Around The City | September 2008
By Mary P. Felter
Jessica Jordan, the owner of Paradigm on Main Street and president of the Annapolis Business Association, is getting married on Oct. 11 to
Russell Paret in St. Michaels at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. But unlike many other couples, this blessed event isn’t just about them. They are beginning their life with others in mind, specifically the women and children at the YWCA’s Arden House. So instead of registering for fine china, crystal and flatware, they decided to register for practical household items at Target stores nationwide to be donated to Arden House residents upon their exit from the safe house.
The two will be buying a house, merging their present two households, and believe they really don’t need any more material goods. Guests and any interested others may select items that Arden House needs, and Target will send them automatically to the nonprofit. Russell selected the Kennedy-Krieger Institute in Baltimore as his choice of charity. You can go to the websites of those nonprofits to make a donation.
“We think it’s a wonderful way for people to honor us and our wedding by supporting those who need help,” Jessica says.
Additional congratulations are due
Steven Fischer of Annapolis! In May the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences National Capital Chapter announced his nomination for his cinematography on the Civil War docu-drama “Now & Forever Yours: Letters to an Old Soldier,” which he also produced and directed.
The film retells the true story of a secret romance between a Southern belle named
Antonio Ford and Union Major
Joseph Willard (co-founder of the famous Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C.) between 1862 and 1864. They risked personal and professional ruin to culminate a love that was tragically lost with Ford’s untimely death. Their letters are archived at the Library of Congress and the Fairfax Museum in Virginia.
When a program such as “Now & Forever” (which aired in Virginia) is seen by less than 50 percent of American households, it qualifies for a regional Emmy. Steven has been nominated before, in 2000, for his “Silence of Falling Leaves,” a 60-second public service announcement in Polish honoring the 15,000 Polish prisoners of war murdered in the 1940 Katyn Forest Massacre. In April he won three statuettes from the 29th Telly Awards. So while he did not win this most recent award, he’s pleased the film is still being shown by Comcast. He’s now working on a film on the art of storytelling. Distribution will be worldwide this time.
On Sept. 14 the Friends of the Light House homeless shelter will host the fourth annual Ride for Shelter, a scenic bike ride around Annapolis to benefit the shelter. Riders will begin and end their 5, 15, 25 or 40 mile ride at the Naval Academy Stadium, where there also will be a kids’ ride on the track. Also planned – sponsor booths, kids’ activities, prizes, raffle, and more. You’ll get a t-shirt and have free coffee and snacks before and after the ride.
Frank Howard,
Jim Favret,
Bert Buell,
Rebecca Lagature and
Aimee Murphy are working on site plans;
Parker Jones and
Jay Murphy are route organizers; and
Elizabeth Kinney,
Karen Morgan, and
Lauren Michaelski are seeking sponsors.
Betsy Jackson,
Mary Grace Gallagher and
Becky Miller are on the communications committee.
Peri Lane,
Colby Wicker, and
Aimee Murphy are website and registration workers, with
Gid and
Cindy Montjoy working on community relations. Volunteers include
Debra Bird and
Natalie Klein, while
Chris Stelzig and
Bob Brogan are marketing committee members.
In the past three years, more than $35,000 has been raised, says
Colby Wicker, event coordinator. Sign up today at
www.rideforshelter.com.
Send your good news to Mary P. Felter at
mfelter@WhatsUpMag.com, call 410-267-9390, or send mail to me at What’s Up? Publishing Group, 929 West St., Suite 208A, Annapolis, MD 21401 See
my blog and let me know about photo opportunities at your events!
mary p. felter
sep 08
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