Around Town

  • 26th Annual Annapolis Cup:
    St. John's/Naval Academy Croquet Match
    St. John's Campus, 60 College Ave., Annapolis. 1 p.m.
    This event features picnics, gowns and hats, serenades by the St. John's Freshman Chorus, and swing music by the Naval Academy's Trident Bass Band. sellers
  • It is the time of year when people are very torn as to who they should root for. On one hand there are the brilliant minds of the book carrying students of St. John College. Students devoted to the study of the Classics and the Western Canon...{pause while I google what western canon actually means}
  • Click here to know what I now know.
  • In the other corner is the United States Naval Academy...they too are brilliant. But they also have boats (I love boats) and jets and uniforms and chivalry and a better chance of saving me in the instance of a national emergency. GO NAVY!
    (Plus: as you can clearly see to the right one of the teams is FAR better looking)

    The following is from What's Up Annapolis Magazine:
    The odds were against this 26-year tradition due to a few clouds and some raindrops. The tents were erected, the food was laid out, the libations were opened – and the crowds did come. Most spectators were happy simply to be there, regardless of the outcome and despite the fact that the St. John’s Chorus and Naval Academy Trident Brass Band were not there to accompany the games’ triumphs and tribulations.
  • The Johnnies, dressed in crisp, if only slightly disheveled, white sailor uniforms, and led by their wicket (captain), Ian Hanover, won the match against the U.S. Naval Academy. They were victorious in three out of five games. Most of the people in attendance seemed to be unaware of the actual score. With so much to see and do, it was easy to forget a game was being played. The outfits, almost in defiance of the forecast, were a feast for the eyes, just as elaborate and creative as ever: flower-covered straw hats; pinstripe suits; long, flowing dresses; skimmer caps; crimson-flowered parasols; pink bunny slippers. And there was no holding back on the essentials: starched, white table cloths were covered in flower arrangements, chandeliers, candlesticks, tiered sandwich trays, and plenty of wine glasses for friends and strangers alike. Regardless of who won, Annapolitans who withstood the scattered showers were not disappointed in the festivities. Once again, it was another great year of an event which brings together the two local colleges – the Naval Academy and St. John’s College.

  • Spring is finally here!
  • I just called my daughters to announce the beginning of the planting season. Begin the numerous trips back and forth to Home Depot and Homestead Gardens for mulch, pots, fertilizer and any promising new garden hose containment system that may happen to be on the market.

  • And don't look down your nose at needing a fresh beautiful garden - Annapolis is a place where people get out and walk. You will find families and couples out-and-about enjoying the weather, walking to lunch down town, or just using canine companionship as an excuse to go down and get another cup of coffee. And maybe a scone. I mean who doesn't want a scone?

    But looking at gardens and porches and plantings is the icing on the cake. People around here care about the village charm that a garden adds, there is even a notable Garden Tour.
    Steady yourself - I know it's all very exciting.

  • May 31st- The ninth annual Secret Garden Tour of Annapolis’ Historic Districts charming and seldom seen gardens will offer garden enthusiasts an opportunity to visit 15 privately owned gardens.  The tour is in the neighborhood surrounding Annapolis’ Historic City Hall; Duke of Gloucester, Charles, Conduit, Market & Green Streets.

  • You don't have to be a little old lady or a garden know it all to go, either. Twenty five dollars warrant's you entrance into the guilty pleasure of perusing the back yards and private outdoor living spaces of people that may never invite you over for a BBQ. What a time saver! You almost have to go. This is partially how I got into real estate - the need to see what other people are doing with their stuff.
  • Tickets can be purchased by check, cash, Visa or MasterCard through the Hammond-Harwood House, 19 Maryland Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401. For further information, phone 410/263-4683 x 15 or e-mail officemanager@hammondharwoodhouse.org. For images of the 2006 Secret Garden Tour, click here
  • The City Dock
    sellers This is shameless promotion. This is my "Cheers". I wake up every morning and take the dogs for a nice walk through town to the City Dock Coffee Shop located at 18 Market Space in the heart of Annapolis. The variety of people is impressive - sailors walking straight off the water taxi from their boats, military folks from the Naval Academy, politicians, professors and students from St. John's College up the Hill and just normal semi-comatose customers from the neighborhood, like me. Oh, and they have good coffee too. When accompanied by their freshly made mixed berry scone - it is a recipe for a very good start to the day.