Annapolis Capital Punishment

May is National Preservation Month

"Old is the New Green": this is the 2010 Preservation Month theme! The National Trust for Historic Preservation hopes to inspire sustainability through adaptation and reuse, especially of historic structures, this month. How are you planning to celebrate preservation month? Look no further than the Maryland Historical Trust's new online calendar of events taking place throughout the state. This handy tool will open up a wealth of opportunities to discover how preservation can impact your life.   To kick off the celebration, participate in the annual Historic Annapolis Scavenger Hunt sponsored by The Annapolis Historic Preservation Commission, Downtown Annapolis Partnership, and the Four Rivers Heritage Area. Starting on May 1 and running for three weeks, the Scavenger Hunt features 20 architectural hidden treasures. Brochures will be available on the City's website beginning on May 1. Winners will be drawn from the correct entries the last Sunday of May at the City's Farmer's Market at City Dock. Contact Patricia Blick Chief of Historic Preservation at 410-263-7961 ext. 7790 or pmblick@annapolis.gov for details.

Heritage Sites Invited to Display at MD Welcome Center Festival

On Friday, May 14, Four Rivers is taking part in the "I-95 North" Maryland Welcome Center's annual Tourism Festival, and your site or organization is invited to join us, to meet and greet the traveling public! This year, National Tourism Week is celebrated May 8th through the 16th, and Maryland is always a "hot spot" for travelers!   The "I-95 North" Maryland Welcome Center is located in Savage, MD, just north of Laurel. Participants are asked to provide their own tables, chairs and decorations (displays, signs, posters, balloons, etc.) Don't forget to bring plenty of give-aways for visitors! Organizations interested in participating in the Tourism Festival should contact Margie Long, I-95 North Welcome Center Supervisor, at 301-490-1333 or via e-mail, mlong@visitmaryland.org.

Annapolis Maritime Museum Permanent Exhibit Opens to Public

The Annapolis Maritime Museum invites you to experience Oysters on the Half Shell, their permanent, million-dollar exhibition about bay life. The exhibition features a variety of displays including a 850-gallon aquarium showing the bay water-cleaning power of a living oyster reef; a "larger-than-life" model of a real oyster; touch screen videos with educational information about harvesting and shucking oysters, and the life of Maryland's watermen and women; historical images and artifacts telling the story of McNasby's Oyster Company; lenticular images (that change as you move around them!) showing how much change has taken place in the area since the early 20th century. Finally, a favorite of the kids, is a  full-size deadrise workboat, Miss Lonesome, that anyone can board and experience "life on the water."   The museum is open daily from noon until 4 pm and admission is free (donations are always gratefully accepted). For more information, call the museum staff at 410-295-0104.

Chesapeake Green Living Festival - Don't Miss It!

Interested in learning how to live "green," to save water, energy, and money too? Join Annapolis Green and City Dock Productions for the Chesapeake Green Living Festival, May 15 and 16, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., in the David S. Jenkins Gymnasium at the Anne Arundel Community College, Arnold Campus, 101 College Parkway.   The festival will feature over 80 exhibitors, eco-speakers and celebrities, earth-friendly products, food tastings, door prizes, kids activities, and - for the grown-ups - a beer and wine happy hour. Rain or shine - this is an indoor festival. Visit www.chesapeakegreenlivingfestival.com for ticket information - available soon!

MAY DAY, MAY DAY! It's May Day this weekend!

Saturday, May 1, is the official "May Day" here in the Heritage Area and beyond. The City of Annapolis will be holding its annual May Day Basket competition that day, so come down to the Historic District to see dozens of homes and fences adorned with beautiful flower arrangements. To enter the competition, make sure your arrangement has a name and address tag for publication purposes. Children 12 and under may also enter; click here for details.

Walk for the Animals in Quiet Waters Park, May 2.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) is holding its 19th annual Walk for the Animals at beautiful Quiet Waters Park this Sunday, May 2, from 8 am to noon. Prizes and give-aways! Pet pictures! K-9 demonstrations! Well-behaved pets on leashes are welcome, even if not walking.   Donations and pledges benefit the SPCA of Anne Arundel County. For a downloadable brochure, click here.

LISTEN TO CP Publisher Paul Foer on 1430WNAV at 8:15 every weekday morning or click on the WNAV icon to the right. READ CP Publisher Paul Foer's "The Ninth Ward" every Wednesday in The Capital.www.capitalonline.com Identified comments are always welcome. ALL ANONYMOUS COMMENTS will be automatically rejected without being opened.