Get Centered Wellness, a sister company to the Center for Trauma, Stress and Anxiety, takes a physical healing approach to addressing mental health for its clients.

“Our approach to healing comes from this mental health background of knowing what stress and trauma and anxiety do to our bodies,” said owner Michelle Perry, who opened CTSA in 2016. “A lot of people in mental health are feeling like it’s one thing to talk about it, and it’s another thing to learn how to heal your body, using your body.”

The body-based healing practice began as yoga classes alongside therapy at CTSA, but met with the high demand from her clients, Perry opened Get Centered Wellness as its own company last October. Since then, it has expanded to offer a variety of yoga classes, reiki, tarot card reading, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy, ketamine-assisted therapy and more, while serving its therapy clients and the greater community.

Perry began her own mental health journey in college. Under the stress of studying veterinary medicine and on her school’s competitive swim team, she sought out therapy from the advice of her coach. That prompted her to change her major to psychology and in 2009, started working hands-on in the community with the Army’s Public Health Center at Aberdeen Proving Ground.

She opened CTSA with the goal of seeing clients “on the side” during her day-to-day work, but it has since grown for Perry, who now has several licensed therapists on staff and two locations in Harford and Baltimore counties. It wasn’t long into this that she began experimenting with yoga for her clients alongside talk therapy.

“The clients who were involved in that were having way better outcomes, healing so much more quickly and learning how to manage stress much better. And so from there, we’re like, let’s take the leap and make this a bigger thing and open it up to the broader community,” she said.

Yoga is Get Centered Wellness’s most popular service. From energy medicine yoga to restorative vinyasa, many clients have memberships that allow them to attend weeknight and Saturday morning classes. Classes are capped at 10 people to give each person the attention they need.

As a CTSA partner, clients of the clinic may have the yoga classes covered by their insurance, including services by a therapist who is on-site at each weekday class.

“I love that Get Centered Wellness takes that mind, body, spirit approach,” said Tyler Mauler, who has been teaching at Get Centered Wellness since it opened. “The fact there’s always a therapist there to provide some level of emotional support allows us to go a lot deeper in the classes and do some really amazing work. …I think it really expedites the therapeutic process.”

The studio also provides yoga materials for each session, including mats, blocks and blankets, because the goal is for everyone to feel relaxed and not have to worry about any preparation, according to Perry.

Holyn Ivy-Bogert has been coming to Get Centered Wellness since January. As a CTSA client, she enjoys the yoga and reiki sessions as a way to decompress from her work as a chaplain at a local hospice.

“The biggest takeaway for me is when I’m feeling stressed or scattered or anxious is to just take a pause, take a breath, and just really connect into that grounded place I have during class,” Ivy-Bogert said. “I can just have that moment to refresh myself before I go back to my daily work and life.”

With positive feedback from her clients and the growing demand for classes at Get Centered Wellness, Perry is looking forward to expanding her services, including wellness retreats outside the area. She hopes to bring more of these classes to CTSA’s second location in Nottingham.

Get Centered Wellness

20 E. Lee St., Bel Air, 443-567-7038. getcenteredwellness.com

The North Carolina couple has been to most of the dinners since 2018 and arrived five hours early on Friday to be the first ones at the entrance of the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

“We had a friend that would come to this every year and he died … so we’re here in memory of him,” Martha Barnhill said. “He would always arrive at noon … so we said ‘let’s go ahead and go at noon.’”

Inside, 185 bushels of steaming crabs supplied by Chesapeake Seafood Caterers of St. Michaels soon filled the tables of the biggest crab feast in the state. Event veterans wore Rotary Club T-shirts and crab claw hats to celebrate the feast, which is in its 79th year.

Beyond the all-you-can-eat crabs, guests had unlimited Bayside Bull barbecue and beer, as well as watermelon and baked sweets for purchase.

“It’s all about the crabs for us,” said Jason Hitchcock, who has been coming to the crab feast with his brother Tim for almost 40 years. “They only had one off year, two years ago when they ran out [of crabs].”

That was when the event returned for the first year since the pandemic in 2022 and the Rotary Club switched caterers amid local seafood suppliers closing and the price of crabs on the rise.

Since then, the event has been back on track.

“It’s for charity, but it’s still a good deal,” added Tim Hitchcock, as he snapped open a crab leg.

Raising money for local organizations is the mission of the annual crab feast, says Zach Laurer, this year’s event chair. After adding up the total sale of tickets, baked goods, raffles, T-shirts, sponsorships and more, the Rotary Club is expected to raise close to $50,000. From there, charities can apply to receive a grant from the money raised.

“It’s our way of showing the community how much we are tied to them, how much we support them, and how much we want Rotary to be a partner in the community,” Rotary Club President Bob Young said.

About 150 volunteers set up and served the crabs in the stadium concourse and under two outside tents. With the heat index nearing 100 degrees Friday afternoon, large fans and ice buckets filled with bottled water kept everyone cool.

“I just have a fun time watching everybody interact,” Young said. “It’s probably one of the biggest social events in town in the summer and a huge chance for Marylanders and Annapolitans to get to see each other.”

The 90-acre public park in Pasadena completed a major shoreline renovation in 2022, which included planting marshes, bringing in fresh sand and placing stone revetment to prevent erosion, among other improvements to its nearly 1-mile shoreline.

“We’re all very honored to be recognized by a national award,” said Anna Johnson, coastal engineer at BayLand Consultants & Designers, the lead designer on the project. “Receiving this award is testament to how committed the county is to protecting and restoring its shorelines, and how the county leadership is prioritizing projects that focus on coastal resiliency, public use and recreation, water quality, and habitat uplift.”

ASBPA says the project reached its goals of increasing resiliency, recreation, and environmental uplift, making it “one of the best restored shores in the U.S.”

The Anne Arundel County Department of Recreation and Parks is currently undertaking other projects at the park, including constructing a new maintenance building, concession stand, and restrooms, according to their website.

This is the second time a Maryland project has received this award, which is now in its sixth year. Last year, the Severn River’s Kyle Point Living Shoreline Project, organized by local property owners, was recognized for enhancing habitats and water access for animals by implementing nature-based techniques including tidal marsh, beach strand and submerged aquatic vegetation

The Fort Smallwood project was one of three shoreline projects to receive this year’s award. Johnson will present the project at the ASBPA National Coastal Conference in August.

“Every place he went he brought a bag of chicken with him and everyone loved his chicken,” said Pat Queck, his sister. “He was very generous, extremely kind to people … and being in the public domain, being a store owner, he really had an opportunity to be involved with so many people in town.”

Robert Jarrell was born at Anne Arundel General Hospital to Robert Jarrell, a State Roads Commission employee, and Ray Fenton Jarrell, who worked at Read’s Drug Store on Main Street in Annapolis. He was one of four children.

A salesman from the start, he sold the most candy bars of anyone in his class at St. Mary’s Grammar School.

After school, Mr. Jarrell and his friends would often climb over the wall of St. Mary’s Parish and play tag among the boxwood trees, a place they nicknamed “Cannonball Cave” because the bushes that grew up around the area made it look like a cave.

“I wasn’t very athletic, so I couldn’t climb over the wall, but Bobby would always help me,” said Page Thompson Anderson, a lifelong friend. “There’d be four or five of us, and I’d be the only girl sometimes and Bobby would always watch out for me. … He treated me like his little sister.”

After attending Annapolis High School, Mr. Jarrell racked pool balls and shined shoes at the old Pete’s Place pool hall on Main Street, a spot that became a regular hangout for Mr. Jarrell and his friends well into their adult years.

But sales was Mr. Jarrell’s calling, and he worked at Bill Tydings Import Service as a mechanic and later became manager at the Old Town Inn on West Street. There, he met the owner, Raymond Machoian, and joined Machoian Poultry at City Dock’s Market House in 1973.

“That’s where he got all his knowledge and training about chicken, and developed his own spice,” Ms. Anderson said.

After 15 years at Machoian, Mr. Jarrell opened Cheep Cheep Chicken in the Festival at Riva shopping center. The restaurant led to his moniker around town, “The Chicken Man.”

“He loved cooking chicken and providing food for the community, but ultimately what he liked the most was the people,” said his daughter, Julia Jennings-Jarrell, who was just an infant when the business opened.

“We would be walking around and people didn’t necessarily know his name but they knew his face, so they’d say, ‘It’s “The Chicken Man.”’”

For more than two decades, Mr. Jarrell fed everyone from mayors to the owners of the Ravens, according to his family. He made friends with other businesses in the shopping center, often playing cards with the owners of the Chinese restaurant next door.

“He was so particular about the quality and the size of his chicken and how the potatoes were cut. That was so important to him that sometimes he would pay more for the chicken,” Ms. Queck said.

Mr. Jarrell told The Capital in 2000 that his philosophy is not to “be penny-wise and dollar-dumb. I like to spend a little extra money to give my customers a good quality product.”

In 2010, Cheep Cheep Chicken closed because the Festival at Riva didn’t renew his lease, according to The Capital. He spent a few years trying to reopen his business in the nearby Market House and sell his signature chicken spice, but things did not work out.

He continued to bring chicken to family gatherings, and met his friends every Wednesday to play pool and darts at Ms. Anderson’s house.

Mr. Jarrell is survived by his daughter, Julia Jennings-Jarrell, of Bowie, and sisters Pat Queck, of Millsboro, Delaware, and Dee Zemke, of Meriden, Connecticut. He was predeceased by his former partner, Jeanne Jennings.

The family will hold a private celebration of life in August.

This is the second peace order filed against Knapp by Orphans’ Court Chief Justice Vickie Gipson. Gipson previously accused her colleague of harassing her and other staff members at their Annapolis office.

The first peace order was filed in May, but dropped last week when a district court judge ruled its final court hearing missed a legal deadline.

Gipson told the Capital Gazette the trial’s postponement is a “disservice to the county and victims of this type of behavior.”

When asked about the postponement, Knapp’s lawyer, Peter O’Neill, did not address specifics of the case.

In addition to the civil order against him, Knapp is facing a criminal stalking charge filed by Gipson at the time of the first peace order. Stalking is a misdemeanor in Maryland law involving “malicious course of conduct” which the offender intended to or should have known would put someone in fear of harm.

Knapp is also facing charges of violating the first peace order and tampering with evidence after police said he recorded conversations with Gipson and the third Orphans’ Court judge, David Duba. After telling officers he had weeks’ worth of audio, police said Knapp deleted them because “they weren’t necessary.”

Those trials are expected to start Aug. 17 and Sept. 20, respectively.

The rescheduled peace order hearing will determine whether the restrictions between Knapp and Gipson will be extended beyond the six-month administrative leave Knapp is currently on.

Now, Bay Paddle, the nonprofit he founded four years ago to benefit the Oyster Recovery Partnership, is set for its fifth run Saturday. More than 200 participants are expected and close to $50,000 has been raised so far.

“There’s a lot of great events up and down the bay like Blue Angels, boat shows … but there aren’t that many that [show] what a privilege the bay is,” said Hopkinson, an Annapolis native. “It’s our responsibility to take care of it and if we can do that by having a huge celebration and a paddle race, bringing our community together, then maybe that’s the best way to do it.”

Since Hopkinson’s solo paddle, he’s been joined by other bay enthusiasts to race a portion of the bay to raise money for its health and protection.

“It was one of those really unique pandemic stories that certainly raised a lot of awareness and funds for ORP,” said Allison Albert Guercio, marketing and fundraising director for Oyster Recovery Partnership.

This year there will be three different races at lengths of 3 miles, 10 miles, and 35 miles.

The 35-miler will circumnavigate Kent Island, featuring solo racers and teams on stand-up paddle boards, kayaks and canoes, including several six-person outrigger canoes doing a change race. This type of race involves six people rowing a Polynesian-style canoe, where in timed intervals, three people will jump out of one side of the canoe and three others will get in from the other side while the boat is still moving.

So far, 12 teams have registered for the change race with some paddlers coming from as far as Arizona.

Jessica Kennedy is a member of Kent Island Outrigger Canoe Club, one of the race’s sponsors, and is the coach for her team in the change race.

“We’re a mixed bag of experiences … and I’m really excited to watch them in the boat and watch them excel and have a great time,” Kennedy said. “They’ve been working so hard to make sure they’re ready for this season and for this race, so I know it’s going to pay off on Saturday.”

Before Hopkinson’s inaugural paddle, various groups, including the KIOCC, hosted their own versions of the Bay Paddle, but since Hopkinson took it over, he’s been able to donate close to $500,000 to Oyster Recovery Partnership, Chesapeake Conservancy and Waterkeepers Chesapeake.

“We always say people can’t value the bay if they’re not getting out on the bay. So, the benefit of an event like this is it’s bringing lots of people onto the water, getting to enjoy it, getting to value it, and hopefully wanting to preserve it,” said Elizabeth Nellums, grants and program manager for Waterkeepers Chesapeake.

Saturday’s race will launch from the Kent Island Yacht Club at 8 a.m. and can be seen from Terrapin Nature Park and waterfront restaurants on the island. The event will conclude with a luau celebration at the yacht club.

“When folks come here, I want them to feel everything we feel in terms of the beauty of the bay … and for this race to give back to the bay,” said Hopkinson. “Long term, I would love to turn this into a huge festival on the island … where there’s paddlers and people with music celebrating the bay.”

Ajee Xavier Myers will serve three years of probation, one of which is supervised, and will resign her position at the Maryland Correctional Institute for Women, Judge Donna Schaeffer ruled in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court on Tuesday.

“If you comply with the terms of your probation, you won’t see me again; if you violate the terms of your probation, you’ll end up back before me. …So just do what you’re supposed to do, and you won’t have to come back,” Schaeffer said.

According to court documents, Myers, a 29-year-old from Hanover, had been employed as a dietary officer for the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services since 2020. In that role, she prepared food, oversaw the kitchen and supervised up to 17 inmates.

Since at least September, Myers was romantically involved with one of those inmates, who was serving time for an assault conviction. Over numerous months, Myers broke multiple prison policies and engaged in inappropriate behavior with the inmate, prosecutors said.

According to court records, Myers brought the inmate into the kitchen area to spend time with her on at least one occasion. The pair engaged in more than 700 recorded phone calls, many of which contained discussions of their intimate relationship. Myers also spent $100 on the inmate’s phone account to pay for the conversations they had.

In November, Myers became suspicious of another prisoner she believed was having a relationship with the inmate with whom she was involved. Myers then threatened the prisoner she perceived as a “romantic rival,” commenting to another inmate that she had “the upper hand” and that the rival needs to “stay away.”

Myers was charged with one count of misconduct in office and arrested in January. She was released on her own recognizance a short time later.

In 2019, 20 people, including inmates and officers at the Maryland Correctional Institution in Jessup, were charged with smuggling drugs and other contraband into the facility. One of them, Patricia McDaniel, a dietary officer like Myers, pleaded guilty to a federal racketeering charge and was placed on three years of supervised probation after serving jail time.

The plea deal was brought forward Tuesday by Zachary Norfolk and Pilar Rodarte of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General, who did not immediately respond for comment.

Myers and her attorney, Benjamin Herbst, declined to comment.

Aspen Dental and GNC, two nationwide chains, opened their doors in June and as of July 3, are the only two tenants up and running. Other retailers expected to open in the coming weeks include: Jersey Mike’s Subs, Moby Dick House of Kabob and Meg Fox Aesthetics.

Jersey Mike’s will be hosting a grand opening July 17, kicking off their first five days in business with a fundraiser to benefit Special Olympics of Maryland.

“We’re always trying to give back at Jersey Mike’s, our motto is give to give,” said Paul Weitz, co-owner of the local franchise that has six locations in Maryland. “It’s a natural area to be in, and we’re pumped to be the first franchisee in Annapolis for Jersey Mike’s.”

Other tenants set to join them include Cold Stone Creamery, Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, Eggspectation breakfast restaurant, Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, Inspire Nail Bar, Dog Haus Biergarten, Ohm Fitness, Arhaus furniture and Visual Comfort lighting retailer.

Beacon Square’s plans call for 93,000 square feet of retail space, 428 parking spaces and 508 apartment units. Located at 2500 Riva Road in Parole, near the intersection of West Street across from the Annapolis Town Center, the development replaces a former office building owned by Corporate Office Properties Trust.

“Beacon Square is strategically located to maximize community impact, offering easy access to amenities and resources that enhance quality of life and foster economic growth in Annapolis,” Amy Gowan, president of Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corporation, said in a statement.

It was acquired by the developers SJC Ventures and AvalonBay Communities Inc. in 2021 for $3 million and broke ground in 2022. As a mixed-use development, meaning it blends commercial, residential and office uses, it complements similar sites nearby, including the Annapolis Town Center and Park Place Annapolis, among others.

“We really like being involved in the community and bringing [them] together and a way to accomplish that is through mixed-use projects, where you have a grocer you can shop at, retailers you can do services at, and you can live in these apartments,” said Jess Moore, chief operating officer for SJC Ventures.

In addition to the upcoming retailers, Avalon Annapolis is pre-leasing apartments, with the first residents expected to move in Aug. 10, according to the company.

Take a harbor cruise

Various charters are available in and around Annapolis to see the fireworks, including Watermark Cruises, Darling Charters and Naptown Tiki Club Cruises. Schooner Woodwind is sold out for its fireworks cruise, but daytime sailing is available July 4.

See parades from around the county

Patriotic parades are happening all over the county throughout the day. At 10 a.m., the Greater Severna Park and Arnold Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual Stars and Stripes Forever parade.

The route will begin on Benfield Road at Our Shepard Lutheran Church and continue down Evergreen Road, finishing at Woods Memorial Church off Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard. There, judges will award prizes to the top three floats and a decorated bike contest will take place.

The annual Eastport July 4th Kids Parade begins at 10:30 a.m., marching from Eastport Elementary School to Turner Park. A party will follow at the park with awards for best dressed scooter, wagon, or bike, along with games, ponies and frozen treats.

Shady Side Community Center hosts its annual parade at 10 a.m., with participants invited to bring a float, motorized vehicle or bicycle. It will start at the Corner Grill on Shady Side Road and end at the community center on Snug Harbor Road.

Celebrate Annapolis history

Celebrate the founding of our nation at the William Paca House in downtown Annapolis, named for one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. The day will begin with a naturalization ceremony at 9 a.m., where people from around the globe mark their new U.S. citizenship.

Living history ceremonies will take place throughout the day beginning at 10:30 a.m., including reenactments of Frederick Douglass’ life. Explore the William Paca House and other parts of downtown, including the Waterfront Warehouse and Museum of Historic Annapolis. The events conclude at 2:30 p.m.

Eat out

Several Annapolis restaurants will have deals or live music events to go along with the city’s Independence Day celebration:

Carrol’s Creek Cafe at 410 Severn Ave. has a direct view of the fireworks from Eastport. The cost of table tickets includes a three-course meal from a selected menu and gratuity.

Pusser’s Caribbean Grille at 80 Compromise St. offers dockside dining and a view of the fireworks, which includes a three-course meal for $99. Seating begins at 8 p.m. and advance booking is required.

Severn Inn at 1993 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. also has dockside seating and a full buffet including a raw bar. Reservations should be made in advance with seating available at 5:30 p.m.

Stan and Joe’s Saloon at 37 West St. will have live music by Sidewalk Soul starting at 9 p.m.

Pearl Restaurant and Ponche Tiki Bar at 26 Market Space is hosting 4th of July karaoke at 6 p.m.

Anne Arundel County

Annapolis, July 4, 6:30 p.m.

The City of Annapolis’ parade kicks off at Amos Garrett and West Street at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks will begin from a barge in Annapolis Harbor around 9:15 p.m., viewable from public spaces including the northeast area of Severn River and City Dock along Naval Academy Bridge. The Spa Creek Bridge will be closed to traffic from Eastport into Annapolis from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m.

Baltimore City

Inner Harbor, July 4, 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Head to the Inner Harbor for a day filled with activities and events before the fireworks and drone show kicks off at 9:30 p.m. Start the day with the American Visionary Art Museum’s annual July 4th Pet Parade and Pet Talent Show with registration beginning at 8:30 a.m. There’s also the Red, White and Blue Picnic at West Shore Park, live music at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater and a performance from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra at Rash Field Park heading into the fireworks show. The fireworks can be seen from the Baltimore Museum of Industry’s waterfront for $100 per vehicle.

Cherry Hill, July 4, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The family-friendly Cherry Hill Arts and Music Waterfront Festival at Middle Branch Park includes arts and crafts, and musical performances from Sister Carol, N’Dea Davenport, Navasha Daya, Mighty Mark and NFuzion. Attendees can catch a view of the city skyline and fireworks show from the waterfront park.

Baltimore County

Catonsville, July 4, 9:15 p.m.

Catonsville residents set up chairs along the road for the July 4 parade route to stake out a spot to watch as early as a month ahead of the event. The 78th annual parade begins at 3 p.m. At 6:30 p.m., the Fireworks Family Fun Fest begins at Catonsville High School with live music, food vendors, and later, the Mammoth Fireworks Display at 9:15 p.m.

Dundalk, July 4, 9:15 p.m.

The Dundalk fireworks will be at North Point Government Center and are centered on Grange Elementary School.

Nottingham, July 4, 9:15 p.m.

The Fullerton Fireworks Celebration and Music Festival begins at 2 p.m. at Fullerton Park, featuring food, drinks and live music before the fireworks show at 9:15 p.m. Fullerton Avenue will be closed to traffic at 7 p.m.

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Towson, July 4, 9:10 p.m.

Fireworks in the Towson area will start between 9:10 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. at the Loch Raven Technical Academy. The fireworks are shot off from the lower soccer field across from the Ravenwood Shopping Center.

Jesus House Baltimore in Milford Mill, July 4, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Jesus House Baltimore is hosting a free family picnic and fireworks show with live music, food, a business expo and activities for all ages.

Kingsville, July 5, 6 p.m.

To catch some fireworks after Thursday’s celebrations, head to Mount Vista Park starting at 6 p.m. for Kingsville Fireworks, put on by the Kingsville Volunteer Fire Company.

Middle River, July 6, 9:30 p.m.

From barges outside the 6-knot zone, fireworks will be shot off after dark for the Fireworks Extravaganza on Middle River.

Carroll County

Westminster, July 4, 4 p.m.

The Carroll County Farm Museum will offer live music, food vendors, face painters and more at its July 4 celebration. The attendance fee is $10 per car.

Center Street, Gist Road, Kate Wagner Road, Hook Road and Smith Avenue will be closed at various sections to manage traffic.

Through July 6, the Manchester Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting a carnival. Each day, the department will provide different meals and live entertainment from different bands. There will be a parade July 2 and fireworks July 5.

There will also be rides available from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. each night, with wristbands at about $28 to ride all night.

250 drones will join fireworks Thursday above Baltimore. Here’s how the July Fourth display came together.

Harford County

Aberdeen, July 4, 6 p.m.

The City of Aberdeen is having its annual “Red, White and Boom” celebration at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium. Activities include cornhole, rock climbing, ax throwing, live music, fireworks and more.

Bel Air, July 4, 6 p.m.

The Bel Air parade features floats, bands, car clubs, community leaders and first responders. It starts from the corner of Idlewild Street and Main Street. Fireworks will begin around 9:30 p.m.

Havre de Grace, July 6, 2 p.m.

The Havre de Grace Independence Day Parade will start at 2 p.m. on July 6. The parade will launch at the corner of Union Avenue and Warren Street and will feature a lineup of marching bands, community groups, and first responders.

Howard County

Columbia, July 4, 3 p.m.

Co-hosted by the Columbia Association and Howard County, this event will feature live music, fireworks and more at the Columbia Lakefront. Attendees can bring blankets and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., there will also be food trucks. Sections of Little Patuxent Parkway will be closed to traffic.

At 9 p.m., there will be a national anthem performance just ahead of the fireworks display at about 9:30 p.m. The event and parking are free.

Columbia, July 4, 3 p.m.

The Navy Concert Band will perform a free concert at the Merriweather Park in Symphony Woods to commemorate Independence Day.

The concert is free.