Local glass artwork at Annmarie

Writer'S NOTEBOOK

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2009

Win Peterman's glass artworks, titled "Primary Colors" and "On a Clear Day" are part of National Capital Art Glass Guild's "Celebrations" exhibit at the museum.

"Yes I am [excited]," Peterman said. "It's a great venue. The windows, the open floor space are real conducive to glass, especially large pieces of glass."

Peterman found inspiration for her work from Calvert County landscapes near her home, she said.

"The ‘Primary Colors' was more of an abstractual design. Sort of like painting, you just turn your imagination loose, go with it and hope it turns out well," she said. "The other one is ‘On a Clear Day.' It's more the scene from where I live, on Wind Cliff, off Dares Beach. The rushes and the water and the sun and birds — it's more of a nautical scene."

Peterman has heard from friends who have seen her work in exhibition.

"Yes, in fact, a lot of my friends were saying, ‘I was in Annmarie Garden and saw your glass."

Peterman has worked with many other media, calling glass her "last love." She started out with watercolor and moved on to silk painting, sculpture and acrylics before joining the glass guild.

"It's just great being able take one medium, transform ideas from that into another one. And glass is so phenomenal with things you can do with it, so it's always an exploration," she said.

Peterman's art is on display at Chesapeake Gallery and House of Frames in Prince Frederick; Maris-Elaine Gallery in Cambridge; Gallery 1683 in Annapolis; Abbacino Galleria, in Venice, Fla.; and Shore Living in Dunkirk, according to a release.

Public meeting about BGE electric bills

For those looking for a different kind of Valentine's Day celebration, residents of northern Calvert County are invited to a meeting Saturday, Feb. 14, with representatives of Baltimore Gas and Electric Company. The mayors of North Beach and Chesapeake Beach are hosting the meeting together in response to citizen complaints about high electric bills for BGE customers, according to a release.

Bonnie Johansen, senior government relations representative of Constellation Energy, owner of BGE, and other representatives will be there to answer questions, discuss energy conservation, how to read a bill and other subjects.

Concerns about individual bills should be brought to the attention of BGE prior to this meeting since it takes up to two weeks to get responses to these inquiries, the release said.

For more information, contact Michelle Jenkins, Chesapeake Beach town administrator, at 410-257-2230, or mjenkins@chesapeake-beach.md.us, or Stacy Wilkerson, North Beach town clerk at 301-855-6681, or northbeach@chesapeake.net.

Scholarships available for local high school seniors

The John E. Harms Jr. Foundation Inc. is currently accepting applications for its 2009 scholarship program, which will consist of three $2,500 scholarships available only to Calvert County high school seniors.

Applicants must demonstrate a genuine financial need, have a high school "B" average or above and plan to attend college within Maryland. Application forms may be obtained from guidance counselors at all four Calvert County public high schools, or by written request to the John E. Harms Jr. Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 827, Prince Frederick, MD 20678.

Deadline for the receipt of each completed application is March 31. The scholarships will be awarded by May 1.

Recipients of the 2008 scholarship included Gregory L. Baker (Calvert High School), Emily J. Brinker (Northern High School), Dynika V. Gross and Cory S. Nusser (Huntingtown High School).

United Way fundraisers coming up

On Wednesday, Jan. 28, Maria Buehler, candidate for queen of the 2009 United Way Mardi Gras, will play the role of guest bartender at Jake & Al's Chophouse in Lusby. Guests that evening will have a chance to enter a raffle to win a $50 gift certificate to Jake & Al's, and all tips earned by Buehler will be donated to United Way of Calvert County. Raffle tickets are $1 each. To learn more about how you can support Buehler in her race to become Queen of the United Way Mardi Gras, call 410-286-0100.

Another fundraiser will be hosted by Mike Benton, candidate for King of the 2009 United Way Mardi Gras fundraiser, who invites you to a wine and chocolate tasting on Saturday, Jan. 24, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Friday's Creek Winery in Owings. Tickets are $25 in advance and $35 at the door, and all proceeds will benefit United Way of Calvert County. The United Way selection committee nominated Mike Benton to run for the King of the 2009 Mardi Gras. Every dollar raised by him counts as a vote in his candidacy. To RSVP or purchase tickets for the Wine & Chocolate Tasting, call Mike at 410-610-5614, or e-mail him at mike@mikebenton.net.

Money raised by any candidate will benefit 40 United Way partner programs that make a difference in the lives of those living in Calvert County.

County receives finance award

Calvert County's Department of Finance and Budget was recently awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada for its comprehensive annual financial report. The GFOA is a nonprofit professional association serving approximately 17,000 government finance professionals, according to a release.

The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management. In a statement, GFOA noted that the award "reflects the commitment of the governing body and staff to meeting the highest principles of government budgeting."

For information on the Calvert County Department of Finance and Budget, call 410-535-1600, Ext. 2435; send an e-mail to shannotl@co.cal.md.us; or go to www.co.cal.md.us/government/departments/finance/.

emitrano@somdnews.com