Submitted Photo
The Arby’s in Salisbury on Route 13 across from Salisbury University was recently presented with a “Triple Ace Award,” the highest award a restaurant can receive in the Arby’s system. Less than 1% of the 3,400 Arby’s restaurants achieve that status. Pictured, from left, are Franchise Operations East Coast Director Stephen Crouch, Supervisor Brittany Mason, Delmarby, Inc. President Todd Hershey and Delmarby, Inc. Vice President Regina Trader. “Delmarby, Inc. has been working very hard to improve customer service and recently completed the Arby’s national training program ‘Red Dawn Brand Camp’ with all of our employees. We have seen a huge improvement in service and quality,” Hershey said.
Real Estate Market Update
BERLIN – Although the latest figures from the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR) reflects increased contracts and settlements compared to the same time last year, area home values dipped slightly in January, as is custom across the country during the coldest time of the year.
CAR’s January local housing statistics – which represent the activity of CAR’s more than 1,000 REALTOR® members in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties – reflect a 17.2-percent increase in contracts, or pending sales, and a 13.7-percent increase in settlements, or completed sales. However, the figures also reflect a 12.6-percent increase in the average number of days that homes stay on the market, a 21.9-percent decrease in list prices, and a 22-percent decrease in sales prices.
“It’s not uncommon that real estate sales are not at their best during the cold month of January. Also, a lot of people are strapped for cash after the holiday season,” said Joel Maher, vice president of the CAR board of directors and a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Residential of Salisbury. “But as the weather gets warmer and tax returns start coming in, we’ll definitely see a boost in foot traffic and settlements.”
The local statistics reflect a strong inventory of homes available for sale, with a very slight – 0.6 percent – increase in listings. Prospective buyers are encouraged to take advantage of the still historically low mortgage interest rates and see these homes during a time of year which tests their durability.
“What a better time to see what a house can stand up to than during the wettest, coldest time of year?” said Sheila Dodson, executive director of CAR. “This is an ideal time to see how well-insulated the house is, how accessible the property is in bad weather, etc. This is the time that buyers should get out there and see the high-quality properties we have available on the Lower Shore.”
Accreditation Received
BERLIN – Atlantic General Hospital has been granted a three-year term of accreditation in Adult Transthoracic Echocardiography by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC).
Cardiovascular diseases are the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. On average, one American dies every 39 seconds of cardiovascular disease – disorders of the heart and blood vessels. The American Heart Association estimates that the direct and indirect cost for cardiovascular disease in the U.S. for 2010 was $503.2 billion.
Early detection of life threatening heart disorders and other diseases is possible through the use of Echocardiography procedures performed within hospitals, outpatient centers and physicians’ offices. While these tests are helpful, there are many facets that contribute to an accurate diagnosis based on Echocardiography testing. The skill of the Echocardiography sonographer performing the examination, the type of equipment used, the background and knowledge of the interpreting physician and quality assurance measures are each critical to quality patient testing.
Accreditation by the IAC means that Atlantic General Hospital has undergone a thorough review of its operational and technical components by a panel of experts. The IAC grants accreditation only to those facilities that are found to be providing quality patient care, in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process including detailed case study review.