Drink beer and restore the Chesapeake Bay – all year round.

Nearly 5 million Americans have hepatitis C, including more than 28,000 in the Baltimore area, but 75% of those infected don’t know it because the disease may be symptomless for decades.

Of the 5 million Americans infected with hepatitis C, 82% are baby boomers (those born between 1945 and 1965). However, 80% of boomers do not consider themselves at any risk for the disease, according to a new national survey by the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) released in advance of National Hepatitis Testing Day (May 19). This survey is part of a new AGA campaign called I.D. Hep C that aims to educate boomers on hepatitis C and their need for screening. By visiting www.IDHepC.org, boomers can learn more and find information on where to get tested.

Street closures and parking restrictions will be in effect this weekend in the Historic District and West Annapolis in connection with the TriRock Annapolis Sprint Triathlon, this Saturday, May 12.

In his monthly update, Mayor Josh Cohen updates Annapolitans on the budget process and its timeline, the Compromise Street Project, and the big picture conversation surrounding what to do with City Dock. Talk back, Annapolis!

The local artists group Art Between The Creeks (ABTC) invites the public to its spring show, “Tidal,” June 1-3 at Backyard Boats at 222 Severn Avenue in the Eastport section of Annapolis. Known for creating Soho-style warehouse gallery shows in working boatyards, ABTC artists build and produce their own shows. The “Tidal” show will feature work by 16 artists who live or work in peninsular Eastport, between Spa and Back Creeks, from contemporary painting and photography to mixed media creations and sculpture.

The show, which is free and open to the public, kicks off with a special show preview from 3 to 5 p.m. immediately followed by an opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. in the historic Backyard Boats warehouse on Friday, June 1. Art lovers who do not like crowds tend to enjoy strolling through a sunny gallery (dogs and kids of all ages are welcome) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 2. On Sunday, artists will offer extra small works for the bin Sunday “tent” sale from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Please direct all inquiries to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Photo: Local art lovers will enjoy the Art Between the Creeks opening reception in the historic Backyard Boats warehouse on Friday, June 1 from 6 to 9pm. Photo by John Bildahl.

Five Eastern Shore counties have joined in an effort to form a re-enactor militia unit to participate in and promote regional activities associated with the bicentennial of the War of 1812.

The tourism departments of Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Caroline and Dorchester counties committed a share of the matching funds for the state’s Star-Spangled 200 grant. The grant application was sent out last week.

The proposal is to provide enough equipment and uniforms to outfit 15-members of a recreated Eastern Shore militia unit based on research of the 21st Maryland Militia company that won the Battle of Caulk’s Field on Aug. 30-31, 1814. The unit would be used in parades, encampments, exhibits, promotional efforts and other activities in the five-county region during and after the bicentennial years 2012 to 2015.

The estimated cost of the program is $94,570, which would be funded by the grant, cash and in-kind contributions and dona- tions. The costs include material for the uniforms, muskets, planning, maintenance and storage and promotion.

The concept was developed by Friends of Kent County Maryland War of 1812 committee and the Kent County Office of Tour- ism & Economic Development. The committee’s membership includes re-enactors, historians and members of the business community. The committee meets weekly at the county offices at 400 High St. “We are delighted to be working on such an important regional project, said Bernadette Van Pelt, Director of the Kent County Office of Tourism & Economic Development, the tourism economic impact will be significant throughout and after the Bicentennial period.”

Partnering with the Eastern Shore War of 1812 Consortium, events within the five-county region will be identified to include the first of its kind militia unit. In Kent County, numerous bicentennial activities are planned, including an annual dedication at the site of the Caulk’s Field battle memorial; a re-enactment of the Battle of Caulk’s Field in 2014; re-enactments of the at- tack on Georgetown and Kitty Knight’s confrontation with the British, to name a few. The effort will include educational and promotional activities to offer area residents and visitors a more complete picture of the impacts and results of the war that some have labeled as the national “second war of independence,” fought over maritime rights and border disputes. During the war the “Star-Spangled Banner” was written and the public buildings in Washington burned.

The Friends of Kent County Maryland War of 1812 committee will participate in the Dogwood Festival, Saturday, May 12, at Galena, with a parade entry. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. There will be a booth where committee members will be available to provide information on the history of the war and activities planned around the bicentennial. Commemorative hats, satchels and T-shirts will be available for sale.
And remember to ring your bells at noon on June 18, the anniversary of the war’s start and the kickoff of the bicentennial. Any- one can participate in this event, with a bell, large or small! For more information, see the website http://kentcounty1812.org.

There's no better time than the Spring to get out and enjoy all of the amazing benefits of living in and around Annapolis and the Eastern Shore. Here are our top pics for living in the Land of Pleasant Living.

Calling all Artists!

What’s Up? Annapolis Magazine is offering a local artist an unprecedented opportunity to have their artwork appear in over 60,000 homes!

In celebration of our 15th year of supporting the arts of greater Annapolis, our November issue will feature the artwork of a known, or soon to be known, hometown artist.  This is a rare chance for your artwork to be seen by our estimated 214,000 local readers.

Specifications:

The theme of the piece should focus on an aspect of the Chesapeake region.  It should be easily identifiable as portraying local features.

Please remember that the winning piece will be chosen on its merits as a cover of a magazine.  It should be vibrant, attractive, and draw the viewer in.  We encourage each artist to carefully look at one of our covers and take into consideration the placement of the masthead and upc label, which are the two cover items that will definitely appear on the cover/art.  Also, consider good use of space for cover text, i.e. solid or semi-solid colors are good for text overlay.

The artwork must be original and made specifically for the November cover.

Physical parameters are 9” x 12” for the artwork.  If the medium is not flat, a quality photograph of the same size will be accepted.

Artwork must be submitted by July 1, 2012, to:

What’s Up? Media
c/o James Houck
929 West Street, Suite 208A
Annapolis, MD 21401

Artwork will not be accepted after this date.

The Grand Finale of the annual Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage (MHGP) returns to the Ellicott City area on Saturday, May 19 and northern Anne Arundel County on Sunday, May 20. Tours are $30 in advance or $35 the day of the tour, and lunches will be available on both tours for an additional charge. Those on the Anne Arundel tour may choose to have lunch at the exclusive Gibson Island Club. In Howard County lunch will be served in the period Refectory Room of the Shrine of St. Anthony. Seven sites will be toured in Howard and eight in Anne Arundel County.

In Anne Arundel County one of the tours highlights is Whitehall located on Whitehall Bay with a view of the Chesapeake. It has never before been included on a MHGP tour. The elegant Palladian home of Provincial Governor Horatio Sharpe (1753-1768) was the first dwelling in America with a full-temple portico. After an extensive restoration in the 1950s the house was named a National Historic landmark.

The Ellicott City area of Howard County is a focus of this year’s tour. The town was founded in 1772 and today the entire Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places. One of the most imposing homes on the tour is Waverly, the home of Maryland’s 25th governor. It is 75 feet long and constructed of stone. Visitors will appreciate the three large double chimneys and canopied doorway. Richland Farm, c1781, is an antique dealer’s dream with original furniture (discovered in the attic) that graces this eight-bedroom home.

This year’s tours celebrate a 75-year Maryland tradition, offering visitors the opportunity to explore some of Maryland's most fascinating and noteworthy properties. The 2012 tour included more than 50 private homes, gardens, farms, churches and historic sites across five Maryland jurisdictions. The tours to Baltimore City (Bolton Hill); St. Mary’s County and Talbot County have concluded. The weekend of May 19-20 will feature the Grand Finale of the tours in Howard and Anne Arundel Counties.

The annual spring tours are a central component of the MHGP’s efforts to cultivate awareness of Maryland’s rich architectural and cultural heritage, from historic to contemporary settings. Each year, proceeds from the tour support designated preservation projects in each host community. To date, the Pilgrimage has raised well over $1 million for the preservation and restoration of architecturally significant properties throughout the State of Maryland, while entertaining and informing many thousands of tour-goers.

“In this 75th year, we are proud to present so many unique and vastly different types of properties,” said Diane Savage, Chairman, MHGP. “guests will see the rarely open Whitehall Estate in Anne Arundel County, and an outstanding collection of 18th and 19th century sites in Howard County.”

To contact a county chair or for specific county tour details, please call Margaret Powell, MHGP Executive Director, at 410-821-6933. For more information, tour details and tickets, visit www.mhgp.org or call 410-821-6933, Monday - Thursday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., or send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Midfielder Kyle Dixon was named the Major League Lacrosse (MLL) Offensive Player of the Week for week two of the 2012 season. With ten points on four goals and three assists, Dixon led the Bayhawks to a 23-11 victory over the Ohio Machine before a franchise-record crowd of 10,162 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Saturday, May 5^th.