Left to right: Carol Susan Reshetiloff, President of Annapolis Civitan Club, Providence Center CEO Chuck Coble, Mike Ragland, Annapolis Civitan Club Secretary, and Shin Chang Huand, President-Elect of Annapolis Civitan Club.

Providence Center, a non-profit organization that serves adults with developmental disabilities, announced today that it has received a $24,500 grant from the Civitan Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities – Chesapeake District Civitan International Inc.  The grant was presented by the Annapolis Civitan Club at its bimonthly meeting on Thursday, May 16, 2013.  The grant is for the purchase of sensory room equipment for Providence Center’s Jean Bradbury Building in Arnold, which is currently being renovated to make it a state-of-the-art program site for adults with developmental disabilities.

The grant was awarded with the support of and contributions from the Glen Burnie Civitan Club and Annapolis Civitan Club.  It will be used to purchase equipment that benefits Providence Center’s participants that are non ambulatory, seniors with dementia, and those with autism, among other users.  The Civitans also provided the sensory room equipment for the organization’s clients at its Cloverleaf site in Millersville.

Providence Center CEO Chuck Coble released the following statement:

“We are humbled by the funding from the Civitans, who continually demonstrate their dedication to improving our communities,” Coble said.  “Providence Center is grateful to the Glen Burnie Civitan Club and the Annapolis Civitan Club for their tremendous support of the important work we do. This grant wouldn’t have been possible without them.  The Civitans do so much good in our communities and we are proud to work hand-in-hand with them to help those that need it most.”

Annapolis Civitan Michael Ragland, Esq. said that the grant is in line with the mission of the Civitan organization.  “For over 85 years the Annapolis Civitan Club #177 has been helping its community by bringing together ‘good citizens’ to improve the lives of our neighbors.  For over 20 years the Club has directed its efforts to those with developmental disabilities.  The Foundation for Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities – Chesapeake District Civitan International, Inc. has helped make great strides in understanding and caring for people with developmental disabilities.  We at the Annapolis Civitan Club #177 are grateful for the support of the Foundation in providing to Providence Center the equipment to make a meaningful improvement in the lives of those cared for by the organization.  This furthers our hope of a better world through Civitan.”

Glen Burnie Civitan President Suzy Provine added, “The Glen Burnie Civitan Club has a special place in our hearts for organizations working to improve the lives of those with developmental disabilities.  This grant will do just that, by providing cutting-edge technology to support the extraordinary individuals that Providence Center serves each day.  We are grateful for their work and proud to support them with this funding.”

Sensory rooms are a proven therapeutic and educational tool for those with disabilities.  They assist those that are most vulnerable, non-verbal, and/or non-ambulatory.  The technology provides cutting edge therapy to greatly enhance the ability to feel, see, and experience the world as well as make choices for themselves which they often are not able to do.  It is a multi-sensory environment that uses fiber optic lights, sounds, textures, and aromas to exercise one’s senses to their fullest potential. It also provides a place to relax.  This is especially important for those who are over-stimulated or wheelchair bound.

In 2008, the Civitans funded a similar sensory room at Providence Center’s Millersville location. The organization reported the positive changes in behavior, improved task concentration, and an increase in a variety of skills such as awareness of self, social interaction behaviors, communication, and exploration and manipulation of stimuli in those clients that regularly use the equipment.

The Jean Bradbury site has more than 80 participants with autism, visual impairments, cerebral palsy, hypersensitive disorders, and challenging behaviors that will benefit from the sensory room.

Providence Center, a non-profit organization based in Anne Arundel County, operates four program sites which provide care and training in programs such as Supported Employment, Horticulture, Woodshop, and Pottery throughout the county.  It meets the growing needs of nearly 500 individuals through an array of services and supports, including medical, job preparedness and training, mentoring, production, employment coaching, senior care, and day habilitation.

The mission of Providence Center is to provide services that allow individuals with disabilities to enjoy increased self-determination in leading a more independent, valuable and functioning role in society. These support services are individually designed and professionally managed to enable these individuals to exercise higher levels of control over their lives.

Photo: Courtesy Noreen Frenaye

The following is a transcript of President Barack Obama’s remarks to the United States Naval Academy Class of 2013 presented at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The President’s remarks lasted 22 minutes.  Additional photos of the ceremony will follow shortly.

Hello, Midshipmen!  (Applause.)  Well, thank you, Governor O’Malley, for your kind introduction and the great support that Maryland gives this Academy.  To Secretary Mabus, Admiral Greenert, General Paxton — thank you all for your incredible leadership of our extraordinary Navy and Marine Corps teams.

To Vice Admiral Miller, thank you for the outstanding work that you do.  To Captain Clark and all the faculty and staff; to the moms and dads who raised your sons and daughters to seek this life of service; to the local sponsor families who cared for them far from home; the members of the Class of 1963 — veterans who’ve guided these midshipmen along the way — today is also a tribute to your support and your patriotism.  And I know that the Class of 2013 joins me in saluting your service as well.  (Applause.)

To the entire Brigade of Midshipmen — you embody the highest virtues of this venerable institution.  And yet, I know that some of you at times have enjoyed yourselves at other local institutions like McGarvey’s and Armadillo’s.  (Applause.) But today is a day of celebration — and also forgiveness.  And so, in keeping with tradition, I declare all midshipmen on restriction for minor conduct offenses are hereby absolved.  (Laughter and applause.)  As always, Admiral Miller gets to decide what’s “minor.”  (Laughter.)  Some of these guys are laughing a little nervously about that.  (Laughter.)

Now, obviously, most of all, it is wonderful to be able to celebrate this incredible Class of 2013.  This has special meaning for me as well, because the United States Naval Academy was the very first service academy that I had the privilege to address as President.  On that spring day four years ago, most of you were still in high school, finishing your senior year, or at NAPS, finishing up prep school.  You were a little younger — and I was, too.  You had your entire Naval Academy experience ahead of you; I was already getting chest bumps from the graduates of 2009.  (Laughter.)

Soon after, you came to the Yard — and you got quite a welcome.  The joy of I-Day.  Wonderful haircuts.  Stylish eyeglasses.  And all that Plebe Year, if you got something wrong, your upperclassmen kindly corrected you — at high volume, at very close range.  (Laughter.)  When Michelle brought our daughter Sasha here for a visit, she got a somewhat different reception.  She was just in elementary school, but it seemed like the Navy was already doing some recruiting — because as she went through Bancroft Hall she came to one room and saw the name on the door — “Sasha Obama, Class of 2023.”  (Laughter.)  So you never know.

Today, each of you can take enormous pride, for you’ve met the mission of this Academy.  You’ve proven yourselves morally, living a concept of honor and integrity — and this includes treating one another with respect and recognizing the strength of every member of your team.  You’re the most diverse class to graduate in Naval Academy history.  And among the many proud young women graduating today, 13 will serve on submarines.  (Applause.)

You’ve proven yourselves mentally.  Now, I know that some think of this as just a small engineering school on the Severn.  You’ve not only met its rigorous standards, you’ve helped this Academy earn a new distinction — the number-one public liberal arts school in America.  (Applause.)

And you’ve proven yourselves physically — a Herndon Climb of two minutes, five seconds.  (Applause.)  Now that they put the grease back on, no one will ever match your time.  (Laughter.)  More importantly, last month I welcomed Coach Ken and the team back to the White House because you beat Air Force, you beat Army, and you brought the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy back to Annapolis.  (Applause.)

So, Class of 2013, in your four years by the Bay, you’ve met every test before you.  And today is the day that you’ve been counting down to for so long.  You will take your oath.  Those boards and gold bars will be placed on your shoulders.  And as your Commander-in-Chief, I congratulate each of you on becoming our newest officers — ensigns in the United States Navy, second lieutenants in the United States Marine Corps.

And soon you will join the fleet.  You’ll lead Marines.  And just as you’ve changed over the past four years, so, too, have the challenges facing our military.  Before you arrived here, our nation was engaged in two wars, al Qaeda’s leadership was entrenched in their safe havens, many of our alliances were strained, and our nation’s standing in the world had suffered.  And over the past four years, we’ve strengthened our alliances and restored America’s image in the world.

The war in Iraq is over and we welcomed our troops home.  Thanks to our brave personnel — including our incredible Navy SEALs — we delivered justice to Osama bin Laden.  (Applause.)  In Afghanistan, the transition is underway, our troops are coming home, and by the end of next year our war in Afghanistan will come to an end.  (Applause.)

And today, we salute all the Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in these wars, including 18 graduates of this Academy. We honor them all, now and forever.

Yesterday, I spoke about the way forward in the fight to keep our country secure — for even as we’ve decimated the al Qaeda leadership, we still face threats from al Qaeda affiliates and from individuals caught up in its ideology.  Even as we move beyond deploying large ground armies abroad, we still need to conduct precise, targeted strikes against terrorists before they kill our citizens.  And even as we stay vigilant in the face of terrorism and stay true to our Constitution and our values, we need to stay ready for the full range of threats — from nations seeking weapons of mass destruction to cyber criminals seeking to unleash weapons of mass destruction.

In these tough fiscal times, we also have to make hard choices at home, including in our Armed Forces.  But I want you all to know as you enter in what I know will be extraordinary years of service, let me say as clearly as I can — the United States of America will always maintain our military superiority. And as your Commander-in-Chief, I’m going to keep fighting to give you the equipment and support required to meet the missions we ask of you, and also to make sure that you are getting the pay and the benefits and the support that you deserve.  (Applause.)

I’ll keep fighting for the capabilities and technologies you need to prevail, and a shipbuilding plan that puts us on track to achieve a 300-ship fleet, with capabilities that exceed the power of the next dozen navies combined.  (Applause.)

And I’ll keep fighting to end those foolish across-the-board budget cuts known as the sequester, which is threatening our readiness.  With deficits falling at the fastest rate in decades, it’s time for Congress to budget in a smarter way that protects middle-class priorities, preserves investments in our future, and keeps our military strong — because we have the best-trained, best-led, best-equipped military in history, and I am determined to keep it that way, and Congress should be, too.  (Applause.)

We need you to project power across the oceans, from the Pacific to the Persian Gulf — 100 percent on watch.  We need you to partner with other navies and militaries, from Africa to the Americas.  We need you to respond with compassion in times of disaster, as when you helped respond to Hurricane Sandy.  And in all your work — in your lifetime of service — we need you to uphold the highest standards of integrity and character.

With the time I have left — and I know it’s a little wet, but the Superintendent told me that Marines and folks in the Navy don’t mind a little water.  (Laughter.)

With the time I have left, that’s what I want to discuss today.  It’s no secret that in recent decades many Americans have lost confidence in many of the institutions that help shape our society and our democracy.  But I suggest to you today that institutions do not fail in a vacuum.  Institutions are made up of people, individuals.  And we’ve seen how the actions of a few can undermine the integrity of those institutions.

Every day, men and women of talent and skill work in the financial institutions that fund new businesses, and put new families — put families in new homes and help students go to college.  But we’ve also seen how the misdeeds of some — wild risk-taking or putting profits before people — sparked a financial crisis and deepened the recession that cost millions of Americans their jobs.

Every day, elected officials like those on this stage, but also all across the nation, devote themselves to improving our communities and our country.  But all too often we’ve seen a politics where compromise is rejected as a dirty word, and policies are driven by special interests rather than the national interest.  And that breeds a cynicism that threatens our democracy.

Every day, our civil servants do their jobs with professionalism — protecting our national security and delivering the services that so many Americans expect.  But as we’ve seen again in recent days, it only takes the misconduct of a few to further erode the people’s trust in their government.  That’s unacceptable to me, and I know it’s unacceptable to you.

And against this backdrop, what I said here four years ago remains true today:  Our military remains the most trusted institution in America.  When others have shirked their responsibilities, our Armed Forces have met every mission we’ve given them.  When others have been distracted by petty arguments, our men and women in uniform come together as one American team.

And yet, we must acknowledge that even here, even in our military, we’ve seen how the misconduct of some can have effects that ripple far and wide.  In our digital age, a single image from the battlefield of troops falling short of their standards can go viral and endanger our forces and undermine our efforts to achieve security and peace.  Likewise, those who commit sexual assault are not only committing a crime, they threaten the trust and discipline that make our military strong.  That’s why we have to be determined to stop these crimes, because they’ve got no place in the greatest military on Earth.

So, Class of 2013, I say all this because you’re about to assume the burden of leadership.  As officers, you will be trusted with the most awesome of responsibilities — the lives of the men and women under your command.  And when your service is complete, many of you will go on to help lead your communities, America’s companies.  You will lead this country.  And if we want to restore the trust that the American people deserve to have in their institutions, all of us have to do our part.  And those of us in leadership — myself included — have to constantly strive to remain worthy of the public trust.

As you go forward in your careers, we need you to carry forth the values that you’ve learned at this institution, because our nation needs them now more than ever.

We need your Honor — that inner compass that guides you, not when the path is easy and obvious, but when it’s hard and uncertain; that tells you the difference between that which is right and that which is wrong.  Perhaps it will be a moment when you think nobody is watching.  But never forget that honor, like character, is what you do when nobody is looking.  More likely it will be when you’re in the spotlight, leading others –the men and women who are looking up to you to set an example.  Never ask them to do what you don’t ask of yourself.  Live with integrity and speak with honesty and take responsibility and demand accountability.

We need your Honor and we need your Courage — yes, the daring that tells you to move toward danger when every fiber of your being says to turn the other way.  But even more than physical courage, we need your moral courage — the strength to do what’s right, especially when it’s unpopular.  Because at the end of the day and at the end of your career, you want to look in the mirror and say with confidence and with pride, I fulfilled my oath; I did my duty; I stayed true to my values.

We need your Honor and Courage, and we need your Commitment — that sense of purpose that says I will try even harder, I will do even better in what I expect of myself, in the way I interact with others, including those of different backgrounds.  It’s no accident that our military is the most respected institution in America — and one of the most diverse institutions in America.  So recognize the dignity in every human being.  Treat one another with respect.  Remember that when we harness the talents of every man and every woman from every race and every religion and every creed, no nation can ever match us.

And, finally, we need your Resolve — the same spirit reflected in your class motto:  “Surrender to Nothing.”  If you seek an example, you don’t need to look far, because not long ago, two midshipmen sat where you sat — from the Class of 2006  — and they inspire us today.

Here at the Academy, Brad Snyder was the captain of the swim team.  He deployed to Afghanistan, and while rushing to the aid of his teammates, he stepped on an IED and lost both his eyes. With the support of family and friends, Brad learned to feel his way and move again.  And before long, he was back in the swimming pool, where he said “I’m free.”  Then, just one year later, Brad competed at the London Paralympics and won three medals, including two golds.

And when Michelle and I welcomed our U.S. Olympians to the White House, Brad joined us — standing tall, right in front.  And, he said, “Overcoming adversity is a decision.  You can let that beat you, or you can make the decision to move forward.”

Here at the Academy, Matt Lampert was on the rowing team.  He deployed to Afghanistan with his Marine special ops team.  And as they entered a compound, an IED exploded and Matt lost both his legs.  He endured a long and painful recovery.  But with his new legs, he learned to walk again.  He practiced, he trained, and then he passed his physical tests and deployed to Afghanistan again — a double amputee, back in the fight.

And Matt recently completed his tour.  He is back home and is looking ahead to many years of service.  Reflecting on his journey — his mission to return to his unit — he said he was determined, “however long it was going to take.”

So Class of 2013, I cannot promise you a life of comfort and ease, for you have chosen an ancient path — the profession of arms — which carries all the perils of our modern world.  And just as classes before you could not know that they would find themselves at Coral Sea or Midway or Fallujah or Helmand, we cannot know sitting here today where your service will carry you.

But I do know this.  As you say farewell to Bancroft Hall, as you make your way down Stribling Walk one last time, you’re becoming the newest link in a storied chain.  As I look into your eyes today, I see the same confidence and the same professionalism, the same fidelity to our values of those who’ve served before you — the Jones and Nimitz and Lejeune and Burke, and, yes, the Snyder and the Lampert — Americans who surrendered to nothing.

And I’m absolutely confident that you will uphold the highest of standards, and that your courage and honor and your commitment will see us through, and that you will always prove yourselves worthy of the trust our nation is placing in you today.

So, congratulations, Class of 2013.  (Applause.)  God bless our Navy, and God bless our Marine Corps.  (Applause.)  God bless our Armed Services.  God bless these United States of America.  (Applause.)

This event is co-hosted by Josh Morgan (Redskins) and DeSean Jackson (Eagles). Also scheduled to appear are: Torrey Smith (Ravens), Fred Davis (Redskins), Darrel Young (Redskins), Tavon Wilson (Patriots), Marvin Austin (Giants), Brett Lockett (Jets), E.J. Biggers (Redskins), Chris Wilson (Redskins), Arrelious Benn (Eagles), Terrence Austin (Lions).

Baysox Assistant General Manager Phil Wrye helped plan this event. “This game is a great way to raise awareness for amputees and to raise funds for a number of great organizations that help benefit these individuals. It will also be a lot of fun to see a group of NFL celebrities, including some local stars, take on the Wounded Warrior Amputee softball team. We hope to make this a yearly event that will both allow fans to see some of their favorite NFL players and learn from some of our Wounded Warriors.”

There are two ticket options for the game. VIP Tickets (including early entrance for an exclusive autograph session) are $55 and General Admission Tickets are $20 ($15 for children ages 3-12 and military). Tickets can be ordered online at www.baysox.com.

Proceeds from the event benefit the Wounded Warrior Project, The Yellow Ribbon Fund & the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team.

Baysox Baseball – We’ll Knock Your ‘Sox Off. The Baysox 2013 season and 20th season of baseball at Prince George’s Stadium is underway. Parking is free at every Baysox home game and tickets are available at www.baysox.com, or by calling the Baysox box office at (301) 464-4865.

The top graduate is Christopher Dean Galvin of Austin, Texas who was a mechanical engineering major. He will be commissioned as a Navy Ensign and will train as a submariner.

This is the 163rd traditional graduation ceremony. Since 1845, approximately 79,900 midshipmen have graduated from the Naval Academy. Since 1980, more than 4100 women including the class of 2013 have graduated from the United States Naval Academy.

Pres. Barack Obama addressed the graduates this morning at about 1020am. The president was joined on the rostrum by Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus, Vice Adm. Michael Miller Superintendent of the Naval Academy, and Capt. Bob Clark Commandant of midshipmen among other military and political officials.

Due to the federal government sequestration, there was no fly over by any military aircraft at today’s ceremony. Security was tight in the stadium with everyone having to pass through metal detectors and having her belongings searched by Secret Service agents.

The festival will once again feature carefully selected craft beer and exceptional wine, Maryland crab cakes, fresh local oysters, and a variety of other delicious cuisine.  In addition to local wines and craft beers, this year’s event will feature “Beer From Around the World,” an outdoor build-a-bar with Lime-A-Ritas and Straw-Ber-Ritas, and a sangria booth.

“Last year’s inaugural festival drew over 7,000 beer and wine lovers, and we are excited to move this event to a larger venue for 2013.  We have also added more food vendors, additional space for people and parking, and a better traffic flow” says Sharon Finecey of Inspired Events, the festival’s planner and promoter.

Tickets include a souvenir glass, limited samples of featured beer and wine, and entertainment all day.  Food and full glasses of beer and wine are available for purchase.

Entertainment will include live music performances by the local Irish band Dublin5 (previously known as The Rovers), The Truth Project, Appaloosa, and many more.  Check www.kegsandcorksfest.com for the full line up.

Presented by Eye on Annapolis, the 2013 Kegs and Corks Beer and Wine Festival will benefit the local charity, The Wellness House, an organization providing strength and support for those living with cancer. For more information on their work in our community, visit www.annapoliswellnesshouse.org.

Advance tickets are now on sale for $25 each and available online at www.KegsandCorksFest.com.  Tickets purchased at the gate are $30 each. Tickets for Military members and their spouse are $20 in advance online or at the gate (limit 2 – must show military I.D. at gate).  Groups of 10 or more are $20 each in advance only. Tickets for designated drivers and ages 13 – 20 are $10.  Kids 12 and under are free. This is a covered event so join us rain or shine. Hours are Saturday from noon to 8:00 PM. Vendor, sponsor, and volunteer opportunities are available. Volunteer and get a free ticket and t-shirt!  For more information about the Kegs and Corks Beer and Wine Festival, contact Inspired Events at 410.507.2186 or visit www.KegsandCorksFest.com.

The midshipmen of 20^th Company have earned the honor of being designated as the spring 2013 color company through their accomplishments during the last semester.

The Color Parade is the oldest parade at the U.S. Naval Academy, a tradition which began in 1867.   Midshipmen anticipate this parade as their last full dress parade while at the academy.  The highlight of the Color Parade is the formal presentation of the color company pennant to the company that has excelled in academics, athletics and professional accomplishments.

Diane (Lovewell) Melton, Color Girl 1963

One newer tradition at the USNA is the “Another Link In The Chain” program. This program, developed by the USNA Alumni Association, creates a bind between the current class and the one that graduated 50 years prior.  Their class ring will have some element from the Class of 1963 into the design to cement the bond between the two. This year’s class is “linked” with the Class of 1963 and there were rings from ’63 that were donated and the gold was used to create the ones for ’13..  In addition to members of the Class of ’63, there was a special guest– the Color Girl (now called Color Honoree) from 1963, Diane Melton (nee Lovewell) from Arlington, VA.

Midshipman 1^st Class Brooke Pitcher, of East Hampton, Conn., served as the spring semester color company commander.  At graduation, she will be commissioned as an ensign and will train as a Navy pilot. Pitcher will receive the Stewart Wight Hannah Memorial Trophy.  The silver bowl will be displayed in Bancroft Hall throughout the year and is inscribed with the spring semester color company number and the name of the new Color Company commander.

A color honoree is selected by the winning spring semester company commander. Pitcher has selected her mother, Kelly Fabrycki Pitcher of Hartford, Conn., as the 2013 color honoree.

Midshipman 1^st Class Chloe J. Staab, of the 14th Company, from Chino Hills, Calif. served as the fall semester color company commander.  At graduation, she’ll be commissioned as a Navy ensign and will serve as a surface warfare officer aboard the U.S.S. New Orleans. Staab will receive the Forrestal Award, an engraved silver tray presented in honor of the nation’s first Secretary of Defense, James V. Forrestal, donated by the late Charles P. McCormick.

For more information about May events at the Naval Academy, visit http://www.usna.edu/CommissioningWeek/. For more information about the Naval Academy please visit www.usna.edu or our Facebook page.

To view our full gallery of images and video from the Color Parade, please go here!

Kids’Art features the following:

The Children’s Theatre of Annapolis – Let CTA Second Stage entertain you! The brand-new traveling troupe from Children’s Theatre of Annapolis presents “Broadway Bound,” a musical revue featuring classic and modern Broadway tunes, sure to get your feet tapping. Sing along as local teens serenade you with songs such as “Lullaby of Broadway” (42nd Street), “For Good” (Wicked), and “No Day but Today” (Rent). CTA, established in 1959, produces three mainstage productions each year and offers a variety of educational workshops, classes and camps to Chesapeake-region families, allowing children ages 5 to 18 learn the ins and outs of singing, dancing, acting, technical skills and more.

Visit www.childrenstheatreofannapolis.org for more about CTA, Second Stage and our 2013-2014 season. CTA will perform on Saturday.

The Stageworkz Performance Company: Under the artistic direction of Vicki Smith, owner,The Stageworkz Performance Company will entertain as their talented group of young performers light up the stage. The 30 minute revue will dazzle audiences with songs and dances that are appropriate for all ages. The company is based out of the Stageworkz Theatre Arts Project in Millersville, Md., with performers ranging in age from 8 to 18.  They receive professional training in all genres of dance, voice, musical theatre performance, and narrative acting. They will perform on Saturday.

Bates Middle School Performing and Visual Arts Poster Contest Winners:

View the winning posters of the “Annapolis: The Arts” contest. They were judged on creativity and originality; quality of artistic composition and overall design based on the theme “Annapolis: The Arts.” All of the entries demonstrate outstanding examples of art employing many different genres and varied media.

Crystalooneys Creative Arts: Crystalloneys Creative Arts will be offering elaborate, henna tattoos and glitter tattoos for all ages as well as story time and songs by the a Crystalonneys Fairy. The creative mind behind the business is Christalene Karaiskakis, a multi-faceted visual artist born in South Africa, raised in Melbourne, Australia, and is Greek Cypriot.  Through her worldly travels, she has evolved into a passionate and intuitive artist. Her visions, feelings, experiences, as well as the artistry of the indigenous people of Australia greatly influence her works. They will perform both days.

“Roll Up “N Dye:” “I have always loved tie dye, performance, art, teaching, creating, and empowering others,” says Erin Cassell, owner of Roll Up ‘N Dye. “I use the best quality dyes both when I teach, and when I create pieces. These fiber reactive permanent dyes will not bleed or fade over time. Tie dye is beautiful, colorful, and a fun and creative art.” Visit Erin and her staff at the Kids’Art area and have fun making and purchasing your own tie dye shirt — or purchase from the assortment of clothing she has already created. They will be available both days.

Well-known for its maritime culture, colonial heritage and charming downtown shopping district on the Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis was named one of the nation’s Top 25 Arts Destinations in AmericanStyle magazine’s 12th Annual Arts Designation Poll. Winning cities were ranked for the high quality of their art galleries, festivals and events and for their warm welcome to art collectors and arts tourists.

The Navy-Marine Corps Stadium has ample parking, which makes it the ideal venue for the Festival. Directions: take Rt. 50 to Annapolis, take exit 24 (Rowe Blvd) and make the second right onto Taylor Ave. to the entrance at Gate 5. Parking is $5.00 per car.

Plenty of nearby hotel accommodations in every price range, continuous shuttle bus service to downtown and all of the many shops, restaurants and attractions of historic Annapolis are just some of the amenities visitors will enjoy while visiting the City of Annapolis for the weekend.  Check the festival website at www.annapolisartsandcraftsfestival.com or the Visitor’s Bureau website at: www.visitannapolis.org for suggestions on lodging.

Admission for the Arts, Crafts, and Wine Festival is $30.00. This entitles the ticket holder to wine tastings and purchases of wine as well as strolling among 200 arts and crafts exhibitors. Non-tasting tickets are $8.00 and ages 12 to 18 are $5.00. Children under 12 are free. Parking is $5.00 per car.

The Annapolis Arts and Crafts Festival is produced by City Dock Productions, an event management company with more than 36 years of experience presenting arts and crafts festivals, music festivals, wine festivals and other consumer product shows and public events.

For details, visit www.annapolisartscraftsandwinefestival.com or call 410.263.4012.

Advance tickets went on Sale on April 25, 2013.  Discounts are available for online purchases at our website www.somdsunmusicfest.org.  Please use Promo Code “FEST” at check out.

The Festival is supporting the following organizations:

• Calvert Hospice
• Project Echo (Providing temporary shelter for the Homeless)
• Hunters Hero’s (Childhood Cancer Awareness & Cure)
• Charlotte Hall Veteran’s Home

This year’s highlights include:

• Hot Air Balloon Rides
• Maryland Wines & Tastings
• Numerous Craft Beers
• BBQ Food Vendors
• Arts & Crafts
• Corn Hole Garden
• Kids Zone
• Poker Run for Car & Motorcycle Enthusiast

This year’s music combines all genres of music from National, Regional, and Local Musicians.

This year’s headliner for Saturday, June 15^th is Scarletta.  One of the fastest emerging country acts on the music scene. Scarletta was honored to be chosen as Billboard’s “Top Ten Artist to Watch in 2013” CMA has also chosen them as a CMA Close Up “Who’s New to watch in 2013” Their two latest videos, “Island Fever” and “Right here right now” Are rapidly becoming an overnight success.

For all the up to date information please visit www.somdsunmusicfest.org

All images (c) 2013, Glenn A. Miller Photography