. Chart 12278.

8. Sassafras River, Georgetown, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 150 yards from the fireworks discharge site located on shore west of the mouth of Dyer Creek on July 4, 2011 (no rain date) for a display scheduled at 9:15 p.m. Chart 12274

9. Severn River, Sherwood Forest, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 150 yards from the fireworks discharge site located at the end of the Sherwood Forest Club’s Main Pier on July 3, 2011 (rain date of July 9, 2011) for a display scheduled at 9 p.m. Chart 12282.

10. Severn River, Epping Forest, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 100 yards from the fireworks discharge barge located at the mouth of Clements Creek on July 2, 2011 (no rain date) for a display scheduled at 9 p.m. Chart 12282.

11. Somers Cove, Crisfield, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 100 yards from the fireworks discharge site located on shore at Jersey Island on July 3, 2011 (no rain date) for a display scheduled at 9:15 p.m. Chart 12231

12. Susquehanna River, Havre de Grace, Maryland, mariners are urged to remain at least 300 yards from the fireworks discharge site located on shore at Park Island on July 3, 2011 (no rain date) for a display scheduled at 9:30 p.m. Chart 12277

     Mariners are urged to transit these areas with caution, to keep a sharp lookout for other watercraft in these areas, and are reminded to heed the directions of patrolling law enforcement and public safety officials. Absent specific guidance, mariners should remain 300 yards from any fireworks discharge site. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore Waterways Management Division at telephone number (410) 576-2674, (410) 576-2693 or email Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil.

     For the complete Local Notice to Mariners click here.

Volunteers Sought to Help Eradicate Water Chestnut on the Sassafras

     Kennedyville, Md. -- The Sassafras River Assocation and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources needs your help in eradicating Water Chestnut from the Sassafras Rvier. The invasive plant forms dense mats on the surface of water, which are often impenetrable for boats, swimmers, or waterfowl. Because Water Chestnut is not native to Maryland, it out-competes and displaces native vegetation, and provides poor habitat for other types of wildlife.
     SRA and the DNR are hosting Water Chestnut Volunteer Workdays June 28 and 29 headquartered at the Turner's Creek Pavilion near Kennedyville, beginning at 9 a.m.
     Volunteers will be asked to pull out Water Chestnut plants by hand in kayaks and canoes. If you have any information regarding location of the plants, please contact DNR Biologist Mark Lewandowski at 410-260-8634 or mlewandowski@dnr.state.md.us. If you are interested in volunteering, RSVP by contacting Jamie Brunkow, at riverkeeper@sassafrasriver.org  or 410-708-3303.

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Hosting Picnic By the Bay

     St. Michaels, Md. -- The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is hosting a Picnic by the Bay night for museum members on Friday, June 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
     The event will include a picnic with live music overlooking the Chesapeake Bay. Choose your spot among the museum's outdoor exhibits, piers and living shoreline. Bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages for this fun family evening featuring acoustic folk music from the Royal Oak Musicians.
     For membership information visit http://www.cbmm.org/join.htm

Museum Offering Opportunity to Assist with Skipjack Restoration

     St. Michaels, MD -- The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum along the Miles River in St. Michaels is offering the public a rare opportunity to be a part of the Rosie Parks skipjack restoration project with its recently launched Community Work Days program.

     As part of the program, the museum will be opening its campus every Saturday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. to community members wanting to volunteer while learning the art of boatbuilding from CBMM’s Master Shipwright, Marc Barto.

     Volunteers will assist in activities like tearing out the keel, stem and centerboard while learning how to build and install new ones. Volunteers must be 16 or older and have an interest in carpentry. All skillsets are welcome and women are encouraged to participate. Pre-registration is accepted, but not required.

     The museum is open daily, and celebrates the way people live, work, and play on the Bay. To learn more, visit www.cbmm.org/rosieparks.htm, call 410-745-2916 or email havefun@cbmm.org.

Upper Bay Noise Levels Subject of Public Hearing Tonight

     Elkton, MD -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources will hold a public hearing to discuss proposed new sound level limits for vessels using the Elk and Northeast Rivers and all tributaries including the Bohemia River and the C&D Canal. The hearing will be held at the Elkton High School (Room F-107), 110 James Street, Elkton, MD 21921 on Tuesday, May 24. The hearing will begin at 6 p.m.

     The noise limit would be reduced from the existing statewide standard of 90 decibels to 88 decibels for engines made after January 1993. The 90-decibel rule would still apply to older boats. Another proposed regulation would make cut-off switches that bypass or reduce the effectiveness of exhaust-pipe mufflers illegal.

      Interested parties who have questions or wish to submit comments via e-mail may do so by contacting Mike Grant, Regulations Coordinator for Boating Services at mgrant@dnr.state.md.usor by U.S. mail to Mike Grant, Regulations Coordinator, DNR-Boating Services Unit, 580 Taylor Avenue, E-4, Annapolis, Maryland 21401 or by telephone at 410-260-8013.

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum to Host Boating Safety Course

     St. Michaels, MD -- The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels is offering a two-day Boater Safety Course on June 7 and 8. The course will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. each day on the museum’s campus. Any Maryland boater born after July 1, 1972, is required to have a Certificate of Boating Safety Education, in order to operate a vessel. Those under 16 who are operating a motorized boat 11 feet or more and do not have a valid Certificate of Boating Safety Education must be supervised by someone at least 18.

     The certificate is obtained by passing a Department of Natural Resources approved boating safety course, and once obtained, the certificate is valid for life. Participants completing the course and passing the test will receive this certificate. The course is also recommended for anyone looking to become a safer, more experienced boater.

     The cost is $25 with advanced registration needed. For more information or to register, call Helen Van Fleet at 410-745-4941.

Annapolis Nautical Flea Market May 28-29 at Navy Marine Corps Stadium

     Annapolis, MD -- Come be part of the 3rd annual Annapolis Nautical Flea Market. Produced by the same company which produces the highly successful United States Sailboat Show and United States Powerboat Show held in Annapolis, MD each October.

     This year the Annapolis Nautical Flea Market will feature new and previously owned boats as well as nautical equipment, art, jewelry and accessories.
Dates: May 28, 29 (Rain or Shine)
Times: Saturday, May 28, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. & Sunday, May 29, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: Navy Marine Corps Stadium on Rowe Blvd. and Taylor Ave. in Annapolis, MD.
Spaces: 10x10- $100, 9x20- $175
Boats on Trailers: Up to 30 ft.- $175, Over 30 ft.- $225
Parking: $5 ($10 for vans or car w/ trailer)
Tickets: $5
     For more information contact Sheila Jones at 410-268-8828 or sheilaj@usboat.com

First Cruise of the Season Aboard John W. Brown May 28

     Baltimore, MD -- The first Living History Cruise of the 2011 sailing season aboard S.S. John W. Brown will be Saturday, May 28, from Baltimore. Tickets are still available. Spend an day in 1944 as you experience a sea and air adventure aboard Baltimore's restored Liberty Ship.
     Each six-hour "Voyage into History" features: continental breakfast; bountiful luncheon buffet, afternoon snacks and beverages; live Big Band music of the 1940s; military re-enactors and other entertainers; fly-bys of vintage World War II aircraft (conditions permitting), with the ship's Armed Guard gunners manning the guns to fight off attacking Axis planes.
     The ship is open to visit. View the magnificent 140-ton triple-expansion steam engine as it powers the great ship through the water. Tour museum spaces, crew quarters, bridge, flying bridge, chart room, radio room, messrooms, troop berthing areas, stern gun deck and much more.
     Find out more at http://www.liberty-ship.com/

Okoumefest Small Boat Event Slated for May 13 and 14

Chesapeake Light Craft will host Okoumefest May 13 and 14 this year.

     Annapolis and Stevensville, MD -- Chesapeake Light Craft's annual Okoumefest weekend is May 13 and 14 this year. CLC's small-boat festival brings do-it-yourself boatbuilders and small-boat enthusiasts together for workshops, on-the-water demonstrations, and prizes. An Open House is Friday at Chesapeake Light Craft’s factory and showroom in Annapolis from 2-7 pm; on-the-water fun takes place Saturday at Kent Island’s Matapeake State Park from 9 am-5 pm. Complete information is available at www.clcboats.com/festival.

     Now in its 13th year, OkoumeFest (pronounced oh-KOO-me-fest) is a family-friendly event centered on the joys of building and using small boats. For those new to boats or boatbuilding there is no better opportunity to get on the water, attend seminars, and have questions answered.

Hinckley Open House May 21 on the Water in Oxford

      Oxford, MD -- The Hinckley Company has announced a Spring Open House to showcase its pre-owned yacht collection on Saturday, May 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Oxford service facility, 202 Banks Street.
      More than 13 pre-owned Hinckley Yachts will be on display, in the water.
     “Our Spring Open House presents a rare opportunity to get aboard practically every pre-owned Hinckley Jetboat on the market today in the Chesapeake,” said Jennifer Richards, Brokerage Director for Hinckley Yachts Annapolis. “Whether you’re looking for a gorgeous, little runabout or a stately motoryacht, you’ll find her in the water and ready to go at our upcoming Open House.”
     Hinckley, a privately held company founded in 1928, is renowned for its premium sailboats and power boats. The company builds its boats in Trenton and Southwest Harbor, Maine, and operates eight service yards along the U.S. East Coast. Hinckley has approximately 1,500 boat owners and 5,000 service customers worldwide.

Kinetic Sculpture Race at Boston Street Ramp May 7

     Baltimore, MD -- Mariners are advised that the annual “American Visionary Art Museum Kinetic Sculpture Race” is scheduled to occur in Baltimore on Saturday, May 7, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. A water entry and exit will occur at the Boston Street Public Boat Ramp, in Northwest Harbor, from 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Participants will be accompanied and supported by kayaks and a motorized safety launch. For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Chart 12281.
     For the complete Local Notice to Mariners click here.

Sailing Opportunties on Saturdays at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is offering sailing to visitors in a selection of rowing and sailing skiffs, like the Melonseed skiffs shown here. Dates for the program are June 11, July 17, August 13, and September 17, with two sessions from 10 am to noon and 1 pm to 5 pm. Cost to participate is $10 plus museum admission. Drop-ins welcome.

     St. Michaels, MD -- Beginning in June, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland will offer novice and experienced boaters a chance to get out on the water along Fogg’s Cove in a selection of the museum’s beautifully crafted wooden sailing and rowing skiffs.
     The Sailing Saturdays program runs June 11, July 16, August 13 and September 17 with two daily sailing sessions running from 10 am to noon and 1 pm to 4 pm. Boats used for the program range in size from 12 to 20 feet, and were crafted in the museum’s Apprentice for a Day public boatbuilding program. The boats are perfect for one to two people, with instruction provided for beginning sailors or boaters.
     “For people interested in commissioning the museum to build one of these boats, this is a great way to ‘try before you buy,’” explains Boat Yard Manager Rich Scofield. “And for the experienced boater, this is a unique opportunity to enjoy sailing in some of the nicest, handmade wooden boats in the world.”
     Boats in the program rotate from the museum’s collection, which includes Melonseed sailing skiffs, Rushton rowing skiffs and paddleboats. “You might event get to sail in the boat that appeared in the Failure to Launch movie as part of your experience,” commented Scofield.
     Reservations can be made, with drop-in participation welcomed. The cost to participate in the Sailing Saturdays program is $10 per session plus museum admission. The museum is open daily and also offers visitors the opportunity to help build one of these skiffs through its Apprentice for a Day program. For more information, call 410-745-2916 or visit http://www.cbmm.org/.

Event to Feature Information on Lighthouses of Dorchester County

The Choptank River Lighthouse Society plans to build a replica of this screwpile lighthouse that once served the Choptank River. This photo is from the 1950s is presented courtesy of the Choptank River Lighthouse Society.

     Cambridge, MD --  Have you heard about the wild, five-mile ride two keepers took -- inside the lighthouse? Do you know which well known Dorchester County family can claim the keeper of the original Choptank River Lighthouse? Have you heard the latest on the Hooper Island Lighthouse? Find out all this and more during the first-ever Lighthouses of Dorchester Town Hall Event on Saturday, May 7, 2-4 p.m. at the Dorchester County Visitor Center, 2 Rose Hill Place in Cambridge.
     Guest speakers from the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society will share stories and history about lighthouses in the waters surrounding Dorchester County and throughout the Bay. Henry Gonzalez, Vice President of the national U.S. Lighthouse Society and former President of its Chesapeake chapter, along with Sandy Clunies, Chapter Historian, will present a fascinating slide show about these lighthouses. They will also describe their ongoing plans to preserve and restore the Hooper Island Lighthouse and how you can get involved as a volunteer.
     Members of the Board of the Choptank River Lighthouse Society will also be on hand to give an update on efforts to build a replica of the former Choptank River Lighthouse on Pier A of the Cambridge City Marina. Wendy Brewer, author of "Keep Your Glow On," the just published, comprehensive guide to more than 800 U.S. lighthouses, will sign copies of her book.
     “Lighthouses and lighthouse keepers are a very important part of the heritage of any maritime area, and Dorchester County is no exception, since it had both a screwpile lighthouse in the Choptank River and still has an operating caisson in the Bay,” said Gonzalez. “It’s vital to the success of any lighthouse preservation and interpretation activities that the local residents be active participants, so this Town Hall is a great opportunity for them to ‘come aboard!’”
     This event is being organized by the Choptank River Lighthouse Society and the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society. Free and open to lighthouse enthusiasts and to anyone intrigued by the iconic symbols of our maritime heritage. Light refreshments will be served, courtesy of Paul's Subs. Seating is limited; please reserve your spot by calling 410.228.7977.

Bay Bridge Boat Show Set to Begin with Many New Attractions

     Stevensville, MD -- Spring weather means it’s time to start gearing up for a summer season on the Chesapeake, and what better place to start the process than the Bay Bridge Boat Show, located at the Bay Bridge Marina on Kent Island and running from April 28 through May 1.
     With four days to wander through more than 150 land-based exhibits and check out over 200 new and brokerage boats in the water and displayed on the marina grounds, the Bay Bridge Boat Show offers a one-stop shopping opportunity for all your boating needs. It's a great place to comparison shop and figure out what boat best suits your needs and interests.
     Two huge tents offer the latest in gear, gadgets and services, plus experts ready to answer your questions about their products. Docks lined with dramatic state-of-the-art vessels as well as time-tested used boats make comparison shopping easy. Add a host of land-based and shoreside activities that will engage the whole family and you’ve got a good idea of what the show has to offer.
     Boat dealers are reporting an uptick in boat sales, but boat pricing is still competitive. The dealers are ready to deal and financial services are eager to make loans to qualified buyers. Climb aboard the vessels on display and see for yourself what all the hype is about.
     For tickets and more information about all the show's new attractions, visit usboat.com.

Mariners Can Visit Janes Island's Open House April 23

     Crisfield, MD -- Janes Island State Park officials invite mariners, families, civic organizations, churches, schools and youth groups to attend its open house from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m on Saturday April 23.
     Planned activities include a hayride through the park, kite making, crabbing and/or fishing on the Daugherty Creek Canal, canoeing or kayaking at the marina, a Scales & Tales live animal display, Geocaching and other family activities, games and crafts.
     There is no cost to attend and free refreshments will be provided.
     The Julie Schweikert Nature Center, the Daugherty Creek Conference Center, a full-size cabin, and a camper cabin will be open for tours and rental information. For more information, contact Beth Shafer at the Janes Island Park Office at 410-968-1565.
     Accommodations for individuals with disabilities will be provided upon request. Seven days advance notice is requested.

Calvert Marine Museum Announces April Events

     Mariners and their families and friends are invited to celebrate spring and visit the Calvert Marine Museum in April with programs, events, and activities for visitors of all ages. Visit the website at http://www.calvertmarinemuseum.com/ for complete information.

Sunday, April 10: Sunday Conversations with Chesapeake Authors features Dr. Karen Shanor, presenting her popular book Bats Sing, Mice Giggle: The Surprising Science of Animals' Inner Lives at 2:00 p.m. Books are available for purchase in the museum store. A book signing will follow the presentation. FREE.

Thursdays, April 14 and 21: Sea Squirts: Children Cloud Pictures. Join us as we read Spilt Milk and then make shapes in our own clouds. Free drop-in program for toddlers 18 months - 3 years old and their caregivers from 10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

CMM SPRING BREAK FUN: APRIL 18 - 25
Monday, April 18: Otter Day: Touch a pelt, examine teeth and feet, and see how otters relate to you. Make an otterly great craft in the Discovery Room loft from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Free with museum admission.

Tuesday, April 19: Otter Breakfast: Go behind the scenes to talk with an aquarist and observe a feeding. Continental breakfast will be provided. Children must be 8 years or older and accompanied by an adult. Fee is $15 per person; $10 for members. Preregistration required, call 410-326-2042, ext. 41.
Janie Suss will read from her book Oscar and Olive Osprey: A Family Takes Flight, the true story of two ospreys that build a nest in front of the author's Chesapeake Bay home. Join us from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in the lobby. Books are available for purchase in the museum store. FREE.

Wednesday, April 20: Make Your Own Fishing Pole: Learn to make and take home a bamboo fishing pole in the boat basin from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. $3 donation requested. Museum admission is required.

Thursday, April 21: Explore the Matrix: Dig into some dirt and learn how paleontologists do what they do with half-hour sessions on the hour starting at 1:00 p.m. in the classroom. Sign up at admissions desk to register. Free with museum admission.

Friday, April 22: Then and Now:Visit the Drum Point Lighthouse and compare the past to the present in a matching game. Sign up at the admissions desk for special tours at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Free with museum admission.

Saturday, April 23: Fossil Egg Hunt: Back by popular demand! Discover hidden fossil eggs throughout the museum for children age 3-8, divided into two age groups at 10:30 a.m. Please bring your own basket for collecting eggs and participants may keep the fossils! Free with museum admission.

Monday, April 25: Colonial Life in Maryland: Learn what life was like for the colonists in Maryland. Explore the importance of tobacco and learn some games colonial children played. Fifteen minute programs at the top of every hour from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Free with museum admission.

Thursday, April 28 - Little Minnows: Animal Babies: What's My Name? Program for children age 3 - 5 years old from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Animal babies are cute, but did you know they don't have the same name as the adult? Learn all the baby names, play a matching game, and visit the baby animals in the museum. Fee is $4 for members and $5 for nonmembers. Space is limited. Pre-registration suggested. Call 410-326-2042 ext. 41.

Commercial Marine Expo Coming to Norfolk June 22-23

     Norfolk, VA -- Mariners can plan now to attend the 2011 Commercial Marine Expo, the only in-water, business-to-business trade show for the working waterfront in North America. In just two days, you can see, compare and purchase the latest equipment and gear that working mariners need. Expert advice will be available on the technical challenges mariners face every day at sea. The event will feature informative seminars, active demonstrations, the CME/Military Sealift Command Job Fair, and the Mid-Atlantic Watermen's Congress.
      You can catch up with colleagues from up and down the Atlantic seaboard in one location, at the Half Moone Cruise Ship Terminal. Registration is now free and available at http://www.comarexpo.com./
     CME 2011 is designed for owners and operators of coastal tugs, offshore tugs, work boats, offshore wind support vessels, towboats, charter boats, fishing vessels, ferry boats, police, fire and public safety boats, military, homeland security boats, freight and cargo vessels, harbormasters, marine surveyors and many others who work on the water.
     For more information about Commercial Marine Expo, visit http://www.comarexpo.com/ or call 207-799-1356.

Open House Scheduled at North East River Yacht Club

     North East, MD -- North East River Yacht Club is hosting an Open House on Sunday, April 17 from
2:00 to 4:00 p.m. The Open House will feature facility tours and the opportunity to learn more about the
many amenities, activities and benefits that NERYC has to offer potential new members and guests.
     The Club’s Dockmaster will also be available to present any remaining slip accommodations for the 2011 boating season. Parents and children age 7 to 18 can also preview NERYC’s popular Summertime
“Learn to Sail” program which is open to everyone, and see the club’s fleet of training boats and
boathouse. The program offers instruction at all levels -- beginners, intermediate, and advanced racing.
    NERYC’s restaurant staff will be serving complimentary menu samplers during the Open House, and be available to discuss its capabilities for events such as business meetings, parties and weddings.
The restaurant and bar will open to serve members and visitors for its regular dinner service beginning
at 4:00 p.m.
     Founded in 1930, North East River Yacht Club offers an exceptional setting for recreational boating on the Upper Chesapeake Bay. With a magnificent waterfront property, well maintained clubhouse, restaurant and bar, and a modern marina with floating docks, members and guests enjoy an extensive calendar of events and programs year-round.
     The club is conveniently located to Northern Maryland and Delaware, Southern New Jersey, and Southeast Pennsylvania, and within easy access of I-95.

Portsmouth to Host 'Power in the Park' April 16-17

     Portsmouth, VA -- “Power in the Park” will open the American Power Boat Association Region 4 racing season this year. The event, April 16-17, at Portsmouth City Park in Portsmouth, VA, will feature both inboard and outboard hydroplane racing.

     Portsmouth offers one of the fastest race courses in the U.S. Several world records have been set on this well protected race site situated in a park setting. Come by boat or car and enjoy a day at the races.

     Admission and parking are free to the public. Competitors will travel from all over the country to have a chance at setting the next world record. Bring your radio and tune in to the voice of Inboard Power Boat Racing on FM 107.3 for live broadcasting of the race.

     Races are scheduled to run from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

     Find out more at powerinthepark.com.

Dock Your Boat in Annapolis on Maryland Day

  Annapolis, MD -- Four Rivers: The Heritage Area of Annapolis, London Town and South County is sponsoring the fourth annual Maryland Day Celebration in Anne Arundel County from Friday, March 25, 2011 through Sunday, March 27.
 Throughout the weekend, historical and cultural institutions in Annapolis and southern Anne Arundel County will open their doors to the public offering special tours, events, and programming for $1.00 or less. Maryland Day Celebration 2011 will include historic sites not usually open to the public, special programs developed for Maryland Day, costumed re-enactors, exhibits, and family activities. Events will occur throughout Annapolis and southern Anne Arundel County on a rolling basis throughout the weekend. Additionally, area businesses and restaurants are offering special packages and deals to commemorate the weekend.
  A special activity this year is the “Taste of Four Rivers” cookbook. Each participating site will distribute one or more collectible recipes to visitors for this make-your-own cookbook activity (sites that are participating are indicated by a diamond symbol, below). At least fourteen sites will have recipes, each of which reflects the site’s unique history or a special connection to local flavors.
 For the second year in a row, the entire weekend will be filled with events, activities, and special opportunities to experience our area’s heritage with an emphasis on fun for the whole family. Maryland Day Celebration 2011 is a collaborative event sponsored by Four Rivers: The Heritage Area of Annapolis, London Town & South County. Activities for this weekend-long celebration include a free “Heritage Stride” family tour of historic downtown Annapolis, sponsored by sponsored by Annapolis Tours® by Watermark®, and a free African American History Walk through Annapolis with historian Janice Hayes-Williams; both tours take place on the morning of Saturday, March 26.
  Maryland Day Celebration activities at participating historic and cultural institutions in Annapolis and Southern Anne Arundel County are offered for one dollar or FREE. A full listing of the weekend’s activities is available on the event website, http://www.marylandday.org/, and in a printed Program of Events, available at visitor centers and participating sites.

ASA Meeting to Focus on War of 1812

St. Michaels, MD -- A few seats are available for CBMM members and guests to attend the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Schooner Association's annual meeting this Saturday, March 12 from 10 to noon in the Museum's Van Lennep Auditorium.
The topic for this meeting will be the anniversary of the War of 1812.
The guest speaker is Geoffrey Footner, author of Tidewater Triumph; The Development and Worldwide Success of the Chesapeake Bay Pilot Schooner and USS Constellation; From Frigate To Sloop Of War.
Cost of lunch is $5. The event is free for Museum members or with Museum admission. Pre-registration required, as space is limited. To register or for more information, contact Darlene Alexander of the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Schooner's Association at darlene36507@gmail.com.

Annapolis Yacht Club to Host Foundation Cup

  Annapolis, MD -- The Coast Guard Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to the education, welfare and morale of all Coast Guard members and their families, has announced its first annual sailboat race, the Coast Guard Foundation Cup. Established to raise funds for foundation programs for enlisted Coast Guard members, provide financial support for college to families of Coast Guard members lost in the line of duty, and offer relief for Coast Guard families who have lost possessions in natural disasters, the first annual Coast Guard Foundation Cup will be hosted by the Annapolis Yacht Club (AYC) in Annapolis, Maryland on Saturday, May 14.
  The Coast Guard Foundation Cup is an overnight distance race, highlighted by a fun-filled weekend of events that will increase awareness and raise funds to support the foundation’s important projects and programs that benefit the Coast Guard. The race will start and finish outside of Annapolis Harbor; with additional events scheduled for participants Friday, May 13 and Sunday, May 15.
  “The Coast Guard Foundation Cup is a perfect mix of two of my core passions -- the Coast Guard Foundation and sailing,” said Jim Muldoon, noted sailor, Coast Guard Foundation board member and chairman of the Coast Guard Foundation Cup. “It is a great opportunity for sailors to take part in a competitive race and the community to learn more about the foundation and the tremendous work it does for our maritime guardians.”
  Sponsorships of the Cup are available to individuals and businesses with proceeds benefiting the Coast Guard Foundation and its support of the men and women of the Coast Guard and their families. Available sponsorships are Presenting Sponsorship with Exclusivity; as well as Title, Captain, First Mate, and Shipmate sponsorships ranging from $15,000 to $1,000. Details on sponsorship opportunities and benefits are available at coastguardfoundation.org.
  “This race is a natural fit for the Coast Guard Foundation,” said Anne Brengle, president of the Coast Guard Foundation. “The men and women of the Coast Guard serve our country by protecting sailors and other mariners. By sponsoring this Cup, people and businesses are able to give back to those who give so selflessly of themselves to protect everyone at sea.”
 The Coast Guard Foundation Cup is open to sailboats with valid PHRF/Chesapeake 4P ratings; J/30, J/35 and J/105 one design classes; and boats with valid CBYRA Multihull ratings. Boats with IRC ratings will sail in their PHRF class and will be scored for both PHRF and IRC. The race will be governed by the rules as defined in The Racing Rules of Sailing 2009-2012 (RRS). Scoring will be in compliance with the Low Point System as defined in Appendix A of the RRS. A Coast Guard Foundation Cup skipper’s social will be held at the AYC on Friday, May 13, 2011. Awards will be presented at the AYC on Sunday, May 15. The race is a CYBRA sanctioned event.
  Entries for the race must be submitted by 7:00 PM, Tuesday, May 10. An online entry form and race details will be available starting late February on the Annapolis Yacht Club’s racing website, www.race.annapolisyc.org. For more information on the first annual Foundation Cup including sponsorship opportunities, the Coast Guard Foundation or to help support its work, please visit the Coast Guard Foundation website http://www.coastguardfoundation.org/.

KI West Marine Doubles Size

Weekend of Free Family-Friendly Events Scheduled for Grand Opening Celebration March 18-20

  Chester, MD -- To better serve the needs of Kent Island boaters, West Marine has doubled the size of its store at 2122 DiDinato Drive in the Red Apple Plaza Shopping Center. The grand opening celebration will include three days of special events starting Friday, March 18 through Sunday, March 20 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Family friendly activities include kids casting competitions, high tech electronic demonstrations, raffle prizes, special deals and free hot dogs (while supplies last). The Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen's Association (MSSA) will be on hand with tips and tricks for fishing in the Chesapeake Bay.
  Responding to the needs of Kent Island boaters, the store has been expanded to 12,500 square feet and now includes a huge selection of salt water fishing gear and tackle, specifically selected for the region. There is also a full engine parts department and an increased selection of inflatable boats, motors and kayaks. Product selections throughout the Store have been improved, plus a large selection of technical clothing and foul weather gear, designed by boaters for boaters are now on deck.
 The Kent Island West Marine will have a crew of 16 associates. Store Manager Drew Watts has been a powerboater for over 15 years. He is a native of Annapolis and currently keeps a 24-foot cuddy cabin Wellcraft on the South River.
 Other members of Kent Island team include: Michael Bassler who is a sailing and electronics specialist and Debbie Dilkes, a five-year veteran of West Marine with plumbing and electrical expertise. Also on staff will be two fishing experts, Ryan Dutsler and S.P. Sheehan, who can assist customers with any questions about bay and offshore fishing.
  “The Kent Island West Marine was designed to meet the needs of the island boating community,” said Watts. “Our staff consists of a diverse group of sailors, boaters and anglers who are eager to meet the needs of Chesapeake area boaters.

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum to Host History Talks



Adam Goodheart is one in a series of four speakers in CBMM’s Spring Lecture Series, which begins this month and covers a variety of Civil War topics and historical figures.

   St. Michaels, MD -- The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels, Maryland has announced a lecture series beginning this month and continuing through June. Held in the museum’s Van Lennep Auditorium, the 90-minute lectures cover a variety of Civil War topics and historical figures.
  At 2pm on March 28, historian Dr. Kate Clifford Larson brings to life Civil War spy, abolitionist, humanitarian, and Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman. Dr. Larson’s 2003 biography of Harriet Tubman, Bound for the Promised Land: Harriet Tubman, Portrait of an American Hero, was one of the first non-juvenile Tubman biographies published in six decades. Larson is the consultant for the Harriet Tubman Special Resource Study of the National Park Service and serves on the advisory board of the Historic Context on the Underground Railroad in Delaware, Underground Railroad Coalition of Delaware.
 On April 6 at 2pm, USS Monitor Center Curator Anna Gibson Holloway of the Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, Virginia, shares the untold stories of the USS Monitor, with So Ends This Day: The Life and Times of the USS Monitor from 1861 to Yesterday. The lecture recounts the 1862 Cape Hatteras gale that ended USS Monitor’s career along with NOAA’s 1973 recovery operations of the “cheesebox on a raft.” Holloway also serves as vice president of museum collections and programs at the Mariners’ Museum.
  At 2pm on April 8, Charles Mitchell brings to life the voices of the Civil War by using a collection of first-hand accounts, letters, diaries, journals and newspaper stories which focus on the divided loyalties of the Civil War in Maryland. Mitchell, a native Marylander and author of Maryland Voices of the Civil War, is an editor and travel writer in Baltimore. Mitchell earned a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Pennsylvania State University, and a master’s degree in international relations with an emphasis on Soviet politics from the University of Maryland.
  The last session in the lecture series, beginning at 6pm on June 3, features Adam Goodheart, author, teacher, and master historian, as he shares the dramatic and little-known story of how a courageous group of slaves at the beginning of the Civil War launched a revolution by the shores of the Chesapeake––a revolution that would ultimately lead to Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation. The story unfolded 150 years ago, in May and June of 1861. Goodheart is the author of 1861: The Civil War Awakening, to be published in April 2011. He is a regular online columnist for the New York Times Civil War series, “Disunion” and teaches American studies and history at Washington College.
  Space is limited with pre-registration required. The cost is $8 for Museum members, $10 for non-members. To register or for more information, call 410-745-4941 or email Helen Van Fleet at hvanfleet@cbmm.org.

Cruising the Chesapeake Seminar at AMM

Janie Meneely at the Baltimore Boat Show.

 Annapolis, MD -- Annapolis Maritime Museum, along with West Marine, Weems & Plath, Annapolis School of Seamanship and Chesapeake Bay Magazine, presents an innovative one-day learning program for boaters interested in cruising the Chesapeake Bay.
  The Chesapeake Bay offers a vast array of spectacular cruising opportunities for recreational boaters, but for many boat owners new to the Bay (or new to boating), deciding where to go and figuring out how to get there can be a daunting prospect. With these novice Bay boaters in mind, the Annapolis Maritime Museum will be hosting a "cruising readiness" seminar on Sunday, April 3, from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., at the museum campus in Eastport.
  Entitled "Cruising Chesapeake Bay: Tips and Hands-On Training for Bay Cruisers" the all-day event will give boaters the low down on how, when and where to cruise the Bay this season, whether you're traveling with kids in a small cuddy cruiser or heading out as a couple aboard a more commodious trawler or sailboat.
  Led by experts Captain Robin Allison of West Marine, Peter and Cathie Trogdon of Weems & Plath, Captain John Martino of Annapolis School of Seamanship and Janie Meneely of Chesapeake Bay Magazine, the seminars will focus on making sure your boat is cruising ready, reviewing navigation and seamanship as it relates to Bay-wide situations, and providing a virtual tour of the Chesapeake, including not-to-miss calendar events. In addition, special small-group hands-on training segments will review basic chart reading, dead reckoning, rules of the road, provisioning and safety equipment.
  Attendance fee is $60/person, which includes four seminars, product demonstrations, several hands-on sessions, lunch and a wine-and-cheese wrap up, plus door prizes and take-aways. Proceeds benefit the Annapolis Maritime Museum.
  To register, contact the Annapolis Maritime Museum at 410-295-0104 or http://www.amaritime.org/.

CRAB to Host Knot-Tying Class

 Annapolis, MD -- Chesapeake Region Assessible Boating has scheduled a knot-tying workshop for sailors, skippers, volunteers and friends for four upcoming Saturdays. Participants will learn the basic knots that every capable sailor uses for safety, ease and quickness. Increase your skills and use the right knot for the need. You’ll have fun and leave knowing how and what to knot … and what not!
  Allen Faurot, who teaches knot-tying at the Naval Academy, will lead the class with Don Backe’s assistance.
  Faurot moved to Annapolis from NYC in 1994 and has, since then, volunteered as a Sailing Coach at the Naval Academy. He retired after a fourteen year career with the Ford Foundation as a money manager, and, before that, practicing law for twelve years in the Big Apple.
  Faurot has served CRAB as a coach in the CRAB Cup and the Boatyard Bar & Grill Regatta to Benefit CRAB for many years. He owned and raced his Tartan 30 and C&C 35 Mk III, mostly in Long Island Sound. He has cruised the East Coast extensively as well as four of the Great Lakes. Faurot competed in the Chicago Mackinaw and the Huron Mackinaw races with Midshipmen as crew. With his Navy crew, he sailed a donated C&C 49 from the Great Lakes to the Naval Academy in Annapolis.
  The same knot-tying workshop will be offered on four Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
  The workshop will be limited to 6 persons each session. The classes will last approximately 1 1/2 hours and will be held in the Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Assoc. (CBYRA) office, 612 Third Street, Annapolis, MD 21403, Suite A, 4th floor (just above the CRAB office).
  The workshop’s tuition is $15, including the cost of class materials. Reserve your space by sending your check, made out to CRAB, to: Don Backe, Executive Director, CRAB, P.O. Box 6564, Annapolis MD 21401-0564. Note on the check the date of the knot-tying workshop you will attend. Include your phone number, postal address and email address.
  Sign up early as space is limited. Contact Backe with any questions: 410-693-1878, cell; or 410-626-0273, office; donbacke@aol.com.

Open House Scheduled for Chesapeake Ranger Tugs

A Ranger Tug 27-footer under way.

     Annapolis, MD -- Chesapeake Ranger Tugs will host their spring open house April 2-3 at the Bert Jabin Yacht Yard located at 7310 Edgewood Road, Annapolis. The Open House will feature all Ranger Tugs models—the R21, R25, R27 and R29—all of which embody the Ranger Tugs core value of being efficient diesel cruising vessels. Chesapeake Ranger Tugs is the dealer for the popular trailerable vessels and has a special Chesapeake Edition of the R29 and R27 outfitted with the Bay cruiser in mind.
  Attendees are invited to spend time aboard each boat comparing features, exploring the engine room and asking questions of sales representatives. Boaters are also invited to participate in scheduled sea trials throughout the day to see first hand the features of the Ranger Tugs line that make them ideal for enjoying the scenes of the Chesapeake Bay, and beyond. Ranger Tugs owners have done the Great Loop, the ICW, the Canadian canals, Lake Champlain, New England and even the inside passage to Alaska.
  Closer to home, they are great for fishing or relaxing at anchor. All models can be fitted out with popular features that include a generator, air conditioning, Garmin touch-screen chart plotter, radar, and sonar, Garmin autopilot, as well as many other options. Learn more about the trailerable Ranger Tugs at http://www.chesranger.com./
  The Chesapeake Ranger Tugs’ Open House will run from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The event is free and open to the public and the media. Anyone interested in the ease and comfort of trailerable cruising vessels will appreciate the chance to go aboard Ranger Tugs ranging from 21 to 29 feet with knowledgeable and qualified sales representatives from Chesapeake Ranger Tugs. For a sea trial, pre-registration is required; please email the time and date that works best for you to chuck@chesranger.com.
  The Spring Open House is an opportunity for both the local community as well as the larger boating audience to spend quality time on board boats equally capable of local gunkholing and costal cruising.
  Ranger Tugs are built in Kent, Washington; the company was founded in 1958 based on a philosophy of quality and "doing things right." The company continuously incorporates the ideas and experiences of customers into the structure, design, and quality of Ranger Tugs. http://www.rangertugs.com/

Boating Safety Class at CBMM

  St. Michaels, MD -- The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels is offering its first two-day Boater Safety Course for 2011 on April 12 and 13. The course will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. each day on the CBMM campus. The course is suited for participants eight years of age and older.
  Any Maryland boater born after July 1, 1972, is required to have a Certificate of Boating Safety Education, in order to operate a vessel. The certificate is obtained by passing a Department of Natural Resources approved boating safety course, and once obtained; the Certificate is valid for life. Participants completing the course and passing the test will receive this Certificate. The course is also recommended for anyone looking to become a safer, more experienced boater.
  Cost is $25 per participant, with pre-registration. To register or for more information, contact Helen Van Fleet at 410-745-4941 or email hvanfleet@cbmm.org. For information about future Boater Safety Courses, visit the “Learn” page at cbmm.org.

MSSA and Bay Bridge Boat Show Join Forces

  Stevensville, MD -- United States Yacht Shows has announced an agreement with the Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association to include a fishing tournament weigh station at the 2011 Bay Bridge Boat Show, April 28-May 1.
  The MSSA annually produces the largest rockfish tournament in the nation. The weigh station will be located on a floating dock off the promenade in the center of the show area, and will be sponsored by AllTackle. AllTackle will operate the station as well as hosting casting challenges for all ages, and “guess the fish’s weight” competitions. A full schedule of entertaining events will be produced for anglers of all ages.
  Information on the boat show is available at usboat.com. Find out more about MSSA at mssa.net.

Docent and Volunteer Training at CBMM

  St. Michaels, MD -- Individuals who are passionate about the Chesapeake, its history and its culture, and who like working with people are encouraged to participate in the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum's (CBMM) new volunteer and docent training on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout March. The training will take place in the Museum's Van Lennep Auditorium from 10am to 12:30pm on March 1, 3, 8 and 10; and from 9 to 11:30am on March 15, 17, 22 and 24.
  Individuals interested in volunteering as Museum docents will learn about the region's social, cultural, and environmental history. They will also develop talking points based on a particular Chesapeake interest, and learn the ins and outs of public speaking and tour guiding. Upon completion, participants will be able to present a guided general tour––the foundation experience of CBMM’s docent program.
  Year-round volunteer training and workshops are provided to guide children’s programs, environmental programs, and on-going tour content classes. To register for the docent training or for more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator Diane Taylor at 410-745-4959 or email dtaylor@cbmm.org.

Safety Seminar in Annapolis April 2-3

  Annapolis -- The Annapolis Safety at Sea seminar will be held on April 2 and 3, 2011 in Alumni Hall on the campus of the US Naval Academy. The seminar will focus on offshore as well as inshore safety with programs of interest to both cruisers and racing sailors.
  The live on-the-water demonstrations and helicopter rescue are unmatched in this country. An ISAF certificate will be offered. Each year, technical experts, premier ocean racers, adventure sailors and sail training professionals blend their expertise into what has become the most complete and comprehensive of US Sailing endorsed safety training seminars.
  Registration online and more information can be found at http://www.mtam.org/. Sponsored by Marine Trades Association of Maryland and US Naval Academy Sailing.

Safety at Sea Seminar Scheduled at Naval Academy

  Annapolis -- The Annapolis Safety at Sea seminar will be held on April 2 and 3, 2011 in Alumni Hall on the campus of the US Naval Academy. The seminar will focus on offshore as well as inshore safety with programs of interest to both cruisers and racing sailors.
  The live on-the-water demonstrations and helicopter rescue are unmatched in this country. An ISAF certificate will be offered. Each year, technical experts, premier ocean racers, adventure sailors and sail training professionals blend their expertise into what has become the most complete and comprehensive of US Sailing endorsed safety training seminars.
  Registration online and more information can be found at http://www.mtam.org/. Sponsored by Marine Trades Association of Maryland and US Naval Academy Sailing.

Striper Bass Fishing at Chesapeak College

  Wye Mills, Md. -- Join Capt. Richie Gaines on Saturday, March 19 at Chesapeake College for a one-day seminar on how to find and catch striped bass (rockfish) throughout the different seasons on the Chesapeake Bay. All levels of anglers are welcome!
  Fishing techniques such as trolling, chumming, live lining, and light tackle will be covered along rigging, knots, and equipment selection. Gaines will also share his knowledge on how to find and fish productive locations in the mid Bay.
  Captain Richie Gaines has been guiding anglers in the Chesapeake region for over twenty years and has earned the reputation as one of the top light tackle guides on the Bay. He fishes the Bay from the Susquehanna Flats to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, moving with the fish to follow the best bite. Gaines serves as President of the Chesapeake Guides Association, is past Chairman of the Maryland Sport Fishing Advisory Commission, and has been featured in several national fishing magazines and television shows.
  The course fee for the seminar is $52.00. Participants should bring a brown bag lunch. For registration information, contact Marci Leach at mleach@chesapeake.edu or call 410-827-5833.

Build a half-hull clipper model at CBMM March 26-27

St. Michaels, Md. (February 7, 2011) -- The Model Guild at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Maryland will host a weekend model-building workshop from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27. Participants will be led step-by-step by skilled volunteer modelers to create a half-hull model of the Pride of Baltimore II. Band sawed from a block and carved to the rounded shape of the Pride’s hull, the half-hull model is then mounted on a baseboard to form a fine wall display piece.
  CBMM’s Model Guild welcomes anyone 12 years of age or older to take these classes, and encourages new members of all skill levels to participate in the guild, use its facilities, and trade model building experience with Museum visitors. Classes can accommodate six students. A special rate for a parent-child team can accommodate younger children.
  The cost for the March 26-27 workshop is $80 for CBMM members and $90 for nonmembers.
  All tools and materials are supplied. Call 410-745-2916 to register for the class or 410-745-3266 for more information. Pre-registration is required by Monday, March 21.

Fishing Stars Headline Eastern Sports Outdoor Show

HARRISBURG, Pa. (January 31, 2011) -- Hank Parker and Babe Winkelmen, two legends of the fishing world, will headline the NEW Fishing Experience at the 2011 Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show presented by Outdoor Channel and Comcast, February 5-13, State Farm Show Complex, Harrisburg.
“The NEW Fishing Experience is designed to promote fishing as well as educate and entertain fishing enthusiasts of all skill levels and ages,” said Chris O’Hara, Event Director. “In the world of fishing it doesn’t get any bigger than Hank Parker and Babe Winkelman. Their skills, accomplishments and ability to teach others are amazing.”
The NEW Fishing Experience has several elements designed to educate and entertain attendees of the Show including:
All New Seminar Stage and Demo Pool -- Try before you buy any fishing lure or rod!
Hank Parker -- Feb. 8-10 seminars at the New Seminar Stage and Demo Pool.
Babe Winkelman -- Feb. 11-13 seminars at the New Seminar Stage and Demo Pool.
Expert Trout Fishing Seminars with Frank Nale -- Feb. 5,6, 10-13
Trout Filleting and Cooking -- Learn how to properly handle your fresh catch in the field and turn it into a delicious meal when you get home.
Bass Pro Shops Hawg Tank -- Daily Seminars with Regional and National Pros and Experts.
Kids Casting Contest -- Capital City Bassmasters Casting Contest each weekend plus daily casting demos.
Kids Trout Pond
Fishing Simulator
For more information on the complete schedule of seminar speakers, visit www.easternsportshow.com.

CBMM to Host Castelli's Watermen Art

Looking for the Brass Ring / Vicious Virgin, 2006. [22 x 30] © Marc Castelli, The Simison Collection.

St. Michaels, MD (Jan. 18, 2011) -- The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels, MD, will present Marc Castelli: The Art of the Waterman, The Simison Collection in the Steamboat Gallery, January 31 through March 25. This exhibit will feature 23 paintings by renowned Chesapeake artist Marc Castelli, 17 of which were donated to the Museum from the Diane Simison collection. The remaining images are from the artist’s personal collection.

Castelli paints in watercolor on paper, working from photographs that he takes himself. This allows him not only to get the proportions and details exactly right, but it allows him to capture action and attitude that painting from life would not permit. Castelli goes out at times in awful weather—cold, wind, rain, even snow—conditions in which no one could paint. He then photographs the watermen's work in the full variety of conditions that they work in and takes those pictures back to paint in his home studio.

Diane Simison began collecting Castelli’s work in 2004. "Diane quite deliberately built this cohesive collection of Marc’s paintings of Chesapeake watermen because she was captivated by the aesthetic value," commented CBMM Chief Curator Pete Lesher. "But she was also drawn in by Castelli’s approach and message: going out on the boats with the watermen to capture aspects of their work and the hardships they face. Her chosen location for retirement on Tilghman Island, with its large community of watermen, certainly must have played a role in attracting her to this subject matter."

The exhibit is open to the public daily from 10 am- 4 pm and is free with Museum admission. For more information, visit cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.

Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau Chesapeake Bay Events Calendar 2011

January 2011

Plungefest: Polar Bear Plunge

Saturday, January 29

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Sandy Point State Park, 1100 East College Parkway, Annapolis

Admission: Free to spectators. Plungers must raise $50 in pledges.

410-789-6677, ext. 503

www.plungemd.com/index.php

Experience the coolest event of the year. For just $50 in donations, plunge participants take a chilly dip in the Chesapeake Bay to raise money for Special Olympics Maryland. Not ready to bare it all? Then join us—fully clothed—under the huge heated festival tent with vendor booths, live entertainment, food court, carnival amusements, sandcastle building, a “kids zone” and much more.

Corsica River and Ramp Frozen

The title pretty much says it all.

Boat Show Brings Baltimore Warm Thoughts and the Best Deals

Baltimore, MD (January 14, 2011) -- The Baltimore Boat Show coming to the Baltimore Convention Center later this month offers Chesapeake Bay boaters a once-a-year opportunity to shop for the best in boats, gear and accessories. A recent Foresight Research report confirms that boat shows are the only place consumers can compare different boats, models and prices from multiple dealers and view and board the boats – all under one roof.

The Foresight research also finds that:

• For those who attended a boat show, the boat show had the most influence on their decision to buy a boat (57% ranking 4 or 5 on a 5 point scale) versus their experience at a dealership (54%) and the Internet (47%).
• Buyers said boat shows have the most influence during the interest/consideration phase of the purchase process. Boat show attendees often “discover” brands they may not have known about. 
• Nearly six in ten new boat buyers (57%) attended at least one boat show in the 12 months prior to buying their boat.
• Nearly 20% of new boat buyers were first introduced to their dealer at a boat show.

“The Baltimore Boat Show is the most effective and fun way to compare boats and visit with a number of boat dealers all in one place. There’s no better way to get a great deal, while getting up close and personal with some of the region’s best and newest boats,” said show manager Tara Davis. “Whether you’re a long-time or novice boater, spending a day at the show will make sure you’re ready to hit the water just as soon as the boating season starts later this year.”

The recreational boating industry’s leading trade group, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), which produces the show, reports that there's pent-up demand for boats and hopes to find buyers come out this year given signs of economic recovery and growth in consumer spending.

The NMMA notes an estimated 66 million Americans who went boating in 2009 increased the time they spent on their boats by four percent, demonstrating boating’s popularity despite the recession. In fact, the NMMA says nearly one million Americans (933,000) bought a powerboat in 2009. Eighty-two percent were pre-owned and 18 percent new versus a normal 72 percent pre-owned indicating people are buying and want to go boating but are choosing what they perceive to be a more value-oriented approach. Manufacturers are responding by offering more value priced new boats in 2011, a number of which can be financed for less than $250 per month and can be found at the show’s Affordability Pavilion.

What’s more, the most recent data from NMMA shows that boating is still big business in the Chesapeake Bay area. The Delmarva area generated $785 million in boat and related sales in 2009 alone and is home to more than 505,000 registered boats.

The Baltimore Boat Show boasts the best in boat shopping, but also offers fun attractions and educational opportunities for boaters of all ages. Visit with Russell Newberry from Discovery Channel’s Deadliest Catch, who will be available daily to meet and greet fans. Brush up on your boating and fishing skills with free seminars from the pros at the Annapolis School of Seamanship, Chesapeake Bay Magazine and the Recreational Powerboating Association. For those with a competitive spirit, try your hand at Saturday’s Crab Pickin’ Contest to win great prizes from Crab Shanty or our Nautical Challenge Trivia Competition to win a 2011 Sea Doo GTI 130 jet ski and trailer package valued at $10,000 from Pete’s Cycle Co. All boaters can appreciate the nautical craftsmanship of long-ago days through an extensive display of vintage boats and motors by members of the Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the Antique & Classic Boat Society.

There’s also plenty to see and do for your youngest boaters, who can join in on the fun by learning their nautical knots, boat navigation and other boating skills through hands-on sessions or interacting with marine life on the Fishmobile. Don’t miss special appearances by SpongeBob Squarepants as well as a visit by special guest marine biologist and Shark Week expert Andy Dehart.

For more information on these features, including seminar schedules and appearance times, as well as a full list of activities at the show, visit www.BaltimoreBoatShow.com.

When:         January 27-30, 2011

                   Thursday and Friday, January 27-28: 11:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

                   Saturday, January 29: 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.  

                   Sunday, January 30: 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Where:        Baltimore Convention Center

                   1 West Pratt Street (at Charles Street) 

                   Baltimore, MD 21201

Tickets:       Adults $10 (16 and older)

                   Youth 15 and under are FREE with a paid adult ticket

                   **Advance tickets can be purchased online at BaltimoreBoatShow.com. 

                  

Phone:        212.984.7000

Online:        Visit us online, on Twitter and on Facebook for the latest updates and giveaways.

                  Web:  BaltimoreBoatShow.com

                   Twitter: www.twitter.com/BaltimoreBoatShow

                   Facebook: www.facebook.com/BaltimoreBoatShow

               

Media:         Visit BaltimoreBoatShow.com to sign up for a media badge or contact Christine Pomorski at 202.737-9774 or cpomorski@nmma.org for press materials, photos and interviews.

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About the Baltimore Boat Show

The 57^th annual Baltimore Boat Show is produced by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), the world’s largest producer of boat shows and the leading association representing the recreational boating industry. NMMA member companies produce more than 80 percent of the boats, engines, trailers, accessories and gear used by boaters and anglers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The association is dedicated to industry growth through programs in public policy advocacy, market statistics and research, product quality assurance and promotion of the boating lifestyle. For more information, visit www.nmma.org.