Heart Health Foundation Paints the Town Red

The foundation sponsors free screenings and a special event on Valentine's Day at Rams Head on Stage in Annapolis.

A local organization has painted the town red. Not literally, but Annapolis-based Heart Health Foundation is making its message loud and clear. That message—awareness of heart and vascular disease—can't be missed, whether it's the banners in downtown Annapolis, at Annapolis Towne Centre or events at area schools and businesses. Like other months that are designated to bring awareness of particular diseases, February has become synonymous with heart disease. Cathy Samaras, a spokesperson for the Heart Health Foundation, explained how and why she got involved with the organization. Her husband, George Samaras, is the chief of the Department of Medicine at Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC). "Four years ago Oprah happened to be on the TV and …

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Messages of Love

Nineteenth-century love letters and modern sweet tweets prove that communication for couples is timeless.

By Allison Goldstein, Capital News Service When U.S. Navy Surgeon David Shelton Edwards was serving at the Washington Navy Yard in the late 1830s, he kept the spark in his marriage alive by writing eight love letters home to his wife, Harriet Eliza Henry. "Your letters are a sweet cordial to this loving heart of yours, for there can be no substitute for them until I have your own dear self here," Edwards wrote in a July 1835 note to Henry. Over a 13-year span from 1835 to 1848 working in Washington, Pensacola Navy Yard, FL, and aboard several Mexican-American War naval vessels, Edwards wrote his “dearest Eliza” more than 40 notes now part of the National Postal Museum’s collection of thousands of letters in Washington. Today, Skype and …

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Goodbye Christmas, Hello Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day items make an early appearance at Target.

The sleigh bells have barely stopped ringing and some retailers have already begun to bid farewell to Christmas. While browsing through Target at the Annapolis Towne Centre at Parole on Wednesday morning, I noticed one end cap of an aisle decorated with pinks and reds. It was a stark contrast to all the clearance signs on the remaining Christmas decorations. But it couldn't be Valentine's Day stuff yet, could it? It could. And it was. It was only a few shelves of photo frames, but the theme of hearts sent a clear message—thanks for the memories Santa, but Cupid is on the way. I wasn't too surprised, unfortunately. What about you? Surprised? Is it too early? Or are you already looking for some new St. Patrick's Day decorations?

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Lindsay Wilkes-Edrington

11:10 pm on Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas decorations before Halloween I can handle, but Valentine's Day? Let me get through the New Year first.   more ›

Going to the Chapel

Small wedding chapel along Generals Highway provides unique ceremonies for area couples.

In this era of platinum weddings, bridezillas and "Say Yes" to the $10,000 dress, many couples are going back to the real reason for a wedding: love. But while getting married at the courthouse can save money, it isn't very "warm and fuzzy," said Loveta Wilen. "You have to go through a metal detector, and there are prisoners in shackles," Wilen said. "They have girls in full wedding gowns waiting for their name to be called." Wilen offers an alternative: the Annapolis Wedding Chapel. For less than the cost of a blush pink bridesmaid dress, a couple can tie the knot in a private ceremony in the cozy indoor chapel or under the pergola in the garden along Generals Highway. Wilen also offers packages for slightly larger parties. Erika Jones …

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Patch Picks

Patch Picks: Most Romantic Restaurants for Valentine's Day

This week's picks look at the top spots to spend Valentine's Day with the one you love.

Our weekly feature—Patch Picks—is back. This week our picks are for the most romantic restaurants in and around Annapolis to dine at for Valentine's Day. Where: The Severn Inn, 1993 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. Why: Valentine’s Day prix-fixe menu with a wine pairing option Be Sure To: Get there early to grab a drink at the bar and take in the beautiful view   Where: Café Normandie, 185 Main Street Why: Four-course prix-fixe menu with a glass of champagne Be Sure: To: Stay for the live music by the vocalist duo, Danita & TA.   Where: Reynold’s Tavern, 7 Church Circle Why: Six-course meal served by candlelight Be Sure To: Buy fresh flowers from the vendor out front either before or after dinner   Where: Carrol’s Creek Cafe, 410 Severn Ave. Why…

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Valentine’s Day Gifts for Him Available in Annapolis

Consider these ways to express your love for about $30 or less.

As Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, you may want a creative, affordable answer to the question, “What gift should I get for the love of my life?” If you don’t have a response to that question yet, don’t panic. We’ve got tips for where to shop in preparation for this special holiday that comes once a year. You want to show a little extra love and attention to the people who matter most, and the good news is that it’s easy and fun to express what’s in your heart with a reasonably priced gift found locally. Easy Street Gallery offers the perfect gift for canine lovers: works of art featuring images of dogs, also known as “works of arf.” Whether your man’s best friend is a lab, golden retriever, boxer, Airedale terrier, or a basset hound, …

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