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This is a very fun weekend in Calvert County and for all of Southern Maryland. Tomorrow is the official opening of the Calvert County Fair. On Thursday (9/25), the world-famed Bread and Puppet Theater opens at St. Mary’s College.
I am quite proud of the fact that the Calvert County Fair is not only a fun and educational event, but 
also cares for the needs of our Calvert County residents. The 122nd Calvert County Fair will open Wednesday evening with a special “Feed The Needy Night” Entrance fee is only $1.00 or a can donation (14oz or larger). The main gate will open at 4 p.m.
On Thursday (9/25), the fair will sponsor a free admission and lunch for seniors and the handicapped. Free admission hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. with lunch served at noon.
On Friday (9/26), Calvert County schools will close so that all the children may participate in the Calvert County Fair’s Youth Day.
One event you may not want to miss is the appearance of the former Redskins’ Pat Fischer and Ron McDole, who will be signing autographs on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. There will even be an appearance by Elvis (Joe Godbold). Other events and demonstrations include a baby contest, a prince and princess contest, pie-eating, wood carving, an antique tractor pull and so much more.
Calvert County’s Fair has long roots dating back to 1886. In 1940, the all volunteer Fair Board was established. The goal of the Calvert County Fair is to provide agricultural education, promote local farming and historic preservation.
In St. Mary’s City, the campus of St. Mary’s College will become the playground of giant puppets when the world famous Bread and Puppet Theater returns. This event is a combination of workshops, theatrical performance, circus and free bread. The event will conclude with an outdoor performance at 2 p.m. on Saturday (9/27) which is free to the public. The free bread is served to remind those attending that the theater and art is the ”bread of life”.
The New York Times has named the Bread and Puppet Theater a ”living national treasure” and The Christian Science Monitor is quoted as saying: “To live in America and never see the Bread and Puppet Theater perform is like living in Egypt and never seeing the pyramids.” The troupe has received many awards and is internationally recognized.
It is the combination of the gathering of local talent and the traveling theater troupe that makes this such a marvelous event. In just two short days after attending the workshops and intense rehearsals, the locals and the troupe give their all in the legendary performance of “The Sourdough Philosophy Circus”.
The local community and college students are invited to become involved in the various workshops and performance. Workshops include puppeteering, music and masked dancing. For information on participating in the workshops and/or seeing the performance you can attend an orientation on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
The Bread and Puppet theater is quite magical, but the troupe is known for its politically radical view points. So, attend at “your own risk”. The shows use dancing, music and old-fashioned slapstick comedy to communicate their point of view.
Maryland is working to be smart for generations to come.
With the recent rise in food prices, gas at the pumps and energy-related items, sustainable living has come to the forefront as a priority issue for many states and individuals. People are buying hybrid cars and planting drought-resistant gardens. States are looking for renewable energy sources and smart growth options.
Have you ever wanted to make or influence decisions that could affect generations to come? And, in turn have those generations look back and say thank you for the smart decisions that you made? Well, now you can!
The State of Maryland has made future growth and how to grow a top priority. In January 2008, Maryland’s Planning Department formed the Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development in Maryland. The aim of the 21 member task force is to study smart growth and land usage.
The Task Force on the Future for Growth and Development in Maryland wants your opinion. Listening Sessions have been scheduled throughout the state. You are invited to attend the town hall style meetings which will be held in the evenings at 6:30 p.m. Your opinions matter. So, please plan to participate. Discussions will include: smart sustainable growth and a healthy environment, smart regional development, smart growth and transportation, smart growth and schools, as well as historic preservation. Community leaders will moderate the Listening sessions.
The Task Force after studying these topics and more will be formulating a report which is to be submitted to the Planning Department on December 1, 2008. Upon completion of the report the Task Force will continue to serve as an advisory board to the Governor’s Smart Growth Subcabinet.
Schedule and Locations:
Monday, September 22nd at MDP Office in Baltimore, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, October 15th at MDP Office in Baltimore, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday, October 27th at MDP Office in Baltimore, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 12th at MDP Office in Baltimore, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday, November 24th, (Location TBA if needed)
Note: schedule is subject to change, please check with the Task Force website.
Related Article:
Political History of Maryland’s Smart Growth Initiative
Securing Maryland’s Economic Future
You can smile in Calvert County while sipping a worthy glass of wine by the bay when you support your local Boys and Girls Club as well as the SMILE Food Pantry.
This Saturday (Sept. 13 at 5 p.m.), The Bayside Boys and Girls Club in North Beach will have the Chesapeake Bay sparkling with their third annual event.
”Sparkle by the Bay” is a fundraiser that entertains guests with a bit of jazz while they enjoy a taste of Maryland red and white wines. This event combines local art, soft jazz, wine tasting, and a buffet on the North Beach Boardwalk, overing looks the bay.
The work of local artisans featuring jewelry, wine glasses and oil painting will be available to purchase. There will also be a silent auction for many and varied items.
Tickets are $50, a $25 savings over last year’s event. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the function. All the funds raised will benefit the local children of Calvert County’s Bayside Boys and Girls Club.
Participating wineries include: Boordy’s Winery, Prince Frederick winery, Running Hare Winery, Solomons Islands Winery, and Woodhall Wine Cellars of Parkton. Bay Wine and Spirits of North Beach will once again be setting up and keeping everything running smoothly.
To purchase advance tickets call 410-326-2200, or via the website: www.bbgcsm.net.
SMILE and the whole world smiles with you. Well, maybe not the whole world, but at least 900 families as well as the volunteers of the SMILE Ecumenical Ministries food program.
Currently, the cupboards for the pantry are a little bare and your help is needed to fill them. The Maryland Food Bank generally donates large quantities of food, but unfortunately, the food bank has not been able to send food for several weeks.
The pantry stocks all essential kitchen items and even stocks back-to-school items for school age children. A back-to-school packet contains loose-leaf paper, two folders, pens and pencils. The pantry shelves also include personal toiletry items.
Along with the staples they receive, customers are encouraged to let the staff know if there is a particular item they are in need of or running out of.
The pantry works to keep its shelves stocked through proceeds from their thrift shop sales. The community participates with food drives by local churches, schools, businesses and individual donations. Food Lion donates perishable foods and the Feed the Hungry Program supplies venison donated by local hunters. Food products, personal hygiene and monetary donations are always welcomed.
To contact SMILE for more information or to donate just call 410-326-0009. You may also visit their website: http://www.smileinc.org
Everyone dreams about being rich and it seems that many of the residents in Calvert County have attained that goal. According to a new report from the U. S. Census Bureau, Calvert County is one of the richest 
counties in the nation (based on population). Calvert County came in second for the highest median income with Hunterdon County, N. J. ranking number one. Similar sized counties in Maryland and Virginia, with access to the metro areas of Baltimore and D.C., also fared well in the report.
The Census Bureau also reported that for the second year in a row, the State of Maryland was ranked as the second richest state in the country. Maryland’s median household income is reported to be $68,060. The American Community Survey reports the median income for Calvert County as $95,134. That is a 12% increase over 2006 figures.
We are in a slow economy. There is no doubt about that. Despite this fact, the overall median household income in the United States increased by 1.3%. That makes 2007 the third straight year to show an overall increase for American households. Unfortunately, the poverty rates have increased as well. The poverty rate in Calvert County rose by 2% in 2007 to 4.8%. Although, the poverty level rose, it is still well below the national average of 12.5% and the state’s average of 7.8%.
Calvert County is a “bedroom” community with many of its residents holding skilled professional jobs in the metro areas of Baltimore and Washington, D.C. However, the economy in Calvert County is increasing as well. Calvert County has experienced a job growth of 7.5%.
I am sure you know that the mantra in real estate is Location. Calvert County is a model of that mantra. The County’s strategic location enables its residents to participate in a strong and stable job market, which also happens to be one of the highest paying in the nation. While a good job market is important and the monetary benefits are wonderful, Calvert County is rich in many other ways as well. Calvert County enjoys a great mass transit system, good schools, wonderful amenities, natural beauty, “small town” living, and access to year-round recreation, indoors or out. In addition, the leadership of Calvert County is committed to its citizens and as part of that commitment has a strong focus on land preservation for the enjoyment of generations to come.
Although Calvert County has a majority population which enjoys a high wage income, the communities of Calvert County offer a large number of single family homes in varying price ranges. So, come on home to the good life in Calvert County, Maryland.
Take a peek at some of our wonderful communities:
