In The Know--Eye On Annapolis May 2012 Newsletter

Published: Thu, 05/03/12

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     In The Know
     May 2012
Eye On Annapolis
A New Look

-- our newsletter has a new look.  What do you think? We thought the old one looked a bit cluttered and were planning a re-design, but as luck would have it, our email management company re-developed their platform--so we have no choice.

If you feel so inclined, drop us an email and let us know your thoughts. While you're at it, let us know how we are doing in general!

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Upcoming Events
EOS
May 4th, 5th, and 6th

This weekend is a killer weekend for events! It all starts out with the NOOD One Design Regatta on Thursday, morphs into the barBAYq on Friday and Saturday, the Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival on Saturday and Sunday, The Annapolis Comedy Festival on Saturday, The City Fair on Saturday and Sunday, and the First Sunday Arts Festival on Sunday! Whew! Toss in many Cinco de Mayo  celebrations and it is a jam packed weekend for sure.
Eye On Annapolis
Mark Your Calendars

The summers in Anne Arundel County are packed with festivals and events. Please be sure to read Eye On Annapolis (and check our online calendar) to keep up to speed. But there are a few biggies so grab your crayon and mark your calendar for these great events--most of which are supporting a local charity! You will be hearing plenty about these events from us in the coming weeks and months!
Special Offer For Subscribers

Valid through 05/04/2012

Join our friends at Barhopolis as they take a group of revelers on a tour of our downtown watering holes on Cinco de Mayo. Your ticket includes the tour, a free drink, discounted drinks, and plenty of surprises along the way.

When purchasing, use the code EYEONCINCO to receive your 50% discount!
News From The Site
HELP US
We need your help!  We are considering an additional and optional newsletter for our readers. Someone mentioned that they would like to hear from us more often in their email boxes. What do you think? Please let us know in this very short poll!

OUR NUMBERS
In case you are wondering, we are still growing by leaps and bounds. We launched in March 2009 and by year's end we saw 90,000 visitors. Fast forward to 2012, and in January alone, we saw 86,000! When coupled with our Facebook page (46,000 fans), our Twitter followers (8,500) and this newsletter (3,600) we have the largest measurable reach of any media outlet in the county.  If you, or anyone you know is interested in advertising please have them request a media kit. We are affordable and effective.

THE MONTHLY BUZZ
This month was not without controversy in Anne Arundel County.  Among our top ten stories of the month (in no particular order), we saw Annapolis City approve the raising of chickens for city residents and lose a bid to build a garage on Compromise Street. There was a sex offender in the Glen Burnie Panera Bread store and three stabbed at the Edgewater Elks Lodge.

And of course, you can't miss Chowin' Down--our restaurant review column. This past month saw Mike's Crab House, Cafe Normandie, The Boatyard Bar & Grill, Saladworks, and Sin Fronteras on our crosshairs!

But one of the most read stories was our report on a screening of the new movie, Bully with WRNR's Alex Cortright and First Lady Katie O'Malley. Bullying is an issue in our schools and Eye On Annapolis is working on several original stories that will highlight just how bad it has become. During the screening one brave teacher asked the First Lady how to address an administration that dissuades teachers from reporting acts of bullying by insisting they use a minor infraction report.  Up next week is a story of a girl who has been bullied from Southern Middle School all the way through Southern High School with no real resolution from the administration or the school district.

THE SOCIAL CONNECTION
As everyone is aware, social media is not going anywhere. We have integrated several platforms into the site and encourage you to use them.

Comments
--you can log in to leave a comment on ANY story using your Facebook, Twitter, Open Source or other ID. You can even leave anonymous comments. Part of the new media is to have a conversation, Your opinion is important to us!

Social Sharing--at the top and bottom of each article are multiple opportunities to share with your friends and colleagues. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+--you name it, we have it. Please share our stories by giving us a click on the stories you appreciate and like!

And if you are a little confused about social media, we have started a free site to hopefully sort it all out. Social Annapolis is live, but still under development. Take a look. You might find a tip!

Our Sponsors
-- we are so appreciative of our sponsors. Of course we solicit advertisers and often we are approached by companies and organizations to help spread their message. What you may not know is that we are very particular and we do not accept advertising from just anyone.  We truly support local businesses and believe that they are the core of a vibrant economy. We also believe that these advertisers are the cream of the crop (of course they have exquisite taste in advertising as well) and encourage you to support them, click their ads and check them out.

HOMESTEAD GARDENS--Homestead is one of the most community oriented businesses you will find. In addition to their business, they support the local Boy Scouts, the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund, and much more!

ZACHARY'S JEWELERS--A staple of Main Street for decades and more recently Severna Park. When they suffered a fire, the community came together for them. And they have been giving back ever since. If you are downtown on Saturday, check out the Kabana Trunk Show from 10am to 530pm.

RAMS HEAD ON STAGE--From a small bar to a multi location entertainment conglomerate, Rams Head offers it all. Fine foo and the best entertainment in the area. They will be bringing the Silopanna Music Festival to the area in August! We respectfully request that the hurricane gods smile down on Silopanna this year!

WILD WILLY'S --Located on the outskirts of town next to the Annapolis Towne Centre is Wild Willy's. Annapolis is in need of a good sports bar and this place fills the bill. But more importantly, Willy (yes there really is a guy named Willy) is always willing to offer up the venue to support local fundraising efforts!

THE CITY OF ANNAPOLIS--Yes, despite our editorial criticism at time, they are sponsoring us with their Circulator Trolley initiative. If you are unaware of the FREE trolley, you owe it to yourself to check it out (click the ad). Discounted parking at Knighton or Park Place and a free ride around town--soon to come to Eastport!

CHESAPEAKE BAY TRUST --They are smaller than the "other" organization, but have no problem getting their boots dirty and really making a difference in the health of the bay. Just recently, they were the recipient of a Groupon deal where pledges went to removal of trah from the Bay. Now that's something we can all get behind!

FLOYD'S BARBERSHOP--OK, so they are a national chain of uber cool barber shops. But did you know they had their start in Bowie? Yes, three brothers developed the concept and ran with it. Now they are well represented here in the County with stores in Annapolis and Crofton.

SONIC --Also a national chain, but owned by a Davidsonville resident. Sonic was long awaited and from the looks at the lines, much appreciated. As summer approaches, stop by their Edgewater location and try one of the custom blended ices. It is the perfect addition to a hot summer's day!

SCHOONER WOODWIND--Annapolis is a sailing town and there is no better way to see it than from the water on the deck of one of the Woodwinds. If you own your own boat, it's better--no work! The Woodwinds offer specialty sails, group sails, and a romantic boat and breakfast package. Check it out!

MIDDLETON TAVERN, OBRIEN'S OYSTER BAR, OB's PRIME, AND ANNAPOLIS UNPLUGGED --These are the quintessential Annapolis dining establishments run by the the Hardestys who have been in Annapolis for generations. Annapolis Unpplugged is a series of very local (and upcoming) live music brought into their restaurants--often coupled with a WRNR event! THe food is consistently great as is the service.
The End!
EOA
Thank You!

And finally, thank you for taking the time to visit the site, to engage with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and subscribe to this newsletter!

As a reward for making it all the way to the bottom of this newsletter, the first five people to click this link to email me, will receive 2 tickets to the Annapolis Irish Festival on July 14th! They are real tickets, so please leave a mailing address!

And until next month, we'll see you around the county!

All the best--
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Chesapeake Bay Wine Festival Naptown BarBayQ The Annapolis Comedy Festival Rams Head On Stage Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival Wild Willy's Annapolis Circulator Trolley Silopanna Music Festival Chesapeake Bay Trust 2012 Wingstock Festival Floyds Barbershop Sonic R2Hop2 Schooner Woodwind Zachary's Jewelers Annapolis Irish Festival Middleton Tavern