The 2nd annual Chesapeake Eco-triathlon takes place at 10 am, Saturday, Sept. 20 at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center in Grasonville. Advance registration is required.

The event is open to athletes 12 and older in the two, three, and four person team events. Individual athletes must be at least 18.

Events include a 10 mile mountain bike race, a three mile bouyed kayak course on Prospect Bay, and a four mile trail run. Teams compete as relay members in male, female or co-ed categories based on age. Individuals compete in kayaking, biking, and running, based on their own personal judgements. Athletes may bring their own kayaks or use one furnished by event organizers

Register online at www.active.com, www.bayrestoration.org or www.oymp.net. Applications are available at area bike and kayak shops or call 410-827-3771. Deadline is Sept. 5. All proceeds go to benefit CBEC.

Stevensville's Cub Scout Pack 496 presents the Kent Island Crab Festival at the KI Elks Lodge 2576 on Sept. 14.

Steamed crabs, crab dawgs, and crab soup are on the menu. Also planned is a moon bounce, kids games and a silent auction.

No entry fee and a coupon is available. Information: 410-643-0716 or 410-643-2155

A fundraiser to benefit Channel Marker Inc., takes place Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008, 5:30-9:30 pm at the Easton Club Pavilion.

The all you can eat event will feature steamed crab, fried chicken, pulled pork, BBQ, corn on the cob, potato salad, water melon, cookies & brownies, draft beer and iced tea. Music by DJ Ground Hog (Erik Higgins).

Originally established as a psychiatric rehabilitation program for adults, the organization works toward reducing the stigma of mental illness by providing programs to enhance the functioning of individuals recovering from severe mental illness.

In 1998, Channel Marker, Inc. began providing community based rehabilitation services for youth (family, school and community based support). Although our psychiatric rehabilitation services for youth are currently offered only in Dorchester county, we have expanded our services to include several grant funded programs for children in Caroline and Talbot counties.

Channel Marker, Inc. is licensed by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and is a provider of service under the Maryland Public Mental Health System.

The logo of Channel Marker is the lighthouse and the buoy representing the channel markers that help to lead the way for those on the water. Hence the saying “Like a marker in the bay, we help each other find the way.”

An auction and raffle is also planned. Advance tickets $50 per person or $55 at the door. Contact the website or call 410-822-4618. Visa, MC, & American Express accepted. All proceeds go to Channel Marker Inc.

The Kent Island Federation of Arts, 405 Main Street, Stevensville, holds its annual Members Show, Aug. 6-24, at the Main Galleries. A reception is planned with light refreshments, 3-5 pm, Aug. 9.

There are a variety of changes taking place. The Classroom Gallery is now the Members Gallery, and the Permanent Members Gallery presents a show from Aug. 6 - Oct. 7. A rotating show, open to all members regardless of experience will run every two months.

Gallery hours 1-4 pm, Wednesday-Friday, and Sunday. Information: 410-643-7424

The weekend of Aug. 9-10 sees Rock Hall, MD overrun by a Pirates and Wenches Fantasy Weekend. The two-day party celebrates Rock Hall's 301st birthday, Costumes are strongly encouraged.

Pirate reenactors and sea chantey singers will appear around town. The event starts with a Cast-Off Party at the Harbor Shack Waterfront Bar & Grill, followed by a decorated dinghy flotilla and race. On Sunday, families can search for booty in a treasure hunt or collect some at the pirate pet and children's costume contest. The same day, the Fearless, a buccaneer-style ship, takes guests on one-hour sails from Sharp Street Pier. Children are invited.


Though it was never a pirate port, in the 1700s, Rock Hall established itself as an important tobacco port and by the 1800s was one of the busiest fishing outposts on the bay. Commercial fishing still is done on a smaller scale, but the main business today is tourism. During the summer, visitors cruise in from land and sea to eat dockside, go fishing or soak up Chesapeake culture in three bay-centric museums.

EVENTS

Saturday

* Kid's Cove on Sharp Street - Games, Crafts, Pirates - 10am-4pm
* Cast off Party at Harbor Shack noon 2pm
Register/Check In for Dinghy Race - 10am - 1pm
* Decorated Dinghy Flotilla - Bulkhead/Bayside Park - 1:30pm (pre-register at Harbor Shack and marinas now all fees have been waived - first 50 entrants will receive a P&W Souvenir Package) Spectators can catch the dinghy flotilla from Harbor Shack or the Bulkhead!
* Race to the Beach and Caribbean-Style Beach Party - Public Beach: 2pm - 5pm; Entertainment by Captain Dave!!!
* Ongoing Live Entertainment and Pirate Encampment in Smuggler's Village (aka Oyster Court): 10am - 5pm
* Sea Shanty Sing-a-long Crawl- 5pm
* Buccaneer's Ball at Waterman's Crab House - 8pm
o Barbeque Grille and Drink Specials
o Live Entertainment
o Graybeard's Treasure Chest valued at over $1,500 will be given away! (Buy raffle tickets at participating locations)
o Best Dressed Costume Contests
o Graybeard Look-A-Look Contest - Are you a gray bearded pirate? If so, come to the ball, join in verse and you just might be the winner!

Sunday

* Pirate Cruises Aboard the Pirate Ship "Fearless"- All Day Sunday at Sharp St. Wharf, $20/child and $25/adult
* Kid's Storytelling and Music - 12:30, 2:30 & 4:30 - Church Lawn on Sharp St., 1:30 aboard Pirate Ship "Fearless"
* Pirates on the Chesapeake by Donald Shomette: Free Lecture and Book Signing at Java Rock on Main St. 11am - 2pm (lectures at 11am and 12:30pm)
* Town-Wide Treasure Hunt - Win 50% of the Booty! - Begins at 12 noon on Main St.
* Bawdy Pub Tales w/Captain Fletcher Moone Main St. - 12, 2pm, 4 pm
* Live Swordplay and Pirate Encampment Demos: Smugglers Village - 1pm, 2:30pm
* Pirate Pet and Children's Costume Contest: Main St. - 2pm
* Treasure Hunt Winners Announced: Sharp St. Pier 3pm
* Walk the Plank: Sharp St. Pier - 3pm
* Live Entertainment Continues in Smuggler's Village until 4pm and on the Waterfront until 6pm

All Weekend

* Pirate Encampment and On-Going Live Music in Smuggler's Village (aka Oyster Court)
* Street Performers
* Kid's Games, Crafts, Storytelling, Tattoos, and more
* Artisans and Crafters in Main Street Marketplace and Smuggler's Village
* Henna Tattoos, Face Painting and Hair Braiding in Smuggler's Village and Beach
* Plenty of Grub and Grog
* Magic, Mayhem and More Surprises.

Though it was never a pirate port, in the 1700s, Rock Hall established itself as an important tobacco port and by the 1800s w ... this is an abbreviated post. Read the entire article.