Downtown businesses raise $15,000 for autism

"What's going on here?" a passer-by asked the towering doorman outside Osteria 177, a restaurant on Main Street. He eyeballed the Hollywood red carpet and velvet ropes. Through the windows, he could see the jam-packed place was jumping as loud music poured onto the street. Not a typical scene in Annapolis on a Thursday night.

"It's the second annual Strut & Sip for Autism, a fundraiser - it's sold out," was the reply.

Five downtown businesses - Capital Teas, Diva, La Belle Cezanne, Osteria 177 and Liu Liu Salon - organized the six-hour event, selling out all 115 available tickets for $100...