February 15th our speaker will be Maria Dorsett, Business Retention Specialist, Department of Economic Development, Calvert County.  She'll be telling us about the latest programs that Economic Development has and is involved in to help businesses!  We'll be at Herrington Harbour at 8am.
 
March 21st our speaker will be Connie O'Dell, Chair, Chesapeake Beach Stars & Stripes Committee.  This is the group that is organizing the first annual Stars and Stripes celebration of Memorial Day. We'll be at the Rod 'N' Reel at 8am.

Visit the tasting room on Monday, February 20, 2012 from noon - 5 pm. Pack a picnic and bring your friends.

ALSO..Running Hare's February Live Music Schedule:

Saturday noon - 4 pm    Sunday 1 pm - 5 pm

Saturday, February 18th-  music by Mike Butler

 
Sunday, February 19th-  music by Radio Caroline
 
Saturday, February 25th-  music by Brandon Kennedy
 
Sunday, February 26th-  music by Gerry Swarbrick

http://runningharevineyard.com/

The Calvert County Departments of Economic Development and Planning and Zoning will host a forum on county signage regulations on Monday, Feb. 27, 6-8:30 p.m. at the Calvert County Fairgrounds, 140 Calvert Fair Drive in Prince Frederick.

The forum will give residents and business owners an opportunity to review the current sign ordinances and offer feedback on potential changes to county sign regulations. Community feedback will be taken on signage size, signs on vehicles, temporary signs, off-premise/directional signs, electronic signs and other outdoor advertising methods.

As part of the sign regulation review effort, an ad hoc committee of business owners, citizens groups, commission members and residents has come together to study the issue. The committee will consider public input from the forum as it works to draft new regulations.Seating for the forum is limited and preregistration is required. To learn more or to preregister, contact Sandy Bentley on 410-535-4583 or email bentlesf@co.cal.md.us.

The Office on Aging along with WISER (Women's Institute for a Secure
Retirement) is presenting A Day Late and a Dollar Short: Retirement "Catch Up" Strategies

Thursday, March 22, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. at Calvert Pines Senior Center. 

The seminar is free and for informational purposes only. You will not hear a sales pitch. Learn ways to catch up on your savings and improve your retirement prospects. To register call Calvert County Office on
Aging at 410-535-4606 or 301-855-1170

The Breckinridge Tobacco Barn has been entered in a contest through Dwell magazine in hopes of winning $10,000 for preservation.

The winning entry is decided by popular vote so vote early and often before February 20th at http://new.dwell.com/contests/rethinking-preservation/submissions/the-breckinridge-tobacco-barn

There's no limit on how many times you vote.

About the Breckinridge Tobacco Barn: The Breckinridge Tobacco Barn is located on the grounds of Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum in Southern Maryland. Erected in the late 19th century by the Peterson family and their tenant farmers, the Bowen family, it was used for air drying tobacco. Tobacco cultivation was historically the main source of income for much of the population in Southern Maryland. 
 

In May 2004, the National Trust for Historic Preservation included Southern Maryland tobacco barns in its 2004 list of America's Eleven Most Endangered Historic Places. The main threats to the survival of Southern Maryland's historic tobacco barns are suburban development and the state tobacco buyout program. The Breckinridge Barn, while protected, is used only for ancillary storage. Despite the valiant efforts of Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum staff it is largely neglected in these times of economic turmoil. The building needs a new roof, flooring, water, lighting (electricity has been run to it) and the interior needs renovation in order to allow the barn to be used as a space where we can teach the new generation in Southern Maryland about their heritage.

The Department of Economic Development is sponsoring a free marketing seminar entitled Staying Relevant in a Changing Marketplace: Marketing Strategies for Today's Entrepreneurs.

This is the first in a three-part series that will continue throughout the coming months.

This seminar will cover:
Creating a customer profile that will allow you to communicate more effectively to your customer base
Branding your business and develop familiarity
Attaining excellent customer service and fostering customer relationships
Budgeting and collecting key data

Wednesday, March 7, 2012
8:30-10:30 a.m.(Sign-in begins at 8 a.m.) Calvert Library
850 Costley Way, Prince Frederick
 
Pre-registration is required by March 5, 2012. Please contact Gypsy Stephenson at 410.535.4583 or stephejt@co.cal.md.us

The 2012 Calvert County Visitors Guide is now available!

The Visitors Guide contains information on shopping, restaurants and county visitor attractions like Breezy Point Beach & Campground, Annmarie Garden, Calvert Marine Museum, Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, historic churches, five local wineries and many other places of interest.
 

The guide also features contact information and details on charter boating, marinas, boat ramps, campgrounds, golf courses, accommodations and biking/hiking trails as well as a listing of major events throughout the year.

To receive free copies of the 2012 Visitors Guide or for more information on county attractions and events, please contact the Calvert County, Maryland, Department of Economic Development at 410-535-4583 or 800-331-9771 or via email at info@ecalvert.com. Visit online at www.ecalvert.com