“The proceeds from the sale of the Black Bear Stamp and other related products are used to compensate farmers in Maryland experiencing agricultural damage caused by black bears,” said Jonathan McKnight, acting Director of DNR’s Wildlife & Heritage Service.

All entries must be original, previously unreleased artwork. Each contestant may submit one entry for a non-refundable $10 entry fee. Contest entries will be judged on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at the Patuxent National Wildlife Visitors Center in Laurel, Md., in conjunction with the 20th Annual Patuxent Wildlife Art Show.

For contest rules and more information visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/bbcp/bbstampcontest.html, call Doug Wigfield at 410-713-3852 or e-mail dwigfield2@dnr.state.md.us.

All entered designs must be the artist’s original work, neither copied nor duplicated from any previously published paintings, drawings, prints, or photographs of the contestant, or any other artist. Each contestant may submit up to three entries. The entry fee, signed “Agreement to Enter the Contest” form, and entries with completed “Entry Identification Forms” attached to the back must be received via mail by 4:00 p.m. on March 20, 2009 at The Maryland Migratory Game Bird Stamp Design Contest, Friends of Patuxent, Patuxent Research Refuge/National Wildlife Visitor Center, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop Laurel, MD 20708-4027.

Entries will be judged at noon on Saturday, March 28, 2009 in conjunction with the 20th Annual Patuxent Wildlife Art Show at the National Wildlife Visitors Center in Laurel. Contestants and the public are invited to attend the contest judging process. Admission is free.

The stamp can be purchased by any citizen for $9 and is required for all migratory game bird hunters in Maryland. For a list of species eligible for depiction and full contest rules visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/duckstamp or contact Doug Wigfield, Contest Coordinator, at 410-713-3852 or dwigfield2@dnr.state.md.us.

Come see the new playground and enjoy some hot cocoa and candy canes with Santa.

The Kidney Transplant Clinic is an affiliate of the University of Maryland Medical Center transplant program. As coordinator, Rosenberry will oversee the process of evaluating and preparing individuals who are candidates for kidney transplant. By operating this clinic in Easton, Shore Health System will offer residents of the Eastern Shore world class care with University of Maryland School of Medicine transplant specialists while reducing travel to Baltimore prior to surgery.

Rosenberry is also working with the University of Maryland Medical System to develop a Vascular Access Program. This program will expedite surgical services that prepare individuals for long-term dialysis treatment.

A registered nurse, Rosenberry is a graduate of the Chesapeake College Macqueen Gibbs Willis School of Nursing and the Talbot County Vocational Technical School. Her 25-year nursing career began in 1983 as a staff nurse at Memorial Hospital. Her Shore Health System career includes patient care and office management positions for several Shore Clinical Foundation physician practices. She acquired additional expertise in the treatment of kidney disease as a dialysis nurse, clinical coordinator and patient educator for the DaVita® outpatient dialysis clinics located at Dorchester General Hospital in Cambridge and in Easton.

Rosenberry, who lives in Cordova, is enrolled in the bachelor of nursing program at Stevenson University (formerly Villa Julie College) in Baltimore County. She is a member of the American Nephrology Nurses Association and the Maryland Nurses Association.

“Trish has been a member of the Shore Health System nursing team for many years,” says Chris Mitchell, MSN, RN, director of emergency and outpatient services. “She brings a great knowledge base and background in renal disease, patient care and clinical practice management to this new position and to these valuable new programs.”

Carroll County receives $64,850 for improvements at Bennett Cerf Park in Westminster, including installation of a climbing wall, an new outdoor pavilion and picnic tables; and $90,000 for a new pavilion and expansion of the playground at Robert’s Mill Park in Taneytown. Port Deposit in Cecil County gets $119,773 for improvements to the playground area at Marina Park.

Charles County will receive $63,000 to install energy-efficient outdoor recreational lighting at Laurel Springs Park’s youth baseball field in La Plata. Dorchester County will receive $28,800 for repairs of the parking lot at J. Edward Walter Park in Cambridge.

Thurmont in Frederick County will receive $28,500 to help finance refurbishing one of the original trolley cars that served Thurmont and installing a covered bridge to serve as a pedestrian and bike path to complete the Thurmont Memorial Park trolley trail. Prince Georges County will receive $367,000 to begin a 1.6-mile extension of the 5.7-mile bike, pedestrian and equestrian trails in Henson Creek Stream Valley Park in Temple Hills.

Queen Anne’s County will receive $45,000 for improvements to the athletic fields at Old Love Point Park in Stevensville.

Since 2007, Governor O’Malley and the Board of Public Works have preserved over 9,987 acres of natural areas for public recreation and watershed and wildlife protection across Maryland. Since 1969, Program Open Space has protected more than 327,460 acres with funds from a percentage of the real estate transfer tax. Most Maryland residents live within 15 minutes of an open space or recreational area funded by Program Open Space.

The three-member Board of Public Works, chaired by Governor O’Malley, is comprised of Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot. The BPW is authorized by the General Assembly to approve major construction and consultant contracts, equipment purchases, property transactions and other procurement actions.

“My family has lived in the Smith Island/Crisfield region for 14 generations,” said Dr. Tyler. “I am thrilled to serve a facility so important to this area. I look forward to working with the Commission, slip holders and community to make Somers Cove Marina an even more valuable asset and have it be recognized as a premiere destination on the Chesapeake Bay.”

Dr. Tyler recently retired after serving 28 years in the Somerset County school system, most recently as a principal. He holds a doctorate in education.

“Dr. Tyler’s deep ties to the community, experience as an educator and project manager coupled with his excellent communication skills and abounding enthusiasm will result in sound management of Somers Cove Marina,” said Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin.

The interview panel was made up of representatives from Somerset County, the City of Crisfield, and the Department of Natural Resources.

The State of Maryland officially transfers the operation of the marina to the Somers Cove Marina Commission on January 1, 2009. For more information on Somers Cove, visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/eastern/somerscove.html

“Join the experienced staff of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Schrader’s Bridgetown Manor and Blue Stem Farms for two days you will never forget,” said Karina Stonesifer, DNR’s BOW state coordinator. If you have ever wanted to experience goose hunting on Maryland’s Eastern Shore but were not sure how to get started, then this is the clinic for you.”

Friday, January 2 takes place at Schrader’s Bridgetown Manor, located in Caroline County.

Classroom instruction will focus on the how’s and why’s of waterfowl hunting – safety, regulations, hunting skills, and techniques. Participants will also experience shooting sporting clays and a take a tour of Bridgetown Manor. A retriever dog demo will also be included.

On Saturday, January 3, the group travels to Blue Stem Farms in Queen Anne’s County, to participate in a real Eastern Shore guided goose hunt.

“Hopefully, you will go home with a goose and some wonderful memories,” said Stonesifer.

The fee for the workshop is $185, including registration, lodging, instruction, meals, a round of sporting clays, and shotgun shells. All participants must posses a valid Maryland Hunting License, a Migratory Game Bird Stamp and a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp.

Apply online at /wildlife/beyondbowevents.html or contact Patty Allen at 410-260-8537. There are only 15 slots available.

“Join the experienced staff of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Schrader’s Bridgetown Manor and Blue Stem Farms for two days you will never forget,” said Karina Stonesifer, DNR’s BOW state coordinator. If you have ever wanted to experience goose hunting on Maryland’s Eastern Shore but were not sure how to get started, then this is the clinic for you.”

Friday, January 2 takes place at Schrader’s Bridgetown Manor, located in Caroline County.

Classroom instruction will focus on the how’s and why’s of waterfowl hunting – safety, regulations, hunting skills, and techniques. Participants will also experience shooting sporting clays and a take a tour of Bridgetown Manor. A retriever dog demo will also be included.

On Saturday, January 3, the group travels to Blue Stem Farms in Queen Anne’s County, to participate in a real Eastern Shore guided goose hunt.

“Hopefully, you will go home with a goose and some wonderful memories,” said Stonesifer.

The fee for the workshop is $185, including registration, lodging, instruction, meals, a round of sporting clays, and shotgun shells. All participants must posses a valid Maryland Hunting License, a Migratory Game Bird Stamp and a Federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp.

Apply online at /wildlife/beyondbowevents.html or contact Patty Allen at 410-260-8537. There are only 15 slots available.

December 6^th

^{FOOD, FUN, AND SHOPPING!!!}

ALL SHOPS WILL BE OPEN AT LEAST FROM 11-6 Friday, Saturday and Sunday

2pm-4pm

Pictures with Santa

Skip the long lines and high prices at the mall this year!

Bring the kids to downtown Stevensville…

v Pictures with Santa

v Reading by Mrs. Claus, Twas the Night Before Christmas

v SPECIAL GUEST: Face Painting by Girl and a Brush (inside Sandy Feet)

11am-4pm

KIFA Holiday Art show

Find unique gifts and one-of-a-kind art from local artists

2pm-5pm

in Bannon Studio

Bannon Student Art Show

Local art from students around the area.

4pm-8pm

Art Reception

in Island Studio

Featuring Jeanne Noble and Thelma Green

Enjoy wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Also:

FREE holiday treats in every shop.

Dinner specials at No Place

Special drawing for visiting all participating shops:

Sandy Feet, Rustico, Artists at Work, Bannon Studio, Escape Artists, Exhale Yoga, Glass Bug, Kent Island Federation of the Arts, Island Arts, No Place, Painter Lady Gallery, Peace of Cake, Rebecca’s Corner, Stevensville Antiques

GreenPrint, Maryland’s new, interactive mapping tool designed to help the State, local governments, conservation organizations, and individual citizens guide land conservation and growth is now on-line.  First conceived under the Governor’s BayStat Initiative, GreenPrint is an innovative, first of its kind planning tool, and centerpiece of Maryland: Smart, Green & Growing, a multi-agency, statewide initiative to create a more sustainable future for Marylanders by linking community revitalization, transportation improvements, economic development, smart growth and natural resources restoration.

“We live in times of great possibility and progress,” said Governor O’Malley. “Using the latest technology and harnessing the achievable hope of our great State’s potential for a more sustainable, healthy environment and economy, we’ve designed GreenPrint to help escalate smart growth and maximize our resources.”

“GreenPrint will revolutionize the way we make our land use decisions by allowing us to work together as One Maryland, using our resources more efficiently and assessing our landscape on parcel, block, neighborhood, watershed and ecosystem levels,” continued the Governor.  “Accessible by every citizen, GreenPrint will help Marylanders take control of planning their communities’ and our State’s future.”

GreenPrint combines cutting edge technology with proven effective management principles Governor O’Malley implemented via StateStat and BayStat to achieve progress by setting goals and measuring success in addressing Maryland’s challenges – in this case, the challenges presented by the tremendous population growth projected for our State in the years ahead. Towson University‘s Center for Geographic Information Sciences played a pivotal role in developing GreenPrint with the State.

“GreenPrint is a strong, science-based tool for identifying the most important places to conserve in Maryland.  This tool ensures that state resources are wisely spent on our most important natural areas,” said Nat Williams, Director of The Nature Conservancy of Maryland/DC.

More than 150 conservation leaders and elected officials, including House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, joined Governor O’Malley for today’s historic announcements that included a proposal to acquire 9,242 acres of some of the most ecologically and historically significant forest, farm and shorelines in the State through Program Open Space, as well as the 2009 Rural Legacy grants.  Together, more than eighty percent of these lands lie within a high priority conservation or targeted ecological focus areas and exemplify the benefit of GreenPrint.  If approved by the Board of Public Works, these proposed acquisitions, will more than double the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s land conservation progress.

“Nothing less than a concerted conservation effort is needed to preserve valued state lands and ensure a healthier, more sustainable environment that benefits our communities,” stated Congressman Steny Hoyer. “Maryland has long been a leader in these efforts and today’s announcements mark important steps toward ensuring that future generations may experience and cherish the wonderful landscapes with which we have been blessed.  I particularly want to commend Governor O’Malley, Secretary Griffin, and the Conservation Fund, for their efforts to conserve nearly 3,500 acres of environmentally sensitive and historic lands along the Potomac River in Charles and St. Mary’s Counties and look forward to partnering on these and other efforts in the future.”

Under the program, the State Highway Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation, The Nature Conservancy, and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources hope to preserve the largest privately-owned forest parcel in the state. Located in the Nassawango Creek and Pocomoke River watersheds, the 4,769-acre Foster property borders the state’s certified sustainably-managed Pocomoke and Chesapeake State Forests, and received one of the highest ecological rankings to date under the Governor’s new Program Open Space targeting system.

“The Foster property is just such a priority, and its protection by the State, together with The Nature Conservancy’s holdings at our Nassawango Creek Preserve, will create an expansive natural gem that future generations of Marylanders will be able to enjoy for years to come,” added Williams.

The second acquisition, brokered by The Conservation Fund, will protect 4,473+ acres known as the Maryland Province properties in St. Mary’s, Charles, and Cecil Counties.  With 19+ miles of Potomac River waterfront and a majority of the land in continuous ownership since the early 1600s, the opportunity to safeguard wildlife habitat, forestland and water quality of the Chesapeake Bay on these ecologically and culturally significant properties may never arise again.  Captain John Smith, as well as Native American communities and early Catholic leaders, traveled or lived on these lands and waters. Conservation of the Province properties would increase public access to the Chesapeake Bay as well as offer unique historical and environmental education opportunities as three of the parcels will serve as integral parts of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.

“The Conservation Fund is pleased to assist the State with the purchase of more than 4,000 acres of irreplaceable land — land rich in history that becomes a legacy for Maryland’s citizens,” said Bill Crouch, Maryland representative of The Conservation Fund. “This project illustrates the value of GreenPrint and the wisdom of protecting historically and ecologically significant land for Marylanders to experience and enjoy. We commend the Governor’s commitment to protecting our heritage, even in times when budgets are tight. He knows that opportunities like this one come along only once in forever.”

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Secretary John R. Griffin, who chairs the Rural Legacy Advisory Board, announced that 20 counties will receive a combined total of $13,460,700 in Rural Legacy grants to help preserve agricultural, forestry, natural and cultural resources.  (See chart linked below).  Under Gov. O’Malley’s BayStat Initiative, land conservation investments are targeted to protect the most ecologically valuable properties that most directly impact Chesapeake Bay and local waterway health.

“These Rural Legacy grants help local governments and land trusts preserve Maryland’s scenic working landscapes, support sustainable, natural-resourced based local businesses, protect greenways, and maintain the fabric of rural life,” said Secretary Griffin.

Enacted by the General Assembly in 1997, Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program has provided more than $174.6 million to protect 60,882 acres of valuable farmland, forests, and natural areas. The 11-member Rural Legacy Advisory Committee and the Rural Legacy Board, which is comprised of Maryland’s Agriculture, Natural Resources and Planning Secretaries, reviews competitive grant applications annually.

Since taking office in January 2007, the O’Malley-Brown Administration has made steady progress to restore the health of the Bay including the creation of BayStat, an innovative tracking and targeting tool, creation of the Chesapeake Bay 2010 Trust Fund, passage landmark Clean Cars legislation, stringent power plant emission controls regulations, passage of new stormwater legislation, full funding of Program Open Space, update of the State’s Critical Areas Laws, creation of the Maryland Climate Change Commission; restoration of the Office of Smart Growth; and a leadership role in the creation of the first auction of greenhouse gas emission credits in America.

To access GreenPrint, visit www.greenprint.maryland.gov. Visit http://dnrweb.dnr.state.md.us/download/greenprint/ for a fact sheet on the proposed Program Open Space acquisitions; resolution photos, maps, and aerial b-roll footage of the Province properties; and a county by county list of the FY 2009 Rural Legacy grants.