Editor’s Letter James

editor From the

I may be in the minority (the infinitesimal?), but I’m wishing for an

ARCTIC BLAST THIS FEBRUARY;

a deep freeze that lasts long enough to remind us that the

II type this on the heels of a mild, 65-degree weekend we awkwardly enjoyed this past January. Tennis anyone? What the heck is going on? I’ve got sleds and saucers sitting in the shed, untouched. Winter coats, mittens, and earmuffs hanging in the closet. And…I long for winter. M I D - A T L A N T I C C A N S T I L L BE MIGHTY, DARN COLD.

Sounds crazy, but I remember looking forward to ice skating on the South River each season. And if the river didn’t freeze shore-to-shore, then at the very least, the smaller tributaries did; and thick enough to round up us neighborhood kids for pick-up hockey games. If the ice cracked, we turned our attention to super-sized hills for sledding. It usually snowed enough, week-over-week, to enjoy some great sledding on snow-days or after school, and always on the weekends.

Today, we’re lucky if we get enough snow to justify the plows on the roads. Well, I call it luck. Others call it annoying. We might get one heavy snow per season. And if the

rivers freeze overnight, they’re usually thawed by noon. Call it what you will, but there certainly seems to be change in the seasons the older I get. I’m just hopeful to share those same experiences with my children.

If we’re able to get out and about for these types of winter activities, great. Let’s put a check mark in the win column for us. If the snow doesn’t fall, there’s still good news. This February is chock full of fun events, performances, and enough entertainment to keep whatever winter doldrums one might feel at bay. Our “Out on the Towne” and “Calendar of Events” sections offer the evidence. In this issue of What’s Up? Annapolis, there’s plenty to pump you up.

But, if you’re curled-up on the couch with a blanket reading this issue, we’ve also got you covered. Perhaps, Fido is snuggled on the couch with you…or chewing the couch. If the latter, you’ll want to read “Is Your Dog a Good Citizen?” which explores the intricacies of canine obedience. Speaking of good citizens, we certainly hope our legislators are just that; and doing their jobs well. The Maryland General Assembly is in session and there are new leaders in the House and Senate. Economist Anirban Basu explores this changing of the guard in his article—you guessed it—“New Leaders in Annapolis.” And let yourself daydream of warmer weather as you peruse our annual summer camps guide; now is the time to register the wee ones for day- or overnight-sessions.

Our ambitious “Year of the Woman” project continues. This year-long remembrance of women’s suffrage and the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment deep dives into important issues past and present. The latest offering, “Manifesting Their Destiny, in our article series is an inspiring read—to think of the civil rights climate in our nation 100 years ago…200 years ago. We’ve come so far, yet have so far to go.

Whether or not this February sees the snow I, for one, wish for remains to be seen. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as our staff has enjoyed putting it together.

James Houck, Editorial Director