Annapolis or Marco Island? Which is Hotter?

It’s prettier in a picture.

We’ve been experiencing quite a heat wave here in Annapolis, Maryland. Hot sticky days and warm damp evenings make most of us seek out the comfort of air conditioned buildings. But my recent visit to Southern Florida has had the affect of making me think Annapolis in summer is not so bad, following the old adage it could always be worse!

Not that I didn’t have fun in Florida. I was on vacation, accompanyinig my husband Peter on a business trip, but for the very first time in my life I used up an entire tube of sunblock in less than a week. That’s how intense the sun was, pretty scary.

To avoid too much sun I did my beachcombing and swimming in the morning before 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. The ocean water was downright, warm, like bathwater.

One of my favorite places I visited on this trip was the summer home of Thomas Alva Edison, located right next to the summer home of Henry Ford in Fr. Myers.

It was actually a revisit, as I spent quite some time there 21 years ago while researching information for my first book on antique lamps, “American Lighting 1840-1940.”  One of my favorite stories I remember from my last visit was the guide telling us how Edison would sit at the end of his very long pier pretending to fish, just to have some time to himself.  This visit I heard  the story of how Edison was so obsessed with his research on developing a form of synthetic rubber that he’d work straight through the night and into the next day, falling asleep in his lab. Now that’s being obsessed with your work!

Edison had so many different ideas, from the toaster and waffle iron to the electric pen, phonograph, and movie camera. And now his idea for a rechargeable battery for the automobile just might be part of the solution towards energy conservation.

Air conditioning was not one of his inventions, I don’t think? What did they do in Florida at the end of the 19th century without it?

At any rate, Annapolis is refreshingly cool at least in the early morning. It’s good to be home.

There are some wonderful activities and fun things to do on the Southwestern Florida coast. As soon as I recover the photos off my camera, I’ll be posting a story on the www.WhatsUpMag.com website. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for the latest complete calendar of events for Annapolis and Maryland’s Eastern Shore, www.WhatsUpMag.com is the place to visit!

Summer in the City

When the heat climbs up towards 100 degrees, the only time to take a walk is early in the day. At 6:30 a.m. it’s still reasonably cool enough for a light jog down to City Dock.

Oh how I wish the Farmers’ Market on Sundays would open even earlier than 8:00 a.m.. As the sun rises high in the sky I’m already starting to wilt even if the lovely produce stays fresh and fragrant under sheltering tents. Located at Fawcett’s parking lot, it remains open until noon. And then if you’re still in the mood for Farmers’ Market Shopping you can head over to the parking lot of the Annapolis Westfield Mall where the market will just be opening for the afternoon.

On my way home this Monday morning, cup of coffee in hand, I noticed a newly emptied storefront on Main Street. Comfort One Shoes is gone, kaput, vanished. Not even the remnant of the storefront sign remains. This was a place that I liked to buy shoes, so I take note of what they’re showing in the window and when they’re having a sale.  I checked the Comfort One Shoes website when I got to the office and noticed the Annapolis location is no longer listed. Wow that was fast. I called the corporate offices and talked with the vice president of sales. He preferred not to give a comment except to let customers know that if they call the Annapolis store phone number, their call will be forwarded. If they want to go shopping for shoes, they’ll have to drive to Baltimore.

Further up the street La Belle Cezanne, formerly located at 117 Main Street appears to be nicely settled into their new storefront at 184-86 Main Street, the multi-storied brick building that replaced the building devastated by fire back in 1997. They now have a multi-level space with plenty of alcoves for displaying their fine jewelry.

Closer to my home, the news is that the Starbucks at Park Place is slated for closing. Ironically they just opened, seem to be quite busy, and may have been a factor in the demise of Cafe Matisse, a locally owned coffee shop that had to close.  Evenings the outside dining areas of Fado and Carpaccios are bustling with business. The economic times may be a bit shaky, but people are still spending money.

Want to find out more on what’s up in Annapolis and through-out the Chesapeake Bay region? Visit our website at www.WhatsUpMag.com

July 4th Parade Celebrates Freedom

The Fife and Drum kicks off the Annapolis July 4th Parade

                       

                                                                           

 

 

Despite cloudy skies and intermittent raindrops, Annapolitans gathered downtown, umbrellas in hand to watch the annual July 4^th

 

parade. “The regulars” brought folding chairs and staked out prime locations, that provided some shelter such as building overhangs and bus stop waiting shelters. Their children brought bags to gather all the candy that was sure to be thrown from passing floats and small flags to wave.

 

There were the usual display of antique cars, fire engines, and politicians. Mayor Moyer, Governor O’Malley, members of the State Senate and Congress as well as campaign representatives for presidential hopefuls Senator McCain and Senator Obama all handed out flyers. Paws Pet Boutique had organized a march of dogs and their owners. Children rode in wagons, the fife and drummers played patriotic tunes all donned in the traditional red, white and blue.

 

But none could compare with a new display in a different color, the color of deep yellow gold. A large yellow banner imprinted in red with Falu Dafa and the words truthfulness, compassion, tolerance grabbed my attention. A float with individuals dressed in yellow gold and red jackets and trousers doing meditation exercises and a colorful dragon carried by similarly dressed marchers made an impressive display.

Falun Dafa Banner made an impact at the parade.

 July 4th, the birthday of our country, celebrates liberty and freedom.

 

 

 

 

Followers of Falun Gong, founded in 1992 and based on Buddhist teachings, seek to achieve a state of selflessness, greater insight and awareness, inner purity and balance.  There are between 70 and 100 million people in China who practice Falun Gong. But in 1999, the Chinese government banned the religion.

 

 

Evidently those seeking to publicize the plight of Falun Gong,  chose our July 4th Annapolis Parade to make us aware that while we celebrate our freedom, other nations are not so fortunate.

 Like many religions banned in China, followers of Falun Gong are subject to persecution and torture.

 

At the time I was watching the parade I admired the flowing movements and burst of color not knowing what Falu Dafa really meant or why they were marching. It wasn’t until today, researching on the Internet that I learned their purpose in joining the festivities.  And I was reminded to take nothing for granted and be thankful for my freedom to believe what I want to believe.