Lt. Governor Boyd K. Rutherford visited the 9/11 Memorial of Maryland at Baltimore’s World Trade Center to pay his respects and mark the anniversary of the terror attacks. During his visit, the Lt. Governor addressed those in attendance and laid a ceremonial wreath at the base of the memorial honoring those who lost their lives, their families, and those who have sacrificed in the continuing war on terror.

The memorial, which was dedicated on September 11, 2011, includes three steel beams-- artifacts from the Twin Towers-- resting on a marble pedestal etched with the names of Marylanders lost in the attack. In addition, three limestone artifacts from the Pentagon and large black granite monoliths representing those lost in Shanksville, PA, are featured in the memorial's design. An accompanying exhibit at the Top of the World Observation Level on the 27th floor of the World Trade Center features artifacts and stories of the Marylanders lost that day. The memorial, which is administered by the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC), is free and open to the public.

The Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance’s annual media marketplace is underway in Talbot County this week. Returning to Maryland for the first time in 12 years, MATPRA 2016 is the best-attended event in the organization’s history, drawing nearly 70 DMOs and more than 50 journalists representing National Geographic Traveler, Southern Living, The Huffington Post, and others. “Having MATPRA in Talbot County allows us to showcase Maryland’s remarkable travel assets, while presenting a cohesive tourism picture of the entire Mid-Atlantic,” says Leslie Troy, communications specialist, OTD, and current MATPRA chair.

(Shown above: Dennis McFadden, Director, Academy Art Museum, Easton, MATPRA Chair Leslie Troy, and Cassandra Vanhooser, Director, Talbot County Office of Tourism)

Liz Fitzsimmons, managing director of the Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts; Lucy Chittenden, assistant director, interactive services; and Brian Lawrence, assistant director, communications and marketing, led an OTD delegation to the U.S. Travel Association’s annual Educational Seminar for Tourism Organizations (ESTO). ESTO is the premier annual learning and knowledge-sharing forum for destination marketing professionals, and was established to help destination professionals develop new tools and techniques and debate pressing issues affecting the tourism industry. This year’s event was held in Boca Raton, FL, and drew more than 800 leaders in the travel and tourism industry from across the nation.

(Shown above, from left to right: Sam Rogers, Visit Baltimore; Kelly Groff, Visit Montgomery; Melissa Muntz, Tourism Council of Frederick; Lucy Chittenden, OTD; Liz Fitzsimmons, OTD; Sarah Kurtanich and Amanda Hof, Howard County Tourism Council; and Brian Lawrence, OTD.)

Jack Gerbes, director, Maryland Film Office, addressed a large and enthusiastic crowd during the 5th Annual Washington DC South Asian Film Festival at Montgomery College last weekend, then joined Montgomery College president DeRionne P. Pollard in presenting the festival’s awards. The festival, which has grown rapidly in the five years since its inception, celebrates the best alternative films from India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. In addition to screenings, the festival hosted panels and networking events for local filmmakers from South Asia.

(Shown above, Jack Gerbes, at right, joined by festival attendees, presents Jeffrey D. Brown, center, with the Achievement Award for Social Awareness on Human Trafficking.)

The final day of filming of writer/director Matt Porterfield's "Sollers Point" ended with a splash. The Maryland Film Office worked with the Maryland Transportation Authority and the Maryland Department of Environment on a stunt in which a main character drives a car into the water beneath the Interstate 695 approach to the Key Bridge. The film, starring Jim Belushi and McCaul Lombardi, is Porterfield's fourth feature film to be shot locally. His previous films have screened at the prestigious Sundance, Berlin and South by Southwest film festivals.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has consolidated three operating assistance programs into one Operating Assistance Grants application for FY17 funding: the Main Street Improvement Program, the Nonprofit Assistance Fund and the Technical Assistance Grants. Program funds, totaling $1,000,000, are available as follows: Main Street Improvement Program: $150,000; the Nonprofit Assistance Fund: $700,000 and the Technical Assistance Grant: $150,000. Applications are due today, September 15 at 5:00 p.m., and applicants may apply for any and all programs for which they qualify.

In order to obtain an Operating Assistance Grant application, you must log in to the Department’s Project Portal: http://projectportal.dhcd.state.md.us. Once logged in, you can access the application by selecting “Operating Assistance Grants” from the “View My Opportunities” button. For questions concerning the application or required documents please contact Karen Forbes at 410-209-5809 or karen.forbes@maryland.gov.

Each week, the Maryland Minute provides highlights and showcases events around the state. Maryland Minute is featured on CBS radio stations in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. and on Baltimore’s WBAL-AM 1090.