Grab your girlfriends and celebrate your special holiday with Essex CDC’s 3rd Annual Galentine’s Ladies Lunch & Cake Decorating Class: a fun-filled afternoon for a great cause!  GENERAL INFORMATION: Saturday, February 7, 2026 1:00 - 4:00 PM Buon Appetito Restaurant at 405 Mace Ave, Essex, MD 21221 $75 per person Fundraiser benefiting the Essex Community Development Corporation (Essex CDC) YOUR TICKET INCLUDES: Seated Italian Lunch at Buon Appetito including House Salad, Meatballs Marinara, Farfalle à la Vodka (Vegetarian), Soft Drinks, Coffee & Tea Cash bar available Cake Decorating Class with "Pinkee" of Pinkee’s Sweet Treats This year we’re switching it up! Instead of past designs, we’ll be making CONVERSATION HEART CAKES  complete with a heart-shaped cake and colorful icing.  Come with a fun or feisty saying to write on your conversation heart cake! We’ll be giving out prizes for the most creative sayings, so bring your A-game. This is the perfect way to spend quality time with your girlfriends,

✨ Essex Facade Improvement Grant Program Information Session: Monday, February 9 at 5:30 PM ✨Own or operate a business or commercial property in Essex? Want to improve your storefront, signage, or building exterior? Essex CDC is launching the 2026 Essex Facade Improvement Grant Program on Monday, February 9, and we’re hosting an information session to walk you through it.💰 Grant funds can be used for eligible exterior improvements that enhance the look, safety, and appeal of Essex businesses and commercial properties.📅 In-Person Grant Information Session:🗓 Monday, February 9⏰ 5:30–7:00 PM📍 Essex CDC Office25 Eastern Blvd., Suite 98 For more information, contact beautification@essexcdc.org.

Join Commercial Property Owners, Business Owners and Operators & Community and Nonprofit Leaders with an interest in Essex for our first Coffee and Conversation HAPPY HOUR of 2026! This is a FREE NETWORKING EVENT focusing on building connections between businesses/groups and leaders. Join us on:Thursday, February 12, 20265:00-7:00 PM atIsland View Waterfront Cafe/Venue2542 Island View Rd, Essex, MD 21221 Attendees will enjoy happy hour treats and conversation as we get to know one another and share information about initiatives and projects currently taking place in Essex. RSVP by February 11. Don't wait to sign up! To RSVP:Text or Call: 443-579-7974 orEmail: alison.maxwell@essexcdc.org WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU THERE! 

🍽️ Essex Eats for Good 🍽️(formerly Dine Out for a Cause) We’re thrilled to share that LoonAsea Restaurant is supporting Essex Community Development Corporation once again for our Essex Eats for Good event! 10% of your bill during the event will support Essex CDC and our efforts to revitalize the Eastern Blvd. corridor.

🌎 WWTP – Back River Shoreline Trash Cleanup 🌎 Join us for a morning of giving back and protecting the Chesapeake Bay! 📅 Saturday, March 7, 2026⏰ 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM📍 Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant8201 Eastern Avenue, Essex We’re teaming up with the Maryland Waterways Foundation and Essex Community Development Corporation to remove bottles, cans, and debris from the Back River shoreline and keep trash out of the Chesapeake Bay. ✔ Earn service hours✔ Gloves, bags & pickers provided✔ Coffee, donuts & hot dogs included Wear boots or closed-toe shoes and bring a friend! Advance sign-up isn’t required, but it helps us plan.📞 443-983-2945 | 📧 mdwaterways@gmail.com

🚦 Have a Voice in the Future of Eastern Boulevard! 🚶‍♂️🚗 The Essex Community Development Corporation is hosting an Open House to share updates and gather community input on the Eastern Boulevard Traffic and Pedestrian Safety Study. 📅 Wednesday, March 18, 2026⏰ 5:00 - 6:30 PM📍 Essex CDC Office25 Eastern Boulevard, Suite 98Essex, MD 21221 This study, conducted in partnership with a Baltimore County traffic engineering firm, has been underway for several months. Now it’s time to hear from the community! Join us to:✔️ Review proposed ideas and improvements✔️ Share your experiences traveling along Eastern Boulevard✔️ Provide feedback that will help shape recommendations for Baltimore County and the Maryland State Highway Administration. Your voice matters! Whether you live, work, walk, bike, or drive along Eastern Boulevard, we want to hear from you. 📧 Questions? Email beautification@essexcdc.org

☕💬 Upcoming Coffee & Conversation – March 2026! Exciting news, Essex community! Our next Coffee & Conversation at Coffee & Cone is just around the corner - join us for a morning of food, drinks, and community networking! Enjoy great coffee, delicious food, and lively conversation in a relaxed, welcoming setting. Whether you want to grow your network, stay informed, or simply connect with others invested in Essex, this is the place to be! 📅 Thursday, March 19, 2026⏰ 9:00 - 10:30 AM📍 Coffee & Cone - 530 Eastern Blvd., Essex, MD 21221 ✅ RSVP by Wednesday, March 18📱 Text or Call: 443-579-7974📧 Email: alison.maxwell@essexcdc.org 🌐 Register online: www.chesapeakechamber.org/event-65163632 📣 Check the Essex CDC Facebook page for any updates or changes. ✨ Food • Drinks • Conversation • Community ✨

🍞✨ FREE Cottage Industry Training! ✨🍪 Have you been thinking about growing your cottage food business? Now’s your chance to learn from an expert! Join us for a Cottage Industry Training Session with Sue Farace, CP-FS and gain valuable insight into understanding regulations, growing your business, and setting yourself up for success. 🗓 Thursday, March 19, 2026⏰ 5:00 – 6:30 PM📍 Essex CDC Office - 25 Eastern Blvd., Suite 98 RSVP by Monday, March 9 by calling 📞 443-579-7974 Don’t miss this opportunity to build your knowledge and confidence in the cottage food industry. We look forward to seeing you there!

🧹 Eastern Blvd. Commercial Corridor Trash Pick-Up 🌎 Join us for a morning of service and community-building as we clean up Eastern Boulevard and help prevent trash from polluting the Chesapeake Bay! 📅 Monday, April 6, 2026⏰ 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM📍 Essex Park & Ride (50 Eastern Blvd., Essex 21221) ✔ Earn service hours✔ Meet new friends✔ Coffee & refreshments provided Let’s take pride in our community and help make Essex a great place to live, work & play!(Advance sign-up encouraged, but not required!)

☕ Coffee & Conversation - April 2026 Happy Hour Commercial property owners, business owners & operators, and community leaders with an interest in Essex - this one’s for you! Join us on Thursday, April 16 from 5-7 PM at Sussex Elementary for an evening of connection, conversation, and community building. 📍 515 S. Woodward Dr., Essex, MD 21221🍴 Food • Drinks • Conversation • Community RSVP by Wednesday, April 15📞 443-579-7974📧 alison.maxwell@essexcdc.org 🔗 www.chesapeakechamber.org/event-6550929 Let’s connect and talk about what’s next for Essex!