Conservation and art take wing together this weekend at the 39th annual Waterfowl Festival in Easton, for a three-day extravaganza celebrating the Chesapeake Bay's wildlife and outdoors heritage.

Starting Friday, Nov. 13, there'll be antique and contemporary decoys to view (and buy), plus paintings, photos and other arts and crafts, fly-fishing and retriever dog demonstrations as well as goose- and duck-calling contests. Besides the arts and crafts, there'll be food and music, plus outdoor gear for shoppers.

The event has raised more than $5 million in donations for wildlife conservation projects. Besides the good cause, it's quite a scene. Festivities begin at 10 a.m., and admission is $10 for all three days, with kids under $12 free.

For tickets or information, go here or call 410-822-4567.

(2004 Associated Press photo)

Posted by Tim Wheeler at 10:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Buy local, Chesapeake Bay, Events, Shopping, Tips
        

Looking for craftwork with a green flavor? There's a new glass gallery opening this month in Baltimore that proclaims itself "100 percent green."

Portable Rainbows Glass Art Gallery, at 6500 Brook Avenue, will get all of its electricity from wind power, purchased through a local renewable energy brokerage, according to scupltor/owner Frances Aubrey. Aubrey says she gets her glass from an environmentally conscious Oregon source, and she volunteers her time in working to get climate-change legislation passed.

Besides its green pedigree, the gallery will be a bit different in its emphasis - featuring methods of creating glass art other than blowing, such as fusing, slumping, casting, and painting. Aubrey says she'll display and sell glasswork from several other local artists as well as her own sculptures and jewelry. Sculptures are to be priced from $300 up, and glass jewelry under $100.

Posted by Tim Wheeler at 7:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Buy local, Events, Fashion
        

Maryland ag officials are promoting local apples in September. The state has a number of orchards where you can pick your own. And farmers' markets and grocery stores also offer the locally grown fruit. You can find a place nearby on the Maryland's Best site.

Last year, local growers produced 33 million pounds of apples with a value of $8 million, according to the Maryland Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Almost every county has at least one active commerical orchard.

On the buy local theme, all Maryland school systems are also offering locally-grown products in school lunches from Sept. 14-18, during Homegrown School Lunch Week.  Some schools -- such as those in Baltimore City -- will offer local foods all years. Some of the foods include fruits, vegetables, bread, cheese and meats.

State Agriculture Secretary Buddy Hance said the school lunch program, in its second year, will help educate students about where their food comes from, how it's produced and the benefits of a healthy diet. It also is supporting local farmers, preserving open space and reducing emissions from transporting food from far away.

This site offers tips on packing a zero waste lunch year-round.

Baltimore Sun file photo from an orchard in Darlington/Colby Ware

Posted by Meredith Cohn at 2:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Categories: Buy local