What's Up Magazines

What a pleasure it was on Saturday last to participate in the European Union’s open houses at several embassies in Washington, D.C. My husband Bob Felter and I enjoyed calling at the German Embassy on Reservoir Road, where we gathered up commercial and tourism information, toured the gardens, ate bratwurst and met the German ambassador. Visitors also enjoyed free chocolates, various wines, other sausages and pastries – yum! In addition we were allowed to see the first floor of the ambassador’s private...

I have to admit to being highly prejudiced about the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, having served on its board for nearly a decade, and I must confess a love for classical music. We are most fortunate to have such an orchestra right here. So I’m sharing some news about the composition competition as it comes to a close.Classical music lovers in this area who have been following the Charter 300 Composer Competition with the ASO have only to wait until the end of May to learn who won. The final selection...

The circus is coming, the circus is coming!For those of you who like taking your kids or grandkids to see pachyderms, acrobats, trapeze artists, a human cannonball and colorful costumes, the Cole Bros. Circus comes to town Wednesday, May 7, and Thursday, May 8, at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds in Crownsville. Two shows are scheduled, at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. daily. Get there early in the morning, like 7 a.m., and watch the elephants help raise the tents!The Annapolis Optimist Club is again sponsoring...

I thank the Washington Post for last Sunday’s Outlook section which addressed eco-issues from the perspective of “green” legislation and personal strategies to contribute to a smaller carbon footprint. After reading Steven Mufson’s article on “Is This Green Enough? We Can Clean Up Our Act, But It’ll Cost Us,” I feel educated about the pros and cons of corporate trade-offs and credits on emissions, potential legislation, the positions of presidential candidates, and even the futility we all feel at...

Good morning on this Earth Day! Are you doing anything special this day to take care of our planet?I don't claim to be the world's best caretaker, but I try.We recycle our newspapers  - I'm sorry, I don't want to read online - I work at a computer all day, and sitting on the living room sofa reading a newspaper with a drink (tea, soda, water, lemonade or wine if it's evening) is satisfying. It also helps with computer eye strain, and no wrist motion is necessary except to turn the page! At any rate,...

My blog of social events and people is a few days behind on the schedule, and there’s lots to see and do in town!St. John’s College always something good to offer, including “Imagine and Imagination: Anne Arundel County Juried Exhibition” with works by our friends and neighbors included in the show May 28 to June 11. Presented in a variety of media by amateurs and professionals, the Mitchell Gallery show will be judged by nationally known curator Stephen Bennett Phillips. Stephen is associate curator...

I appreciate those who responded to my tirade against drivers who throw their cigarettesetc., out their car windows. I'm printing about 125 bumper stickers with the words: Earth isyour outdoor living room. Use your ashtray. (As in you wouldn't throw your cigarettes on yourinside living room floor, would you? Or maybe you would....). I plan to sell them for a rea-sonable price with proceeds to benefit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Jimmy Martin at Free State Press is taking care of my order and as...

Here’s information on some events happening around the city (and our “suburbs”) that What’s Up? Publishing recently received past our print deadlines. So I’m publicizing them on line. Just a reminder that the London Town Foundation, which supports Historic London Town and Gardens in Edgewater, is having a spring benefit for the first time ever.“Rediscovering London Town” will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. this Friday, March 28, at the Visitors Center at 839 Londontown Road, with a silent auction, cocktails,...

Free and open to the public, St. John’s College’s graduation (on May 11 at 10:30 a.m. on the front campus) is simple and rich with tradition. Eva Brann, the college’s longest-serving tutor, will carry the ceremonial mace, an ornamental staff borne as a symbol of authority, when she leads the procession of faculty and students on the tree-lined front walk to the graduation site. There on the front campus a handful of prizes and honorable mentions will be awarded before each student...

Welcome to my blog –which will cover what’s happening in town, thoughts about the cultural arts and how you can support various causes, and, in general, my quirky opinions and protests. For instance, this morning on the way to work, I noticed a driver tossing a cigarette out of her car window. Hello, do you have an ashtray? We’re trying to clean up the Bay! Earth is your outdoor living room – do you throw cigarette butts on your floor at home? If the traffic weren’t so bad, I’d get...