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“The strengthening economy and the later date of Memorial Day this year seem to be catalysts for the substantial rise in travel for this year's holiday,” said Ragina C. Averella, manager of public and government affairs at AAA Mid-Atlantic. AAA estimates that about 85 percent of Maryland travelers (545,000) will travel by car, a 6.8 percent increase above Memorial Day travel in 2009. And, median spending by Maryland travelers for the weekend will be $826. Margot Amelia, executive director of Maryland's tourism office, said that the state had more than 29 million visitors in 2009, a 3.5 percent increase over 2008. Visitor activity nationwide declined 5.5 percent in 2009. Amelia also noted Maryland's new advertising campaign – Maryland, land of … – taps into the variety of reasons (adventure, history, recreation and romance, for instance) that travelers have for visiting Maryland. The campaign uses Internet and print ads, along with radio spots. New center spotlights women's history in state The center, which includes the Maryland Women's Hall of Fame and an “Unsung Heroine” display, will have permanent and changing exhibits that focus on individuals, organizations, events and special themes. Other elements are: an interactive learning center; library; women's history archive; arts and crafts display; and gift shop. Impetus for establishing the center stems from a partnership between the Maryland Commission for Women and the Maryland State Department of Education that began in 1980. The two groups developed and distributed information packets for yearly celebrations of Women's History Month every March. In 2003, the Maryland Women's Heritage Trail –more than 150 sites in the state that are significant to the contributions of Maryland women – was created. Baltimore to host another European soccer match-up Inter Milan just emerged with the Union of European Football Associations' Championship League title by defeating Bayern Munich, 2-0, May 22 in Madrid. Last July, a World Football Challenge match between A.C. Milan and Chelsea Football Club drew a sold-out crowd of 71,000 at M&T Bank Stadium. Chelsea won, 2-1. The event generated a $20 million economic boost for Maryland, according to Terry Hasseltine, director of the Maryland Office of Sports Marketing. Both M&T Bank Stadium and FedEx Field in Landover are among potential sites in the U.S. bid to host the World Cup in 2018 or 2022.
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation had administered a review process that looked at the work of 619 artist-applicants in eight categories: digital/electronic arts; fiction; media; solo dance performance; solo musical performance; solo theatrical performance; visual arts (painting); and visual arts (works on paper). Applications for the 2011 awards – which will be given in eight different categories – must be submitted to the Arts Council by Aug. 4. Competition categories alternate each year. For details, check the Arts Council web site. Pictured above: E. Scott Johnson, MSAC chair; Rebecca Hoffberger, AVAM director; and Bill Mandicott, MSAC councilor. Painters head outdoors for Maryland plein air events Mountain Maryland Plein Air is one of numerous plein air events that take place in the state. In Talbot County, the 6th annual Plein Air – Easton! runs July 19-25, featuring 55 artists selected to compete. Harford County's 4th annual Havre de Grace Plein Air Painting Competition is Sept. 15-18. And, in Anne Arundel County, the 9th annual Paint Annapolis is Sept. 22-26. Among other upcoming plein air events in Maryland: Paint Assateague (Worcester County), June 12; Gardens by the Sea – Kent Island (Queen Anne's County), June 12-13; Eastport (Annapolis, Anne Arundel County) House and Garden Tour Paint Out, June 13; Paint Centreville Maryland and the Art of the Deals (Queen Anne's County), June 19; and Paint Berlin, (Worcester County) Aug. 13-15. Recent events included: Solomons – Paint the Town (Calvert County); Paint the Town – Chestertown (Kent County); Paint Snow Hill (Worcester County); and Galesville Paint Out and Exhibit (Anne Arundel County). Traditional artists take spotlight at annual event The event also includes the presentation of the annual ALTA (Achievement in Living Traditions and Arts) Awards, which recognize the efforts of individuals and organizations to sustain Maryland traditions. Tickets are available online at the Creative Alliance web site. For more information, call or e-mail Cliff Murphy at the Arts Council, 410-767-6555. Maryland Traditions is a program of the Maryland State Arts Council designed to promote and preserve traditional arts and culture in Maryland.
Among its findings for March: Online advertising by the Tourism Office has prompted 190,000-plus visits to VisitMaryland.org during the current fiscal year. This is 23 percent more traffic than the comparable year-to-date total for FY 2009 and represents 17 percent of all visits to the Tourism Office web site. Also, print advertising has generated 39 percent more requests for travel information compared to last year, and TV and radio advertising generated 13 percent more requests. Employment in Maryland's leisure and hospitality sector bounced back after the record-breaking snowstorms in February – up 1,600 jobs in March compared to March 2009. The number of leisure and hospitality jobs nationwide contracted by 0.7 percent during the same time period.
Prince George's celebrates historical-themed web site Sail Baltimore hosts British frigate in visiting-ship program Final Four lacrosse games in Baltimore this weekend 1812 stakeholders to convene at North Point |
Theresa Colvin, executive director of the Arts Council, introduced the winning artists. Each artist received an individual grant in the amount of $1,000, $3,000 or $6,000. The Arts Council distributed a total of $250,000 in awards to the artists. 
