Maryland Tourism Day is scheduled for February 16 and Maryland Arts Day is scheduled for February 22. Maryland Tourism Day is sponsored by the Maryland Tourism Coalition and the Maryland Association of Destination Marketing Organizations, and provides an opportunity for tourism stakeholders to meet with their representatives to discuss the importance of tourism to the Maryland economy. For more information, visit the Maryland Tourism Coalition’s website.

Produced by Maryland Citizens for the Arts, Maryland Arts Day brings stakeholders together with lawmakers to provide an opportunity for dialogue on the importance of arts and arts funding to Maryland. For more information and registration, follow this link to mdarts.org.

Allegany County’s thriving culinary scene brought five Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine “Best of 2018 Awards” back to the Old Line State. The winners were Cumberland’s 1812 Brewery which won for “Best Brewery,” as well as “Best Bar/Pub,” Dante’s Bar; “Best Coffee Shop,” Clatter Coffee; “Best Farm-to-Table Restaurant," SHiFT; and “Best Winery," Toasted Goat, all in Frostburg.

This was Blue Ridge Outdoors’ fifth annual Best of Awards, and consisted of 75 categories selected in an online nomination and polling process. “What is impressive outside of the recognition is that many of these establishments are within a year or two of operation,” says Ashli Workman, Director of Tourism, Allegany County. “These awards not only symbolize their impact to our community and to the visitor experience, but the influence food culture has on destination travel.”

The Maryland Heritage Area Authority (MHAA) is pleased to announce that the Authority is now seeking applications for its FY 2019 grants cycle. MHAA provides dollar-for-dollar matching grants for capital and non-capital projects located within Maryland's 13 Certified Heritage Areas. Non-profit organizations, local jurisdictions, state agencies, and federal agencies are all eligible to apply. Non-capital MHAA grants are awarded from $5,000 to $50,000 and capital MHAA grants are awarded from $5,000 to $100,000 per project. MHAA will be holding a series of four in-person informational workshops and two webinars to provide guidance to potential applicants. Follow this link for more information and to register.

Maryland Traditions, the folklife program of the Maryland State Arts Council, is currently accepting applications for Apprenticeship Awards and Project Grants to fund folklife activities between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019. Applications for both programs are open until February 2, 2018. The Apprenticeship Award supports up to one year of study in folklife or living cultural traditions. During the study period, a master folklife practitioner passes down her or his knowledge to an apprentice in an effort to support the vitality of folklife in Maryland. Apprenticeships may focus on performance-based forms of folklife, such as storytelling, music, or dance; tangible forms of folklife, such as craft, costume, or food; or occupational forms of folklife, such as those found in maritime, agricultural, or architectural traditions.

Project Grants support short-term research and programming focused on folklife traditions. Successful grantees undertake projects directed by professionals, community scholars, organizations, or artists as they identify, document, support, or present Maryland folklife. Past Project Grants have funded the documentation of food traditions, the production of an album of folk music, and an oral history collection leading to the creation of an exhibit on community life. For more information, advice on application strategies, or other inquiries, contact Maryland Traditions Director Chad Edward Buterbaugh at (410) 767-6450 or chad.buterbaugh@maryland.gov. To access the Apprenticeship Award or Project Grant applications, visit http://www.msac.org/programs/maryland-traditions.

Pictured: Linda Goss of Baltimore City, a recipient of a 2013-2014 Apprenticeship Award for storytelling in the African-American tradition. Photo by Edwin Remsberg Photographs.

Make your nominations by this Friday, January 12, for the 29th annual Maryland Hotel Lodging Association’s (MHLA) “Stars of the Industry Awards.” This year there are fourteen categories, eight Employee Awards, five Lodging Property Achievement Awards, and the Allied Member Award. The award winners will be announced at the MHLA’s annual luncheon to be held February 8 at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. For more information, to make nominations, register for the luncheon, or to become a sponsor, follow this link to the MHLA website.

It’s a great time to be a foodie, with a dozen great restaurant weeks on the menu for January and February. Enjoy seasonal specials, prix fixe menu options, good times with friends and selections from amazing Maryland chefs. Follow these links to food weeks in Berlin, Jan 8-14; Baltimore City, Jan 12-21; Bethesda Magazine Restaurant Week, Jan 12-21; Harford County, Jan 19-28; Baltimore County, Jan 19-Feb 3; Howard County, Jan 22-Feb 5; Montgomery County, Jan 22-Feb 7; National Harbor, Feb 4-10; Calvert County, Feb 16-25; Havre de Grace, Feb 20-26; and, Annapolis, Feb 25-March 3.

Beginning in the Spring of 2018, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore will offer its hospitality and tourism management program at University System of Maryland Hagerstown. This bachelor’s degree program will prepare students to enter middle management positions in the lodging, restaurant, travel, attractions, meeting and convention, and food service industries. The program chair, Dr. Ernest Boger said, "This is not a culinary arts program, but rather it is about the “business of hospitality.” The program will be housed in a newly renovated campus Hospitality Center, which will include a teaching kitchen and dining room. Applications are being accepted now. Prospective students who are interested in learning more can contact Tiffany Ahalt, hospitality center coordinator, at tahalt@hagerstown.usmd.edu or 240-522-7552.