Updated June 30, 2009—The fifth annual Taste of Cambridge and Crab Cook-Off happen Saturday, July 11, 5-10pm. This is downtown's biggest event of the year! Taste of Cambridge brings out thousands to celebrate the culture of the Maryland Blue Crab and the tradition of our local watermen and crab houses. Come out for the fun and the scrumptious crab dishes! Entry to the festival is free. Tickets for the Crab Cook-Off cost $20, and give you a taste of more than 15 authentic crab dishes from some of Dorchester County's top restaurants. This event usually sells out, so we suggest you buy tickets in advance. Buy them in person in Cambridge at the Dorchester County Visitors Center (2 Rose Hill Place), the Chamber of Commerce (528 Poplar Street), and at A Few of My Favorite Things (414 Race Street). For credit card purchases, call the Chamber at 410.228.3575.

• Find out more about the event, including participating restaurants, who the celebrity judges are, the live music, the kids' activities, the world's largest collection of crab memorabilia, and more!.

• See photos from last year's Taste of Cambridge!

• Download the Taste of Cambridge poster 

June 30—Lots of stuff happening for Fourth of July at Sailwinds, including a tailgating party, carnival, live music, boat parade, and fireworks! Plus a new summer menu and specials in our restaurants, amazing sales in the shops, and compelling art in the galleries. Read all about it in the Weekend Update. 

June 29, 2009—Governor Martin O'Malley walked through downtown Cambridge June 28, checking on revitalization projects, attending a church service at Bethel AME on Pine Street, and announcing Cambridge's Maple Street area as one of 15 new "Smart Sites" in Maryland. The Smart Sites initiative focuses on capital projects that include green building practices and promote growth and revitalization, especially in Main Street communities like Cambridge. The governor also joined in a tree planting at Waugh Chapel on High Street. As he walked through downtown, he chatted with residents and business owners, and even helped place a few pieces on the new mural taking shape in Cannery Way on Race Street.

June 22, 2009—A new cornice — a replica of the original — has been installed on the Race Street building that was heavily damaged by fire in January 2008. Michigan Ornamental Metals in New Jersey created the new cornice for NOVO Development, which owns the building at 444-448 Race Street. The cornice installation was one step in improving the look of the building facade until full reconstruction begins. Professional photographer Dave Harp captured part of the process of installing the cornice. For more photos click on headline above.

June 19, 2009—The draft of the City of Cambridge's comprehensive plan is out. This plan could mean a lot of improvement and growth for downtown. Download it and read it at http://www.ci.cambridge.md.us. For more information, contact city planner Anne Roane at 410.228.1955.

Updated June 15, 2009—Artists from around the Eastern Shore were invited to submit work for this invitational mixed media exhibit in the Main Street Gallery. See the fascinating range of what they submitted. The Main Street Gallery is open Friday and Saturday, 11am–4pm. Be sure to also visit Cambridge's other art galleries.