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June 21th, 2024
Dear Neighbor,
Celebrating Juneteenth with Books and Smiles!
ย ๐๐ Thank you so much for the truly overwhelming support for my annual book drive, again this year benefiting the Annapolis Juneteenth Festival's Children's Village!! I could not have done this without amazing local partners like St. Anne's School of Annapolis, Anne Arundel County Public Library, Tyler Heights Elementary School, and Maryland State Education Association. The energy and enthusiasm for this book drive was amazing, thank you for helping me share the love of reading and put more books in more children's hands!ย
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I'm especially happy to share that the book drive was such a success, that we have extra books to donate! I'm looking forward to sharing with you what other amazing organizations and non-profits the rest of these books go to.
Thank you again to everyone who made this drive a success, it is about bringing people together to help our community and I couldn't be happier to have organized this again! ย
Join me at the Annapolis Juneteenth Parade and Festival!
Annapolis is so lucky for all of the joy and celebration happening in June! Join me and my family at the upcoming Annapolis Juneteenth Parade and Festival! When joining us, be sure to prepare for the hot weather by bringing water and sunscreen, this weekend will be super sunny! โ๏ธย
The parade will kick off this Saturday, June 22nd at 12:00 PM at City Dock and march up to Maryland Hall for the festival at the Bates Athletic Complex located at 935 Spa Road, Annapolis, MD 21401. The music festival will begin at 2:00 PM. For more information on entertainment, vending and volunteer opportunities, and more click here!
Parade Festival & Parkingย
Festival parking at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium is set at $10. Downtown parking locations include the new Hillman, or Gottโs, Park Place and Knighton garages with the free magenta shuttle to Main Street. Shuttles are available from Navy Stadium to the parade and festival areas.
For more detailed parking and transportation information, click here!ย ย
My New Appointment Serving Marylanders!
Kicking things off on the Children, Families, and Human Services Committee to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) last week with a policy meeting ahead of the National Summit in August. I am so grateful to Speaker Adrienne Jones for appointing me alongside my colleagues Delegate Emily Shetty and Delegate J. Sandy Bartlett to represent Maryland on this crucial Committee. The NCSL is a bipartisan organization with a mission to advance the effectiveness, independence and integrity of legislatures and to foster interstate cooperation and facilitate the exchange of information among legislatures. I'm looking forward to working with this talented group to address issues impacting children, women, and families over the coming months!
Page Turning Activism: Teach Truth Day of Action
What an amazing Saturday atย Park Books & LitColabย alongside educators, students, parents, and community members for their Teach Truth Day of Action! I was thrilled to present alongside award-winning author Saundra Mitchell to discuss theย #FreedomtoReadActย and the work we are doing in Maryland to resist book bans. Thank you so much to all of the students, parents, librarians, teachers, advocates, and authors who are fighting for representation for all in literature. Your work ensures children see themselves and their stories in the books on the shelf, and I couldn't be prouder to be working alongside you! Especially these two Board of Education Candidatesย Dana Schallheim, District 5 Board of Educationย andย Friends of Jeremy York!!ย
A Historic Day for Maryland
This week, Governor Wes Moore signed a historic executive order pardoning 175,000 Maryland convictions related to the possession of cannabis, including convictions for misdemeanor possession of cannabis and certain convictions for misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia. The order represents the largest pardon for misdemeanor cannabis possession charges for any state in the country. The inclusion of paraphernalia makes Maryland the first state to take such action.
The Governorโs pardon follows the constitutional amendment passed during Marylandโs 2022 legislative session that legalized adult use and possession of cannabis and was overwhelmingly approved by popular referendum. Of the 175,000 pardons issued, more than 150,000 represent misdemeanor convictions for simple cannabis possession and more than 18,000 represent misdemeanor convictions for use or possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia.
Individuals do not need to take any action to receive the pardon. After the Judiciary updates the electronic dockets to reflect the pardon, a process that should take approximately 2 weeks, individuals can check online or at a public kiosk at any courthouse in the state to verify whether they were included in the pardon.
To review individual records, visit the Maryland Judiciary Case Search website:ย casesearch.courts.state.md.us/casesearch/. To locate the nearest courthouse, visitย mdcourts.gov/courtsdirectory/courtlocations.
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For more information on the Governor Mooreโs Executive order click here!
AACPS Summer Meal Program
Starting June 17th through August 22nd,ย Anne Arundel County Public Schools (AACPS)ย will be providing breakfast and lunch service Monday - Thursday to children at the following locations. Breakfast and lunch is available to children ages 2-18 and there are no income or registration requirements. Make sure to spread the word if you know someone who wants to come enjoy a healthy meal!
For more information please click here:ย https://www.aacps.org/mealpickup
AARPD Summer Program Guide
Looking for a fun summer activity? Dive into Anne Arundel Recreation summer program guide and start planning your adventure today!
Whether you're looking to make a splash at our aquatic centers, stay fit with fitness classes, explore nature on outdoor hikes, or enjoy park programs, thereโs plenty to choose from this summer. Plus, donโt miss out on the adventure that summer camp has to offer!
๐ย Registration Link
Celebrating Pride Month with AACPL!
June is a month brimming with vibrant colors, love and acceptance as we come together to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month. It's a time to honor the struggles, triumphs and contributions of those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual, nonbinary and more.
At Anne Arundel County Public Library, they strongly believe in fostering inclusivity and promoting diversity, making our libraries safe spaces for all. So come on in and join them as they dive headfirst into the spirit of Pride Month! Get ready to explore a treasure trove of amazing LGBTQ+ literature, exciting events and an abundance of free resources available to everyone!
One of the most powerful ways to commemorate LGBTQ+ Pride Month is through literature. Their libraries offer a diverse collection of books that delve into LGBTQ+ themes, share personal stories and provide invaluable insights into the community's history and struggles. From timeless classics to contemporary masterpieces, our collection encompasses a wide range of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, poetry and memoirs. By immersing ourselves in these narratives, we can walk in the shoes of LGBTQ+ individuals, fostering empathy and understanding.
To honor Pride Month, they have thoughtfully curated book lists and captivating displays in their libraries, featuring LGBTQ+ authors and their remarkable works. Whether you're seeking LGBTQ+ romance, coming-of-age tales or thought-provoking essays, our collection caters to all interests.
Choose your next read from their lists of books written by or about the LGBTQ+ community!
Download books by LGBTQ+ authors in eBook and eAudiobook formats to enjoy instantly using Overdrive/Libby.ย
Looking for more books written by LGBTQ+ authors? Use NoveListโs โAdvanced Searchโ feature to generate a list of books by authors with specific identities.
Explore information on LGBTQ+ identity, culture, civil rights, perspectives and more using our Diversity Studies and Opposing Viewpoints databases.
Throughout June, they have a vibrant lineup of LGBTQ+-themed events for all ages hosted at their libraries. From engaging Pride arts & crafts sessions for teens, kids and families to Rainbow Family Storytime, there's something for everyone. Test your knowledge at their Trivia Night, enjoy thought-provoking films at their Queer Representation Film Screenings or socialize and grow your community at their Pride Family Social. These events aim to create spaces where LGBTQ+ individuals and allies can come together, celebrate and learn.
Visit their Pride Month events calendar for a complete list of programs.
At Anne Arundel County Public Libraries, they offer a wide range of free resources to support the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Their collection includes books, online databases and access to community resources that cover LGBTQ+ related topics, such as coming out, mental health, LGBTQ+ history and gender identity. Their compassionate librarians are trained to provide a safe and understanding space for those seeking information or guidance, ensuring that everyone feels welcomed and supported.ย
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As they celebrate Pride Month at their libraries, they invite everyone to join them in embracing diversity, promoting acceptance and championing equality. Their libraries are safe havens where all voices are heard, respected and celebrated. Let's stand together, united and proud, as we recognize the invaluable contributions of the LGBTQ+ community in shaping a brighter future for all.
You can follow me on Facebook, X, and Instagram to learn about volunteer opportunities, community resources, legislative updates and much more. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always contact my office by email at Dana.Jones@house.state.md.us or by phone at 410-841-3211.
Stay safe and healthy,
Delegate Dana Jones
District 30A, Annapolis & Anne Arundel County
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