Annapolis, MD (9-16-09) Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer and the Department of Neighborhood and Environmental Programs will once again collect wine corks for recycling.

A number of Annapolis’ restaurants, wine bars and package stores will participate in the recycling effort by collecting corks from wine sold or served to their customers. Boatyard Bar & Grill, the Breeze Restaurant in Loews Hotel, Café Normandie, Galway Bay, Lewnes Steakhouse and The Rockfish will all take part in the recycling effort.

Residents can recycle too by collecting corks from their homes, or making it a community effort and collect corks from the neighborhood. Just drop off the corks in the wooden wine barrel available in the lobby of City Hall or at Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits,B. B. Bistro, Eastport Liquors, Leeward Market or Mills Fine Wine. The corks will be collected for recycling through the end of October.

The corks will be recycled by TerraCycle, an eco-friendly innovator who will be “upcycling” the used corks, both natural and synthetic, into bulletin boards. It is estimated that fifteen billion wine corks are thrown out each year in the United States, enough to circle the earth sixteen times.Last year Annapolitans collected an estimated 15,000 corks. For additional information please contact Maria Broadbent, Environmental Coordinator at 410-263-7946.

Annapolis, MD (9-14-09) – Mayor Ellen Moyer announced the city is accepting grant applications for Commercial Facade Improvements in the Annapolis Arts District.

All commercial property owners and tenants can apply for the Commercial Facade Improvement Grant money, funded by the City of Annapolis Department of Economic Affairs in the amount of $10,000 to create art related improvements to the exteriors of their buildings. Two to four grantees will be chosen and will be required to match the grant monies.

Examples of improvements that qualify for the program are artistic signage and/or lighting, an attached work of art on the façade, a mural, and an awning or door with an artistic element.Interior repairs will not qualify for the program.

The specific objectives of this program in the Annapolis Arts District are to:

• Encourage private investment in the visual improvement of buildings;
• Enhance the improvement of the streetscape with art;
• Reduce vacancies;
• Expand population of workers, residents and visitors in the Arts District; and
• Provide a catalyst for others to improve their buildings.

To request an application, call the office of Economic Affairs at 410-263-7940 or e-mail Mike Miron at MFMiron@annapolis.gov. All applications must be returned to the office of Economic Affairs before October 16, 2009.

Annapolis, MD (9-11-09) Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer announced the City of Annapolis Commission on Aging will host its Sixth Senior Forum in October.

All senior residents of Annapolis are welcome to attend the forum on Wednesday, October 7th, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Annapolis Senior Center Wiley H. Bates Heritage Park, located at 119 South Villa Avenue in Annapolis.

The forum will feature both private and municipal agency exhibitors and panelists. The purpose of the Forum is to provide seniors with the most effective resources available on topics such as healthcare, continuing care, medical products/services and legal advocacy, Alzheimer disease, Senior Center services, housing, assisted living, and finances.

The Annapolis Police Department, Fire Department, Public Works, Department of Transportation, Neighborhood and Environmental Programs, Recreation and Parks Department, and Branch Banking &Trust (BB&T) Bank will be available to share information with seniors important to quality of life issues in Annapolis. Becki Batta Annapolis Senior Center Director will speak about the services offered at the Wiley H. Bates Heritage Park Center.

For more information, contact the Office of Youth and Community Affairs at
410-280-1462

Annapolis, MD (9-10-09) Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer and the City’s Department of Neighborhood and Environmental Programs announce new opportunities for businesses to Go Green.

Two new Environmental Stewardship Certification Programs have been released. The first focuses on hotel and lodging establishments and the second concentrates on the combination of retail stores and office buildings. These programs will encourage management and staff to make their businesses more environmentally friendly.

Under the program, businesses earn points from a checklist of categories which include energy efficiency improvements, water conservation, waste management, and more. A minimum of 100 points must be earned to qualify for the initial two-year certification. Certified businesses will be given web-site recognition, a certificate and a decal to display, letting customers know about their environmental efforts.

After businesses submit their application to the Department of Neighborhood and Environmental Programs, they must meet with staff prior to being awarded certification. This gives DNEP staff an opportunity to verify points and to suggest additional improvements.

This is one of only a few true municipal certification programs in the country and is the third in a series to be awarded by the City of Annapolis. Programs already in place have award certifications for restaurants and homeowners.

The program is a partnership between the City of Annapolis, the Downtown Annapolis Partnership and the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Bureau

Free technical assistance and resource referrals are a key part of the program. This free voluntary certification program is part of the Department of Neighborhood and Environmental Program’s Sustainable Annapolis initiative. The certification workbooks can be found at SustainableAnnapolis.com.For more information contact Maria Broadbent, Environmental Program Coordinator at 410-263-7946.

Annapolis, MD (9-9-09) The City of Annapolis is pleased to present the All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis (ACCA) for their annual Patriotic Sing-a-Long in Susan Campbell Park at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11th.

This commemoration honors those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, their families and public service teams. The Chorus and audience will share musical selections recalling America’s major conflicts and include tributes to each of the armed services.

Envisioning the creation of a joyful sound that would unite the area's cultural diversity, Liz Barrett founded ACCA in the spring of 2001, and embarked on her journey to fill the community with more love, understanding, and tolerance. The Chorus first rehearsed on September 11, 2001. While looking over the children’s anxious faces, Liz realized these youngsters could be ambassadors of hope through their music. Today, ACCA is a growing, dynamic organization that mirrors the cultural, spiritual, economic, and educational diversity of our region -- singing great choral musical of artistic merit in more than a dozen languages and across theologies. The ACCA mission is to spread joy through the community through positive messages of peace and cooperation.

The City of Annapolis has sponsored this Patriotic Sing-a-Long each September 11 to bring together those in the City who remember the tragedies of terrorist action in 2001.

Audience members will receive a light stick and song sheets for the one-hour event.

Annapolis, MD (9-8-09) Mayor Ellen Moyer announces a campaign to keep the community informed on the advantages and responsibilities of owning property in the historic district.

"Our campaign is a key part of the responsibility of owning property in the historic district, said Mayor Moyer. "It reminds all of us that our architectural and landscape heritage is fragile and requires each of us to comply with the historic preservation ordinance when making changes to the exteriors of our properties, from walkways to rooftops," said Mayor Moyer.

This week, all commercial and residential property owners in the historic district will receive "A Guide to the Process" that will help individuals understand how the district regulations work. They will also receive an "Ask First" magnet that includes a phone number and e-mail address for more information.

The "Ask First" campaign was first introduced in the historic district in 2003. The downtown historic district was created by Annapolitans in 1968 and remains one of our community's greatest assets.

Annapolis, MD (09-02-09) Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer is inviting everyone to participate in a patriotic Sing-a-Long honoring the 9/11 families, all first responders, our veterans, active military and their families. The city is pleased to once again have the talents of “The All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis” at Susan Campbell Park at 7 p.m. on Friday evening, September 11, 2009.

“I am happy to provide the setting and opportunity for all Annapolitans to come together in a community outpouring of love and respect for those who have lost family members and neighbors both in America and on foreign soil,” said Mayor Moyer.

It was on September 12, 2001, that hundreds of citizens gathered spontaneously at the City Dock in Annapolis to share their shock and grief at the tragic events of the day before. In an effort to both ease their sadness and show their unwavering resolve, some began to sing. Soon, nearly every voice filled the air with the songs that are an integral part of the language of freedom.

Please join your neighbors and lift your voice at this year’s 9th annual gathering to remember and celebrate liberty.

Annapolis, MD (8-14-09) – Mayor Ellen Moyer, Senator John Astle and Delegate Ron George along with  City Council, local business leaders and residents joined together to celebrate the new businesses that have joined the community.

The Market House welcomed Atwater’s, Flowers by Donna, Homestead Market and Maryland Federation of the Arts, all joining Vaccaro’s and BankAnnapolis who stayed in the Market House during the transition.

“This is a day of celebration,” said Mayor Moyer. “Just think, it was back in 1784 that the Market House found this place at the head of City Dock, and has been a part of this community for 225 years. Today we officially welcome these businesses and thank them for their support.”

All of the vendors have agreed to a 6-month, short term lease that will end on January 3, 2010. At that time the Market House will close for renovation.

In the meantime, meetings with individuals in all 8 wards will continue as part of the ongoing discussions agreed on at the Charrette held at City Hall on May 30th.

Rhonda Wardlaw
Public Information Officer
Office (410)263-1183

Annapolis, MD (8-10-09) - Mayor Ellen Moyer announced today, the Market House will host a special Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, August 14, 2009 at 11 a.m. to celebrate the new businesses that have joined the
community.  At this event, the Market House will officially welcome Atwater’s, Flowers by Donna’s, Homestead Market and Maryland Federation of the Arts who are joining Vaccaro’s and BankAnnapolis.

Market House is a 220-year-old landmark in the center of historic downtown Annapolis’ business district whose prime mission is to provide a gathering and shopping destination for those visiting the center city.  Today, Market House is in the midst of an ongoing transformation to better meet the needs of those who shop, work, and visit Annapolis offering a variety of goods and services from locally-owned businesses. For more information about Market House, please visit www.markethouseannapolis.com.

Rhonda Wardlaw
Public Information Officer
City Of Annapolis
160 Duke of Gloucester Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
Office - 410-263-1183
Cell -   410-562-8970

Annapolis, MD (8-10-09) – The City of Annapolis is partnering with the Eastport United Methodist Church to open cooling centers for residents that do not have air conditioning or a way to stay cool during the peak of the heat.

“If you have neighbors or family members who live without air conditioning, please check on them or offer them a cooler place to stay,” said Mayor Ellen Moyer.  “A cool indoor location is the best defense against heat related illness.”

The cooling centers in Annapolis will be open at the Recreation Center at 9 Saint Mary's Street and at Eastport United Methodist Church at Bay Ridge Avenue.

Extreme Heat Guidance from the Centers for Disease Control:

People suffer heat-related illness when their bodies are unable to compensate and properly cool themselves. The body normally cools itself by sweating. But under some conditions, sweating just isn't enough. In such cases, a person's body temperature rises rapidly. Very high body temperatures may damage the brain or other vital organs.

• Elderly people (65 years and older), infants and children and people with chronic medical conditions are more prone to heat stress.
• Air-conditioning is the number one protective factor against heat-related illness and death. During conditions of extreme heat, spend time in locations with air-conditioning such as shopping malls, public libraries, or public health sponsored heat-relief shelters in your area.
• Get informed. Listen to local news and weather channels or contact your local public health department during extreme heat conditions for health and safety updates
• Drink cool, nonalcoholic beverages and increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level.
  During hot weather you will need to increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. During heavy exercise in a hot environment, drink two to four glasses (16-32 ounces) of cool fluids each hour.

Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask how much you should drink while the weather is hot.

Don't drink liquids that contain alcohol, or large amounts of sugar-these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.

Replace Salt and Minerals
Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body. These are necessary for your body and must be replaced. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. However, if you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.

Annapolis, MD (8-3-09) – Mayor Ellen Moyer announced the successful completion of the sixth Sherwin-Williams Home-Work Paint Training Program.

On Friday, July 31, 2009 fourteen team members graduated from the program created through a partnership with the Office of Youth and Community Affairs and Sherwin- Williams. Their project was to paint the interior of the city’s Department of Transportation building.

The program serves two purposes. The graduates develop a new skill that can lead to employment, while the Department of Transportation does not have to pay for the painting project valued at approximately $50,000.

Four team leaders spoke about what it meant to them to be a part of the class:

• Irving Crowdy said, "I had an attitude when I first came to class, but Mr. Kirby (Kirby McKinney) helped me see that I did not need that.  I'm glad to say, I have learned to have a positive attitude.”
• Craig Wilson, another team leader said this about his experience: “I learned that keeping my word was important.”
• Guy Massey followed with his mantra of teamwork, and
• Terron Makell, rounded out the words of encouragement to those in attendance with the most powerful word to remember, “commitment.”

Hours after the graduation, another student in the class, Norman Woolfork, II, called the Office of Youth and Community Affairs to confirm that he had just received an employment opportunity in Annapolis. The city looks forward to continuing its relationship with Sherwin-Williams next year.

For more information on this program, call the Office of Youth and Community Affairs at 410-280-1462.

City is One of Ten Finalists to Compete for the Award in the Czech Republic

Annapolis, MD (8-3-09) Mayor Ellen Moyer announced the City of Annapolis has been selected as a finalist for the International Award for Liveable Communities. The LivCom Award is the world’s only competition focused on environmental practices and creating liveable communities.

The City has been invited to participate in the 2009 LivCom finals in the Czech Republic and was selected as one of  two finalists from the United States with a population of 20,001 – 75,000 in the Whole City Award Section. The ten finalists in this population category represent one of six Countries worldwide.  The awards are endorsed by the United Nations Environment Program and partners with a Memorandum of Understanding.

Each community will be judged on how it has adopted innovative, environmentally sensitive practices and initiatives resulting in sustainable management of the environment as well as the enhancement of the air, water and land quality.

“This is an opportunity for Annapolis to be showcased worldwide for its quality of life and environmental best practice initiatives,” said Mayor Moyer.  “It also allows the delegation to learn from other countries and bring those ideas home.  With six countries represented  in our population group and a total of fifteen countries represented overall, our overarching  goal is to promote tourism by encouraging fellow finalists to visit and see these best practices in person.”

“Just to be selected as a finalist is a great distinction for Annapolis,” said Department of Neighborhood and Environmental Programs Director Michael Mallinoff. “I welcome the competition and know that we will show that our environmental leadership and best practices are working to preserve our rich and diverse history, while keeping ‘Sustainable Annapolis’ green and working to restore the Chesapeake Bay as a vibrant and healthy resource.”

The delegation from Annapolis will be in Pilsen, Czech Republic from October 8th through the 12th.

Full list of finalists in The Whole City Awards Section of LivCom 2009:

Category A   (Population up to 20,000)
BOLATICE, Czech Republic
CARLYLE, Canada
GIBSONS, Canada
JAROMER, Czech Republic
RICANY, Czech Republic
SOUTHWELL, England
TULLN AN DER DONAU, Austria       
           
Category B (Population 20,001 – 75,000)
ANNAPOLIS, USA
CANADA BAY, Australia
CHRUDIM, Czech Republic
EGER, Hungary
JIHLAVA, Czech Republic
MLADA BOLESLAV, Czech Republic
NEWARK-ON-TRENT, England
OSTROW WIELKOPOLSKI, Poland
ST. CLOUD, USA
TABOR, Czech Republic 

Category C (Population 75,001 – 200,000)
BROADLAND, England
CERGY-PONTOISE, France
HARTLEPOOL, England
KAKAMIGAHARA CITY, Japan
KLADNO, Czech Republic
LAFAYETTE, USA
MELVILLE, Australia
MIKOLOW COUNTY, Poland
NORWICH, England
ROANOKE, USA
ROCKHAMPTON REGION, Australia 
SHILONG TOWN, P.R. CHINA     

Category D (Population 200,001 – 750,000)
GOLD COAST CITY, Australia
IRBID GREATER MUNICIPALITY, Jordan
LOGAN CITY, Australia
SONGPAGU, South Korea        

Category E (Population over 750,000)
DUBAI, UAE
PEEL (Regional Municipality), Canada      
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia                  

CLASSIC CAR SHOW INCLUDED FOR NATIONAL NIGHT OUT KICK-OFF

The police department is inviting the community for a day of activities. This free, family-friendly, event is held in conjunction with the Annapolis City Police Department’s Annual “National Night Out” Crime Prevention Initiative.

For more information, contact:
Stacey Bolin
Email: sbolin@annapolis.gov

Annapolis, MD (7-13-09) Mayor Ellen O. Moyer announced that Annapolis just received the honor of being one of the Nation’s Playful City USA Communities. The City of Annapolis was honored for taking innovative approaches to make ‘play a priority’ for the health and well-being of their kids.
 
KaBOOM!, a national non-profit dedicated to bringing play-time back into children’s lives, named 93 cities and towns Playful City USA communities. These 93 communities created and implemented programs to positively impact childhood wellness, public safety and the quality of life. Communities large and small, urban and rural, created initiatives designed to increase the quantity of play and playgrounds, while improving access to existing play opportunities.

“This recognition allows Annapolis to serve as a role model for other communities across the Country, said Mayor Moyer. “Other cities and towns will examine our initiatives, overseen and implemented by Recreation and Parks Director LeeAnn Plumer, and hopefully replicate them in their communities. All Annapolis residents should take pride in knowing that what we do here is making a difference for our children and likely benefiting children across the Country.”

Takoma Park, Laurel and Greenbelt join Annapolis as cities in Maryland being honored.

Annapolis, MD (7-6-09) Annapolis Mayor Ellen O. Moyer announced the City was recognized in two national publications for being a favorite spot to raise the sails and was honored for its commitment to arts institutions and arts tourism.

USA Today chose Annapolis as one of the 10 great places for sailors to take a brand-new tack, saying, “Citizens of Newport have been known to dispute Annapolis' moniker as "America's Sailing Capital," but the city is undeniably the hub of the mid-Atlantic sailing community. While it is home for some high-profile races — and the U.S. Naval Academy — a favorite nautical amusement for many Annapolites are the Wednesday night races, sponsored by the Annapolis Yacht Club, where 150 boats or more may compete.” A photo also promotes Annapolis as the location where boats compete in the Whitbread Round the World Race sail under the twin spans of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge.

Meanwhile, AmericanStyle readers rank Annapolis among the top 25 for the Arts. The readers recommended Annapolis as a top destination for collectors and travelers who love art galleries, museums and festivals. Annapolis was ranked 15 among cities of similar population and size. Complete results of the annual readers’ poll are featured on www.americanstyle.com.

“We take pride in knowing Annapolis is diverse in what it offers to visitors and residents,” said Mayor Moyer. “It is however always pleasant to hear others talk about how special our city is, and be reminded that they come here to enjoy what we have available to us around 24/7.”

Annapolis, MD (7-7-09) Annapolis Mayor Ellen O. Moyer announced that Café Normandie, Galway Bay and Leeward Market join the ranks of a growing list of restaurants to Go Green in Annapolis. These restaurants have become the latest Certified Environmental Stewards.

Under the program, the restaurants earned points from a checklist of categories including serving local food, energy efficiency improvements, water conservation, environmental education efforts and more. One hundred out of seven hundred available points must be earned to qualify for the initial two-year certification. Certified businesses are given web-site recognition, a certificate and a decal to display to let their customers know about their environmental efforts.

Café Normandie, an established French restaurant at 185 Main Street, is a real leader in energy conservation and waste reduction. Restaurant owner, Jean-Louis Enennou, hauls the restaurant’s recyclables to the Anne Arundel County recycling facility, compost all of his own food scraps and makes his own biodiesel fuel from the restaurant’s used oil.

Galway Bay, 63 Maryland Ave, manager Anthony Clarke, works closely with distributors to find sources of fresh, local meat and produce. The popular Irish restaurant has a comprehensive training program for their staff including special instruction on their allergen-free and gluten-free menus.

Leeward Market, at the corner of Second and Chester Streets in Eastport, is a great source of local produce, both in their menu and for sale for you to buy and cook at home. Owner, Lisa Park, has found creative ways to reduce the café’s waste and is adamant about recycling.

This free voluntary certification program is part of the Department of Neighborhood and Environmental Program’s Sustainable Annapolis initiative. For more information contact Maria Broadbent, Environmental Program Coordinator at 410-263-7946 or visit the City of Annapolis website at www.annapolis.gov.