Photo by Frederick Cellars
	Frederick Cellars 221 N. East Street Frederick, MD 21701 Phone: 301-668-0311 Email: info@frederickcellars.com

The public is invited to watch Charlie Daneri and his crew bottle about 350 cases of their new wine, City Lights. That's more than 4,000 bottles.

Workers spent 14 hours Thursday bottling more than 500 cases of long-time favorite Reisling and a new wine Charlie calls Trail's End. It wasn't all smooth bottling.

The machine hadn't run in more than a year since Charlie bought Catoctin Vineyards and its equipment.

Much of yesterday's test run included adapting the machine to its new location. That included a few plumbing and electrical problems, but now it's ready to roll.

"We're all about making wine more enjoyable and fun," Charlie said. "It's definitely fun to watch this machine run."

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	Local artist Shane Gamble blends the influences of Wilco, Tom Petty, and the late Chris Whitley. Gamble will play 6 p.m. Aug. 3 at the Square Corner Park in Brunswick.

During the celebration 5 to 9 p.m., Aug. 3, guests are invited to enjoy the Taste of the Town event where participants can sample complimentary food from area restaurants.

At the same time, the second WineDown event will feature tastings from local wineries. Shane Gamble, who blends the influences from Wilco and Tom Petty, will play at 6 p.m. in the Square Corner Park.

Children will be able to cook up a slimy activity called Oobleck. Not quite a liquid, not quite a solid, the gooey mass will "defy the preconceived notions of normal matter."

Sounds like my bladder after happy hour.

Brunswick business leaders have been looking for ways to improve the financial climate in Brunswick for years.

But it's not just an exercise in marketing. Kershner said the events draw the community closer and provides entertainment.

That's win to the third power! And it's totally Oobleck.

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Tourism

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	Photo by Sam Yu
	Read my October coverage of the Carroll Creek grand opening. Also a sidebar. As a San Antonio native, I could appreciate what the park attempts to bring to Frederick. Economic development, tourism, amenities and housing. What's missing? A convention center. Shade. A nice greenscape. Creekside dining. River barges. What should be missing? Green slime. --Joseph

The money will help build pedestrian and bicycle paths and visitor amenities throughout the park, according to the release.

The city's department of economic development applied for the money in February. Former Mayor Ron Young headed up the effort, which Mayor Jeff Holtzinger believes helped win the award.

From the press release:

“Young’s assistance was instrumental in preparing the application and submitting backup information and letters of support to the state,” Mayor Jeff Holtzinger said. “Ron’s vision and participation through the years are deeply appreciated by the city.”

Kudos. But maybe some of that money should go to getting that green stinky gunk out of the creek.

FNP city reporter Justin Palk said his sources told him they've had some success with barley treatments.

Park details:

Government

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Three new businesses opened this month, including one this week. They include women's apparel shop Phoebe's Travel Trunk; Pixie Dust, a children's boutique and consignment shop; and gift shop Treasures to Warm the Heart.

The trio of shops are within walking distance of each other near the center of town.

Kershner hopes the Weekend Winedown 5 to 9 p.m. July 6 at the Square Corner will make downtown even hotter. A $3 cover will let guests enjoy beer from Barley and Hops Grill, wine from around Frederick County and food from Beans in the Belfry.

"As far as direct economic impact for businesses that night, some say First Friday's are their best night of the week and others just get a few customers," she said. "It's more about getting people out to Brunswick and encouraging them to come downtown."

For details, visit Brunswick Main Street.

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New Business

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	Some top awards: Weinberg Center for the Arts, seats for renovation: $25,000 Celebrate Frederick, Summer Concert Series, holidays, etc.: $20,000 National Museum of Civil War Medicine, Civil War Museum promotion: $10,000 Weinberg Center for the Arts Ads promoting Weinberg Center events: $11,500 Downtown Frederick Partnership, First Saturday Gallery Walks: $25,000

Not only is the revenue from the 3 percent added to room-rental bills helping pay for a brand new tourism center, part of the redevelopment of East Street in downtown Frederick, but it’s goes into a fund to promote local tourism-related non-profits and events.

In the coming fiscal year, 2008, $200,000 has been earmarked through the Tourism Reinvestment in Promotion and Product program (or TRIPP), a third more than this, fiscal 2007, which ends June 30.

Nineteen organizations were picked from 26 applicants by a five-member selection committee. The committee recommended how to allocate the money.

“With very competitive applications submitted, the committee had many hours of work evaluating them to determine which programs will bring the most return on our investment,” said TRIPP program chair, Randy McClement, owner of Market Street Bagel and Deli.

TRIPP grants will be awarded in two categories: $80,000 for tourism product development projects; $120,000 in advertising expenditures.

I’ll let you know how it all shakes down on tomorrow’s business page. Check the breakout to the right for some of the top awards.

If you can't wait 'til tomorrow to see who got the dollars, check out TRIPP on the Tourism Council website.

UPDATE 1:46 p.m.: I had a free moment, so I went and had a look at the county budget page to see hotel-motel tax income for the past few years: In 2005, $687,000; in 2006, $850,000; and, as mentioned above, in 2007, $1.1 million.

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Awards

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