It is with great sadness that we say goodbye to Vanessa Jenkins. After a brief, and courageous battle that took her too soon, Vanessa passed away on September 4. Vanessa gave 24 years of inspired, dedicated service to the Maryland Office of Tourism, Film and the Arts, and became a dear and trusted friend to many of us who worked with her. But more importantly, Vanessa was a loving mother and a devoted grandmother.

“Vanessa was a warm and constant presence here,” said Lucy Chittenden, assistant director of interactive services, Maryland Office of Tourism Development. “She was thoughtful and diligent in her work as interactive services manager, and kind and true in her friendships, but more importantly, Vanessa was a fierce and loving matriarch to her children and grandchildren.” Vanessa leaves behind two children and five grandchildren who were the world to her. Our thoughts and prayers are with them. Vanessa, you will be missed, you will not be forgotten.

Easton is ready to roll out the red carpet for the annual Chesapeake Film Festival. In just eight years, the festival has become an Easton institution and is one of the fastest growing festivals in the region. The three-day festival, which is made possible in part through the support of the Maryland Film Office and the Maryland State Arts Council, opens Friday, September 18 and runs through Sunday, the 20th, concluding with a gala closing reception catered by chef Jordan Lloyd of the Bartlett Pair Inn. This festival has grown to present a slate of more than thirty films at the historic Avalon Theater and Easton’s Premier Cinemas including international films, shorts, documentaries, dramas, comedies and even the highly acclaimed indie horror film “It Follows.” Other highlights include “The Internet’s Own Boy,” which has been short-listed for the 2015 Academy Award for best documentary feature, Academy Award nominee for best foreign film, “Wild Tales” and the riveting “Best of Enemies.”

The festival will also highlight Maryland films produced with aid from the Maryland Film Office including “June, Adrift,” and a Q&A with filmmaker Amanda McCann. Jack Gerbes, director, Maryland Film Office, will also be on hand for a talk providing insight on the benefits of film production in Maryland, as well as guidance for aspiring auteurs looking to become the next breakout Maryland artist. For a full schedule of receptions and screenings or to purchase individual tickets or weekend passes, visit www.chesapeakefilmfestival.com.

The Maryland Office of Tourism, in partnership with the Maryland Tourism Coalition, is pleased to announce the Maryland Tourism Emerging Professional scholarship program. Five scholarships will be awarded to emerging tourism professionals to attend the Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit, October 28-30 at the Turf Valley Resort, Ellicott City. Emerging Professionals must have been in the tourism/hospitality industry for three years or less. Scholarships are for three-day registration to the Maryland Tourism and Travel Summit and lodging for two nights. Completed applications are due on September 30, 2015. The on-line application can be found at http://goo.gl/forms/awKEID9Oxl.

The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) announced the hiring of Liesel Fenner as its new Public Art Program Director. For more than 20 years, Fenner has worked in the art and design fields nationally both in the public and private sectors. She was the Public Art Program Manager at Americans for the Arts in Washington DC, where she developed partnerships, programs, and services to advance public art, civic design, and cultural planning.

"We welcome Ms. Fenner and her broad experience in developing and providing information resources and education tools to advocate and advance public art and design," said Bill Pencek, acting managing director, Maryland Division of Tourism, Film and the Arts. "Drawing on her knowledge and background, MSAC will be able to advance its strategy to employ the arts as drivers of Maryland's creative economy and place-making movement, as well as support Governor Hogan's goal to increase Maryland's appeal and livability."

Heather Ersts, partnership and outreach manager, Maryland Office of Tourism, Film and the Arts joined Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh, representatives of the Bicycle Advocates for Annapolis & Anne Arundel County and local business and tourism stakeholders for the launch of the Anne Arundel County Bicycle Advisory Commission (AACBAC). The commission will make recommendations to build out a safe, interconnected network of trails, on-road and separated bike lanes to make the county more safe and accessible to bicycle commuters and tourists alike.

“Having the opportunity to bike either for recreation or to work is a growing trend in our county, our state, and our nation,” said Schuh. “To help guide us towards a fully integrated network of bike trails, we need to bring together citizens and experts to put forth recommendations to make our county more bike-friendly. The Anne Arundel County Bicycle Advisory Commission will help us achieve that objective.”

The all-new official Destination Maryland Guide presents our tourism partners with a unique, powerful platform. There is no comparable opportunity available that is 100 percent focused on visitation to Maryland—and there is no better time to speak to its large audience than when they are actively planning their visit to the state. Destination Maryland is sent by request directly to highly qualified travelers who are actively planning a Maryland vacation—most often a long one. In addition to 250,000 printed copies distributed, the Visitors Guide will also be available in both an interactive E-book and I-pad versions which click through to advertiser landing pages.

Contact Carly Stedman for rates and details: carly.stedman@milespartnership.com / 202-681-8169. Deadline to reserve space is October 7, 2015.

Each week, the Maryland Minute provides highlights and insights on this weekend’s events around the state. Maryland Minute is featured on CBS radio stations in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. and on Baltimore’s WBAL-AM 1090.