Now that the 2006 convention is behind us, it is time to start thinking about the next big MML event! The 2006 fall conference is fast approaching and you won't want to miss it. The conference is scheduled for October 19-21, 2006 at the Doubletree Hotel (formerly the Radisson Hotel) in Annapolis. This year's conference will feature nine workshops, three of which are Academy core classes and four are Academy elective classes. This is also your opportunity to learn about MML's 2007 legislative agenda.

Attendees at this year's conference will also have the opportunity to tour MML's newly renovated facilities and attend the dedication of MML's new headquarters building. The City of Annapolis, this year's conference host city, is planning several events, including a welcome reception in their newly opened historical museum located in the heart of downtown Annapolis on Thursday evening and unique entertainment for the dinner on Friday evening.

Because this is an election year, MML will be inviting candidates from some of the biggest races in the state, including Governor and Lt. Governor, U.S. Senate, Comptroller and Attorney General, to address conference attendees. Registration information is available in the July/August, 2006 issue of Municipal Maryland and will be available online at http://www.mdmunicipal.org. Don't miss your chance to visit your Capital City in the fall!

The year 2007 will mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown and Captain John Smith's voyages of exploration in the Chesapeake Bay, which included travels in and around areas that today are the sites of Maryland municipalities. To commemorate Smith's voyages, interested members of the Chesapeake Bay community support the establishment of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (NHT) (see http://www.conservationfund.org/johnsmithtrail.html)

The National Park Service (NPS) recently published the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail Feasibility Study and Environmental Assessment. The study is available online at http://www.nps.gov/nero/josm/documents.htm. The NPS found that the trail fully meets the required criteria and recommended federal designation as a national historic trail.

This study complements bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) in the U.S. Senate (S.2568), and Representative Jo Ann Davis (R-VA) in the U.S. House (H.R. 5466), to establish the Captain John Smith Chesapeake NHT. The entire Maryland Congressional delegation has cosponsored this legislation.

There are two ways that interested municipalities or individuals can help establish the nation's first all water NHT:

1. Send letters to the NPS expressing your support for "Alternative B", the preferred alternative to establish the National Historic Trail. (The deadline for public comment is August 16, 2006.) Address letters to: Mr. William Sharp, Northeast Regional Office, National Park Service, 200 Chestnut Street, 3rd Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19106
2. Send letters to Rep. Jo Ann Davis in support of H.R. 5466, the House bill to establish the trail by August 31, 2006 (preferably via fax) and carbon copy your member of Congress. Address letters to: The Honorable Jo Ann Davis, US House of Representatives, 1123 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, DC 20515, FAX 202/225-4382

Draft letters can be obtained from Joel Dunn of the Conservation Fund via e-mail at jdunn@conservationfund.org or by calling 703/525-6300.

Skipjack Martha Lewis and Chesapeake Heritage Conservancy, in partnership with Grant Writing USA, will present a two-day grant writing workshop in Edgewood, August 17-18, 2006. More than 5,000 government and nonprofit agencies across America now turn to Grant Writing USA for grants training. All nonprofit and government professionals are welcome to attend.

Grant Writing USA delivers nationwide training programs and workshops that enhance performance in the areas of grant writing, national foundation and government grant maker research and relations, program planning, and personal and organizational excellence. Each element plays an important role in grant writing success and all are covered in this, Grant Writing USA's, two-day workshop.

This workshop is suitable for beginning and experienced grant writers who desire to increase their fundraising competitiveness and broaden their funder focus.

Tuition payment is not required at the time of enrollment. Please read the "Payment Policy" section of the online registration.

Tuition is $395 and includes all materials: workbook and accompanying 250MB resource CD that's packed full of tools and more than 200 sample grant proposals. Seating is limited, online reservations are necessary, walk-ins are not allowed.

For more information including venue location and maps, graduate testimonials and instant, online enrollment, please visit http://GrantWritingUSA.com. Contact Cathy Rittenhouse, Grant Writing USA, 800/814-8191, cathy@grantwritingusa.com or Cindy Beane, Skipjack Martha Lewis, 302/545-2990, director@skipjackmarthalewis.org

Harvard University invites you to apply for an Innovations in American Government Award.

Administered by the Ash Institute for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of Government in partnership with the Council for Excellence in Government, the Innovations Award is heralded as the premier public sector award in the nation. It is given annually to programs that serve as examples of creative and effective government at its best.

All units of government--federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial--are eligible to apply.

Each of the seven winners of the 2007 Innovations Award, including the winner of the Fannie Mae Foundation Innovations Award in Affordable Housing and the Annie E. Casey Award in Children and Family System Reform, will receive a $100,000 grant to support replication and dissemination activities.

Applications and additional information are available at http://www.innovationsaward.harvard.edu.

Applications are due by September 12, 2006.