QACAC EVENTS

	Members’ Best Receptions are a great way to meet area artists, make new friends and enjoy the generosity of the downtown Centreville business community. Quarterly receptions are held in most locations and are from 5 to 6:30 pm on the following dates: Sep 25, 2008 through Dec 12, 2008

---

September – June: Classes in Visual Arts and Fine Crafts, Music and Movement, Writing and Kids Classes.

---

Crop Club Parties – Join paper crafter Cathy Downes on the last Sunday of each month here at the Centre for the Arts from 12-5 PM. Please call Cathy at 410-758-1251 if you plan to attend. Donations appreciated.

---

October 11 – “Celebrate Fall” 7 – 8 pm Early Bird Salsa Lesson. Hostess Amanda Showell invites you to an evening of Ballroom and Latin Dancing.
8 – 11 pm Dance Party. $10 members / $12 nonmembers

---

November 5 – “Inside & Out: Form and Image” exhibit featuring artists Carole Cascio (ceramics) and Skip Faulkner (photography). Through Nov. 29, T-F 9 am to 5 pm, Sat. 10 am to 2 pm, or by appointment. Fine porcelain and sturdy ceramics are suited for indoor and outdoor use and are contrasted beautifully by artist Carole Cascio.

Photographer Skip Faulkner captures the starkness and subtleness of architectural, natural and human landscapes. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Centre’s Building Fund.

---

November 7 – Reception – “Inside & Out: Form and Image” 5:30 – 8 pm. Meet the artists, enjoy light refreshments and find an exhibit favorite to call your own. Centre for the Arts.

---

November 8 – “Tango Nights” 7 – 8 pm Early Bird Tango Lesson. Hostess Amanda Showell invites you to an evening of Ballroom and Latin Dancing 8 – 11 pm Dance Party. $10 members / $12 nonmembers

---

November 15 – “The Shore Men” 7pm Benefit concert features fantastic Bluegrass by Dave and Marc MacGlashan, Chuck Van Meter and Nate Grower.

Ticket price includes an After Party featuring Bay favorites – oysters, crab cakes, Smith Island Cake and more. Proceeds benefit the Building Fund. $25 advance / $30 door. Advance ticket sales end on November 14.

Only 132 seats, reserve early.

---

December 6 – “Heck with the Malls!” 9 am to 2 pm. Holiday shopping at its best. Artists and artisans in two locations: the Centre for the Arts and St. Paul’s Church. Find unique gifts for friends and family and bring home something for yourself. In it’s 12th year, this annual event is a must do! Hand-crafted soaps and lotions, jewelry, mosaics, photography, fashion and home accessories, one-of-a-kind purses, ceramics, wood and metal sculpture, holiday ornaments, watercolors, wildlife carvings, Native American clothing, and book signings by area writers Niambi Davis and Marjorie Lorenz. When you finish shopping with area artists, visit downtown Centreville where merchants will have extra discounts and refreshments for holiday shoppers. Free.

---

Dec 12 – Reception, “Members Best” – NEW! Now on Fridays, you’re invited to come to downtown Centreville and see artwork, enjoy refreshments and visit local businesses who will stay open a little later than usual and will have special offers for art lovers. Start at the Arts Council’s Centre for the Arts (4 to 6 pm) for refreshments and to pick up a map of participating exhibitors and merchants. Then head over to Cottage Cuts (4 to 5 pm) to Terrar After the Storm on the Choptank.jpgsee the work of Marion LeMoal. From 5 to 6:30 receptions are at the following locations:
An Optical Galleria – David Terrar
Centreville Bank – Carolyn Councell
Delmarva Financial Group – Sally Clark
PNC Bank – Kurt Plinke
Prudential Premier Properties – Susan Schauer

---

December 13 – “Holiday Dance & Showcase” 7 pm Celebrate the holiday season with an evening of Ballroom and Latin dances with hostess Amanda Showell. Performances throughout the evening. Light refreshments. $15 advance / $18 door.

SCHIPUL COURAGE WALK

The 3rd annual Coach Andrew C. Schipul Courage Walk takes place at 1 pm, Sept. 20, at Kent Island High School in Stevensville.

Coach Schipul died in 2006 from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, which attacks the brain and spinal cord. This event both honor’s Coach’s memory and serves as a fundraiser to support the Robert Packard Center for ALS research at Johns Hopkins Medical Center and the Hospice of Queen Anne’s County.

Registration starts at 12 noon the day of the event. The walk covers the Cross Island Trail, and ends at 2:30 pm. Music by David Andrew Smith and the KIHS band is planned.

A  silent auction is also planned from noon to 1 pm. Items include two footballs, each signed by 15 Baltimore Ravens team members, Mary Kay Products, Longaberger baskets, Southern Living housewares, and more.

In case of bad weather, the Walk takes place Sept. 27. Advance registration: Sharon Schipul, 410-758-2712. Information: Dawn Kelly, 410-827-7334 or Couragewalk@gmail.com

SMART GROWTH LISTENING SESSION

Smart Growth Listening Session

Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m.

Wicomico County High School, 201 Long Ave. in Salisbury (Wicomico County)

Smart Growth Listening Session

Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m.

Queen Anne’s County High School, 125 Ruthsburg Rd. in Centreville

Smart Growth Listening Session

Thursday, Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m.

GOP ELECTED OFFICIALS ENDORSE FRANK KRATOVIL

Two Republican County Commission Presidents Say Kratovil is Best Pick to Represent the Eastern Shore

STEVENSVILLE, MD – Two elected Republican county leaders from Eastern Shore counties today announced that they are crossing party lines to endorse Frank Kratovil in the First Congressional District race. Roy Crow, President of the Kent County Board of Commissioners, and Jack Cole, President of the Caroline County Board of Commissioners, both called Kratovil the best candidate to represent the Eastern Shore in Congress.

“I trust Frank to stand up in Washington and fight for the Eastern Shore,” said Caroline County’s Jack Cole. “We may belong to different political parties, but Frank and I share the same Eastern Shore values. Frank has integrity, and to me that’s more important than partisanship.”

Cole also cited local environmental concerns as a key factor in his endorsement. “Caroline County is called the Green Garden County for a reason,” he said. “We have such rich natural beauty here, and we need to protect it. Frankly, I just don’t think it’s in the best interests of Caroline County to elect a candidate who boasts one of the worst environmental records in the entire General Assembly.”

Kratovil’s opponent, Senator Andy Harris, has the 6th worst lifetime environmental record out of 188 members of the Maryland General Asembly, according to the Maryland League of Conservation Voters.

Roy Crow of Kent County voiced similar sentiments in endorsing Kratovil. “Frank Kratovil understands the Eastern Shore,” said Crow. “He has lived here for years, raised his family here, and served the people of Queen Anne’s County effectively and honorably as State’s Attorney. I have no doubt that Frank Kratovil is the right candidate to represent us in Congress.”

“There are eight Congressional seats in Maryland,” added Crow. “At least one of them ought to be represented by someone who understands the Eastern Shore.”

“Jack and Roy are both respected public servants and Eastern Shore leaders, and I’m honored to have their support in this race,” said Kratovil in response to the endorsements. “This race isn’t about party labels. It is about bringing change to Washington so we can finally start addressing the challenges we face. Fixing our energy policy, cutting wasteful spending, cracking down on illegal immigration, and protecting the Bay will require leaders who can work across party lines to get real results.”

Kratovil, who has also been endorsed by the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition of Congressional Democrats, lives in Stevensville with his wife Kim and their four sons. He has twice been elected State’s Attorney as a Democrat in majority-Republican Queen Anne’s County.

August 28, 2008
Contact: Tim McCann

(512) 636-7011 or tmccann@kratovil.com

QAC DEMOCRATIC CLUB

The Club holds  its monthly membership meeting at the Fisherman’s Inn at the Kent Narrows on September 4.  Refreshments begin at 6:30 P.M. with the meeting to start at 7.  Come and get the latest information from the Democratic Convention from those who attended.

If anyone is interested in learning more about our club or you wish to become a member, please feel free to stop by.  The Queen Anne’s County Young Democrats Club is now forming.  For information, contact nvenuto@atlanticbb.net or see us at the meeting.

American Legion Post 278 donates $10,000 to Chesapeake College Fitness Center Campaign

Tradition of charitable giving continues

Kent Island American Legion Post 278’s tradition of charitable giving to Chesapeake College recently gave a $10,000 donation to the Stuart M. Bounds Fitness Center Fundraising Campaign.

“We actually started our involvement with Chesapeake College about 1980, when we donated our first $10,000 to start the Wrightson Tolson Scholarship,” said Hugo Gemignani, chair of Post 278’s Charity Committee. “I think that fund now has two or three hundred thousand dollars in it. Chesapeake College is one of the primary recipients of our charitable donations.”

Dr. Barbara Viniar, Chesapeake College’s president, accepted Post 278’s check on behalf of the college.

“I appreciate this very generous contribution and Post 278’s long-term commitment to both the college and the community,” said Dr. Viniar. “This organization is an outstanding community partner.”

In addition to the Wrightson Tolson Scholarship – annually awarded to Chesapeake College students from Queen Anne’s County – Post 278 established the Robert E. McCauley Scholarship in 2003 to provide scholarships to Chesapeake College student athletes. The Legion has also financially supported other Athletic Department activities, including the baseball team’s trip to the 2005 NJCAA Division II World Series as the Northeast District champion.

Gemignani said the fitness center donation follows in that same pattern.

“This fitness center will be great,” said Gemignani, who noted the importance of its availability for students, faculty, and staff, along with community members who will be eligible to use the facilities when they are registered for a continuing education fitness course. “We’re hoping some of our servicemen and women coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan will make use of the new center.”

Chesapeake College Athletic Director Frank Szymanski said Post 278 “has been one of our most consistent and loyal financial supporters during my nine years at the college.”

“There are many athletic initiatives that would have been harder to undertake without Post 278’s backing,” said Szymanski, noting the Post’s donation to cover expenses associated with the 2005 World Series as one recent example.

The college has already raised over $50,000 in contributions toward the nearly $90,000 in equipment that has been ordered for the new center. The new center is part of a major renovation of the inner core of the Physical Education Building, which is over 30 years old.

The Julia T. Burleigh Philanthropic Fund donated $25,000 as the lead donor, giving the Fund naming rights for the Center. The Burleigh Fund, represented by Director Jim Barton, directed that the center be named for Dr. Stuart M. Bounds, who retired in June after 11 years as the college’s fourth president.

Individuals or organizations interested in contributing to the Chesapeake College Fitness Center Fundraising Campaign may contact Campaign Chair Rich Midcap (rmidcap@chesapeake.edu or 410-827-5858).

2.5 months out, Kratovil races to catch up to GOP

2.5 months out, Kratovil races to catch up to GOP

By Greg Latshaw
Staff Writer-DelMarva Now

SALISBURY — Deemed a long shot by political analysts, Democrat Frank Kratovil faces an uphill battle for Maryland’s 1st District that he says is less steep as the election approaches.

Kratovil claimed endorsements from the Democratic National Congressional Committee on June 18, the democratic Blue Dog Coalition on Aug. 7 and, most recently, the League of Conservation Voters on Thursday.

The Queen Anne’s County State’s Attorney will square off Nov. 4 with Republican nominee Andy Harris, a state senator in Baltimore and Harford counties who because of a heated primary battle has raised more, spent more and campaigned more.

Kratovil portrays himself as moderate and Harris, a practicing anesthesiologist, calls himself a true conservative. The race is heating up, as both candidates launched TV advertisements in the Salisbury market in the past week-and-a-half. Both vow the Baltimore area is next.

Harris reported overall receipts of $2 million compared to $811,000 for Kratovil in the most recent campaign filing with the Federal Election Commission through June 30. But Harris reported having $609,000 of cash on hand compared to Kratovil’s $454,000, a difference inflated some by a loan of $100,000 that Harris made to his campaign.

The next filing results will be released Oct. 15.

“We know Kratovil will start making up some ground, but we don’t know if it’s enough,” said Creston Long, co-director of Salisbury University’s Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement.

Long said the fundraising gap is not insurmountable. He pointed to former backers of U.S. representative Wayne Gilchrest, a nine-term incumbent who Harris defeated Feb. 12 in the primary, as potentially crossing party lines to vote for Kratovil. One former Gilchrest aide, Karen Willis, has joined a group called Republicans for Kratovil.

“That’s a wildcard,” Long said. “What will the Gilchrest supporters do?”

Another added wrinkle to the campaigns is the presidential election between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barrack Obama. The 1st District, which includes the entire Eastern Shore and parts of Baltimore city and county, Anne Arundel and Harford counties, voted heavily for President Bush in the 2004 election.

“If there are new voters coming out to vote for Obama, will they also vote for Kratovil?” said Harry Basehart, cofounder of PACE at SU and professor emeritus of political science.

Harris’ TV spot came first, on Aug. 6, and featured his energy plan. Harris said that while Congress has done little to lower gas prices, he favors domestic fuel alternative energy like wind, solar and biofuel, and more conservation.

The advertisement does not touch upon Harris’ support of nuclear power, increasing oil refinery production and drilling offshore for oil.

Kratovil launched a TV ad Friday that introduces his background as a prosecutor and also focuses on cracking down on illegal immigration and cleaning up the Chesapeake Bay.

“A lot of voters still don’t know Frank and who he is,” said his campaign manager, Tim McCann.

Additionally, more national backing from democratic groups will likely boost Kratovil’s fundraising totals.

The Blue Dog Coalition is a 49-member group of House Democrats that emphasize fiscal conservatism. The group can donate a maximum $5,000 donation from the group’s PAC and encourage its members to donate to the Democratic candidate.

Kratovil said after the endorsement reducing wasteful spending and developing a practical energy plan are higher on his list of concerns than voting among party lines.

“I admire their willingness to set partisanship aside and work across party lines to tackle tough budget issues,” he said. “That’s the kind of Congressman I plan to be for the 1st District.”

Carrie James, a spokeswoman for the DCCC, said the red-to-blue program will select competitive races across the country and offer support through finances, strategy and communication.

“We added Frank Kratovil to the Red to Blue program because he has assembled a strong campaign with impressive grassroots and finance operations, and he has demonstrated that he represents a new direction for Maryland,” James said.

Chris Meekins, Harris’ campaign manager, said his candidate has a proven record in the senate that favors smart spending and fights earmarks.

Harris has already received endorsements from former Gov. Robert Ehrlich and Republican state delegates and local officials.

“Campaigning has been nonstop,” Meekins said. “We’re staying on pace.”

The most recent poll by Harris’ campaign indicates that he has a 16-point lead over Kratovil, with about 44 percent of voters favoring him and 28 percent going to Kratovil.

Additionally, the poll by Harris’ campaign found that about one-fourth of voters had not heard of Kratovil.

Kratovil, who on Thursday visited a biodiesel plant in Berlin, said his campaign efforts are hampered some by his job as a state’s attorney.

Assigning cases to a staff of seven assistant state’s attorneys, Kratovil says he has a backlog of cases involving illegal immigrants charged with crimes.

“We shouldn’t have to be dealing with this if we did our job in enforcing immigration,” Kratovil said.

Basehart said while Kratovil is a threat to claim the seat long held by the republicans, the 1st District favors Harris.

“Betting money is probably on Harris to win,” he said.

Obama Speech Watch Party

Queen Anne’s County MD for Obama Speech Watch Party (Convention Watch Party)

Let’s watch history happen! Bring a snack to share and your own adult beverages. We will provide non-alcoholic drinks and two viewing areas to watch Barack’s speech at 10 pm.

Time:	Thursday, August 28 at 8:00 PM
Duration:	3 hours
Host:	Kevin Valenti
Contact Phone:	410-903-9103
Location:	Kevin Valenti’s house (Stevensville, MD) 906 Buckingham Drive Stevensville, MD 21666