Bay Planner June 11-18

Celebrate the state, the water, the animals, the art of the Bay 

By Kathy Knotts 

What would the Patuxent River be without Bernie Fowler and his sneaker index? Pretty lonely, we imagine. Read ahead for ways to share your love for the Bay this week. 

Fowler Wade-In (and we watch) 

For the first time in 33 years of wading in to the Patuxent River to test the water clarity by looking at his sneakers, 96-year-old Fowler, a former state senator, will be doing it on Facebook Live without the throng of supporters and onlookers at his side. We encourage you to watch the event June 14, when Fowler steps into the water at Jefferson Patterson Park in St Leonard. And then head to your closest body of water and perform your own sneaker test.  

June 14, 1pm: www.facebook.com/events/239715107234454/ 

Maryland Day Unpaused 

The weekend of March 20-22 was supposed to bring thousands of visitors to Annapolis and southern Anne Arundel County to enjoy events at the areas’ historical, heritage and cultural sites. All of those events had to be canceled/paused when COVID-19 arrived. The event organizers have been working remotely during the past two months to reorganize and bring a new selection of events that you can enjoy virtually with your family and friends at no cost. The events and activities are all located at sites within or close by the Four Rivers Heritage Area, located between Annapolis and the southern tip of Anne Arundel County. This is a great time to safely explore and learn about the local heritage of this area. 

This is the 13th year that the Maryland Day celebration has been sponsored by the Four Rivers Heritage Area. “The participating sites have been working hard to adapt to changes,” says Erik Evans, marketing director for Maryland Day. “The participating sites wanted to find a way to connect with people during these times as they prepare for the future when they can see everyone in person. We hope you take the time to explore the activities of Maryland Day Unpaused.” 

www.MarylandDay.org  

Roll Up Your Sleeves 

The College of Southern Maryland partners with the American Red Cross to sponsor two blood drives at its Prince Frederick campus June 17 and 30. The blood drives coincide with the recent #SleevesUpMD challenge issued by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan and the Maryland State Police asking all Marylanders to raise pledges for blood donations. The blood drives will be held at the Building B Multipurpose Room, located at 115 J W Williams Rd., Prince Frederick Campus, 10am-4pm both days.  

RSVP: https://bit.ly/CSM_Blood2020 

In Anne Arundel County, the Southern Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce hosts a mobile blood drive at their office on Muddy Creek Road in Churchton, in collaboration with Anne Arundel Medical Center, Wednesday, June 17, 3-7pm. 

RSVP: https://bit.ly/2XLtl6h 

Creativity in Clay 

Artists with calvART Gallery explore diverse approaches to expressing creativity in two and three dimensions. Marie Bundy Estabrook (show Chairperson), Randy Estabrook, Denise Breitburg, Ray Bogle and Richard Preston host a virtual exhibit during the month of June, where their art and their stories will be highlighted. Witness this celebration of the creative mind as seen through the hands of these talented artists on their Facebook page or in-person at the now-open gallery in Prince Frederick (Friday-Sunday, 11am-5pm). Show runs till July 5. 

https://squareup.com/store/calvart-gallery

https://www.facebook.com/www.calvartgallery.org/

Tracking Dolphins 

Is there anything more magical than having dolphins frolicking (you can’t just call it swimming) alongside your kayak or sailboat? Dolphin sightings are becoming more frequent in the Bay and its major tributaries. Amber Fandel, Research Analyst with the Chesapeake Biological Lab has been investigating dolphin behavior as part of conservation efforts across the U.S. since 2012. She’ll share where and when dolphins are being sighted and how you can help track their progress up the Bay during an upcoming webinar with Chesapeake Bay Foundation.  

June 17, noon-1pm, rsvp: www.cbf.org