May 9, 2008

Phony Police Car

BERLIN - The juvenile driver of a retired police car still equipped with lights and sirens was arrested last week after driving aggressively and attempting to stop other motorists. Last Wednesday evening, Maryland State Police were cooperating with Berlin police in an effort to locate a gray Ford Crown Victoria with dark tinted windows reported to be driving aggressively and attempting to pull over other motorists along eastbound Route 50. Berlin police observed the suspect vehicle going 81 mph...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

Cecilia Dea Parker BERLIN - Cecilia Dea Parker, 56, of Berlin and formerly of Locust Point in Baltimore, died suddenly Monday, April 21 at home. Born in Baltimore, she was the daughter of Bernard C. and Cecilia T. Lukiewski. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mitchell L. Parker in 1991. 'Dea,' as she was known to her family and friends, worked at several area businesses including most recently, Frontier Town Campground. She enjoyed traveling and going to the beach, but her favorite...READ MORE

Farewell, Mayor

While Berlin was putting its best foot forward during the 1st Annual Jazz and Blues Bash, its mayor passed away at his home of cardiac arrest. Mayor Tom Cardinale would have enjoyed the scene on Main Street last Saturday. Mixing it up with residents and visitors alike was one of his favorite things to do. He enjoyed the personal aspects of being mayor. As obvious as that was, it was equally evident he took the shortfalls of life as a politician to heart. He had thin skin and did not revel in the...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Berlin Comp. Plan Meeting A Start Editor: Congratulations Berlin. Last Wednesday night, a standing room crowd of Berliners showed up for Berlin's future. This second well-attended comprehensive plan meeting was designed to create a shared vision for Berlin. The town's consultants got the ball rolling with the crowd broken into smaller groups with everyone given a chance to talk about historic preservation, mixed-use development, and town services. Time ran short on development issues. This was a...READ MORE

Live Bands and DJs

707 Sports Bar & Grille: 410-213-9507, 12702 Old Bridge Rd. West Ocean City; Friday, May 9: Doug The Mad Man; Every Saturday: Karaoke with Hey Mick. Assateague Island Oasis: 410-629-1492, Rt. 611; Entertainment Friday & Saturday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Buxy's Salty Dog: 410-289-0973, 28th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Friday, May 9: TBA; Saturday, May 10: Kevin Poole; Wednesday, May 14: Surf DJs; Thursday, May 15: Kevin Poole. Caribbean Bar & Grill: 410-289-0837, Just off the boards on 2nd St.;...READ MORE

Cardinale Remembered For Passion

BERLIN - Good people in general, and good politicians specifically, are often required to give of themselves until it hurts, and in the case of the late Berlin Mayor Tom Cardinale, who died last Saturday afternoon of a cardiac arrest at the age of 69, the affable leader might have paid the ultimate price for his tireless love of the town and its people. Cardinale reportedly went into cardiac arrest around 1 p.m. last Saturday at his home in the Henry's Green community. EMS crews responded but...READ MORE

Friday, May 9 - Arts Center, AGH Seek County Funds

SNOW HILL - Despite dire predictions of a tight budget year, two local non-profits asked the County Commissioners for funding commitments to create a performing arts center and to expand health services at Atlantic General Hospital. Performing arts center partisans brought in Memo Diriker of Salisbury University to present the findings from his 2005 study, commissioned by the commissioners, that concluded a performing arts venue, and by preference several, was feasible and would benefit the...READ MORE

Friday, May 9 - Condo Project Eyed For Old Gas Station Site

OCEAN CITY - Plans for an eight-story condominium building were presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission this week, and although the building will not be a mixed-use project, the commission looked favorably upon the early stages of the plans. An informal discussion of the 44th Street project was held Tuesday. Informal discussions in front of the Planning Commission were part of the criteria passed with Special Bayside Regulations in 2007. All projects must undergo an informal discussion...READ MORE

Friday, May 9 - No Need For Open Container Law In County, Cops Say

BERLIN - Ocean City's vote this week to decriminalize the resort's open container law provided an opportunity to review the policy in the county at-large, and many might be surprised to learn there are no laws on the books governing open alcoholic beverage containers on the streets and sidewalks outside the municipalities. The Ocean City Council this week approved on a first reading an ordinance that would make having an open container a municipal infraction and not an arrestable offense, as it...READ MORE

Friday May 9 - Open Space Funds In Jeopardy

SNOW HILL - Maryland Program Open Space funds for Worcester County have been drastically reduced for this year, the county learned recently, and if Worcester County's towns do not use their Project Open Space money from past years soon, they could lose it altogether. 'This is 89 percent less, unfortunately, than we received last year,' said Sharon Reilly, director of Worcester County's Parks and Recreation Department. Program Open Space awarded the county $147,800 for fiscal year 2009. The...READ MORE

Boys Handle Easton to Claim 1st Title

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's boys' varsity lacrosse team's first trip to the Bayside Conference championship game ended this week ended with the Seahawks claiming the title with a convincing 19-7 win over Easton. Decatur faced Easton for the second time in a week when they traveled to Washington College on Tuesday to face the Warriors in the conference title game and the result was more of the same. Just as it played out last week, Decatur and Easton played fairly evenly through the early part of...READ MORE

Girls Rout Kent Island for 3rd Straight

BERLIN- The undefeated Stephen Decatur girls' varsity lacrosse team rolled to its third straight Bayside Conference championship on Tuesday, routing north division champion Kent Island, 13-5, to improve to 13-0 as the state regional playoffs begin. Something had to give when the Seahawks traveled to Washington College on Tuesday to face the Buccaneers in the conference title game. Decatur was unbeaten and Kent Island had just one loss, its only defeat coming at the hands of the Seahawks back on...READ MORE

Seahawks Close Out with 11-1 Win

BERLIN- Decatur's varsity baseball team walloped visiting Mardela, 11-1, on Monday in the regular season finale to finish with an 11-5 record on the year. Led by a dominating pitching performance by Josh Tyndall and Lucas Koenig, along with steady offensive production from up and down the line-up, the Seahawks made light work of Mardela in a game shortened to six innings by the slaughter rule. Decatur led 6-0 after the first two innings and never looked back on its way to the 11-1 win. Decatur...READ MORE

Seahawks Fall to Mardela for First Loss

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity softball team's dream of a perfect season disappeared with a 3-0 defeat to Mardela on the last day of the regular season on Monday, but the late loss did not prevent the Seahawks from securing the top seed in the state Class 3A East region tournament. The Seahawks entered Monday's season finale at home against Mardela with a perfect 17-0 record and had barely been tested throughout the season. Decatur pitching had recorded eight shutouts on the year and had...READ MORE

First Subway Cars Headed For Reef

OCEAN CITY - The first batch of retired New York City 'Red Bird' subway cars will find a permanent home off the coast of Ocean City next week, weather permitting, when 42 of the cars will be unloaded over the famous 'Jackspot' about 19 miles offshore on Tuesday morning. A barge carrying 42 of the retired subway cars from New York City is expected to reach the Jackspot around 10 a.m. on Tuesday where it will rendezvous with the local and state artificial reef foundation officials who will direct...READ MORE

Habitat Donation Precedes Demolition

OCEAN CITY - Demolition crews are on site of the Avelon Inn today, preparing to tear down the building to make way for a new corporate hotel. Crews worked this week to clear out the furniture and equipment left in the building, but instead of taking the material to auction or to the county dump, the property owner chose a different route, donating all of the viable furniture and hotel equipment to Habitat for Humanity. 'I was very surprised and pleased to hear from [project designer] Jay Bergey...READ MORE

Only Pillas Against Open Container Change

OCEAN CITY - Open container violations are one step closer to being a non-arrestable offense, after the City Council voted 6-1 this week to approve the ordinance change on first reading. The ordinance change calls for open container violations to move from a criminal misdemeanor to a municipal infraction, which would essentially move the offense from arrestable to non-arrestable. Currently, open container violations are issued at the discretion of police officers. Police can issue a citation...READ MORE

Public School Supporters Reiterate Familiar Message

SNOW HILL - School system supporters at the annual Worcester County public budget hearing held Tuesday night had little new to say, asking the County Commissioners to raise salaries for teachers and fully fund the school budget, as they ask every year. The Worcester County Board of Education budget for fiscal year 2009 is asking for $78 million, $8.4 million more than the budget allocated to the schools in fiscal year 2008. The cost to the county would rise under this request from $15,128 per...READ MORE

Williams Named Berlin's Interim Mayor Till Election

BERLIN - Berlin Mayor Tom Cardinale, who died last weekend, left behind quite a few major unfinished town projects and initiatives which the Berlin Mayor and Council and staff will need to carry on without his help, chiefly the expansion of the sewer plant and a new growth plan for the town. Cardinale had planned to run for re-election in the fall in large part to finish off the work he had started when elected in a landslide in 2004. 'There are things in the works that will come to fruition,'...READ MORE

10 Arrested, Cops Injured In Brawl

OCEAN CITY - Ten people were arrested, four Ocean City Police officers were injured and three suspects were transported to an area hospital early last Saturday during a fight involving several hundred people in the parking lot of a mid-town resort nightclub. Shortly after 2 a.m. last Saturday, Ocean City police were called en masse to the parking lot of Seacrets on 49th Street for a large fight in progress. When they arrived on the scene, local law enforcement officers observed several hundred...READ MORE

City Council Briefed On Next Month's Air Show

OCEAN CITY - The Ocean City Air Show is just one month away, and according to event organizers, the show is coming together as planned and promises to be an exciting first year for the Ocean City Air Show. The Ocean City Air Show will be held Tuesday, June 10 and Wednesday, June 11 from noon-3 p.m. A rehearsal day is scheduled for Monday, June 9 as well as an open house at the Ocean City Airport. The majority of the event is centered on 16th Street, with ground displays along 15th, 16th, and...READ MORE

Council Okay With Granting Developer Extended Boundary

OCEAN CITY - A revision to the boundary line for the Eagle's Nest Development was requested and approved in concept this week, with the ultimate goal to upgrade the current Eagle's Nest Campground. Hugh Cropper IV, attorney for property owner Jack Burbage, presented the request to the Mayor and City Council this week, explaining the reasoning behind the property line change of 65 square feet. Eagle's Nest Campground is located on 50 acres in West Ocean City at the east end of Eagles Nest Road....READ MORE

County Says No Thanks To Influenza Partnership

SNOW HILL - A Maryland state initiative to stockpile anti-flu virus medication in case of a flu pandemic will not count Worcester County among its participants. The County Commissioners voted unanimously this week to not pursue the anti-viral medication program after Worcester County Health Officer Debbie Goeller recommended against it. The state of Maryland was asking for a letter of intent to join the program by May 9, a letter of understanding by May 21, and full payment by June 11, forcing a...READ MORE

Health Dept. Explains Need For More Funds

SNOW HILL - The annual public budget meeting for Worcester County, held Tuesday night in Snow Hill, was relatively subdued, with little controversy on the slate, unlike in past years when new schools and requests for a smaller Homestead Tax Credit got citizens excited. The County Commissioners will spend the next month trimming $14 million in requests from the budget, turning $202 million of budget requests into $188 million of spending. The commissioners said repeatedly over the winter and...READ MORE

OC In No Rush To Enter Flu Partnership

OCEAN CITY - The proposal to enter into an anti-viral purchase partnership program with the state of Maryland was presented to the Mayor and City Council Monday night. Debbie Goeller, Worcester County Health Officer, and Joe Theobald, Director of Emergency Services, for the town of Ocean City, presented the Mayor and City Council with the potential partnership, which required an answer from the council by May 9. The anti-viral purchase partnership provides an opportunity for local governments...READ MORE

Residential Vs. Commercial At Heart Of Ongoing Debate

OCEAN CITY - A public hearing will be held Tuesday, May 13, in an effort to gain public input and discuss commercial development in the town as well as residential development in commercially zoned areas. 'How do we encourage or require commercial development in commercially zoned districts, or, do we limit residential development in commercially zoned districts,' said Director of Planning and Zoning Jesse Houston this week to the Planning Commission. The boom in residential development over...READ MORE

Resort Burglar Convicted, Sentenced To Year In Jail

SNOW HILL - An Ocean City man arrested on burglary charges in January after a brief standoff with resort police in one of the vacant residences he broke into was found guilty this week in Circuit Court and was sentenced to a year in jail. On Jan. 30, resort police received a call from alert citizens on Robin Drive about a suspicious man believed to have kicked in the door of an unoccupied apartment. Based on the information provided by the witnesses as well as the physical evidence observed by...READ MORE

Teen Sentenced In WOC Shooting Incident

SNOW HILL - A Salisbury man charged with attempted first-degree murder following a shooting incident in the parking lot of a West Ocean City restaurant last November pleaded guilty this week to first-degree assault and was sentenced to 10 years in jail with five years suspended. James Labronk Brumskin, 17, of Salisbury, appeared in Worcester County Circuit Court last Thursday to face attempted first-degree murder charges and other felonies after he was arrested last November when police...READ MORE

The Hobbit Is Back With New Focus, Sophisticated Look

OCEAN CITY - Last month marked the return of one of the resort's favorite restaurants, The Hobbit, and with it came a mix of good friends, new faces and an overwhelming response to all of the amenities of the new restaurant. The Dispatch sat down this week with owner Tom Heiderman and managing partner Chris Ciletti to discuss the new Hobbit, touching on everything from 30 years of business to the upcoming summer season. The Hobbit opened its doors Wednesday, April 23, just over two years after...READ MORE

My Thoughts

The old guy has noticed for some time the neighborhood birds have been using his attic vents for nests. It's okay by him, but Insider has had enough with the mess they cause in his attic as well as the massive droppings they leave along side the house every year. The old guy has watched this go on for at least the last few years, but a few months ago he decided he would beat them to their favorite spot and put an end to it. Insider ventured to E.S. Adkins and bought some screen to close off the...READ MORE

Spring Has Sprung at Showell Elementary

Spring has sprung at Showell Elementary and students Autumn Pracko, Lily Rakow, Amanda Cosgriff, Riley Mears and Madison Elman are "hanging out" with each other on the parallel bars on Showell's playground.  Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Stephen Decatur Students Place First In Cargo Ship Challenge

A team of Stephen Decatur High School students placed first last month in the Cargo Ship Challenge at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. Under the guidance of technology teachers Larry Ryan and Dale Kranz, students Hans Anderson, Matt Cathell, Tim Li, Jimmy Simons and Dylan Lucas created a radio controlled scale model cargo ship. Pictured, first row form left, are Lucas and Li; second row, Anderson, Cathell, Simons, Ryan and Kranz. ...READ MORE

Ocean City Elementary April Students of the Month

Ocean City Elementary School honored the April Students of the Month with a luncheon from Wendy's, sponsored by the Ocean City/Berlin Optimists.  First graders, first row,  Gianni Carlotta, Jagger Clapsadle, Corinne Krasner, Collin Terlizzi, Rachel Weppner;  second graders, second row, Jeremy Danner, Jesse Keen, Michael Mareno, Kyle Plaskon, Amaya Seltzer, Denise Kearns; third graders, third row,  Joseph Haines, Gavin Harrigan, Spencer Kaminski, Camron Mason, Brice Messick;...READ MORE

Americanism Essay Contest Winners From Ocean City Elementary

Americanism Essay Contest winners from Ocean City Elementary School were recognized at a luncheon hosted by the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 166. This year's theme was 'America - Home of the Brave, land that I Love'. The winners were Noah Shockley, first place, Alea Aul, second place, and Raymond Shockley, third place. The boys are pictured above with their parents, teachers and legion officials. ...READ MORE

Headmaster For The Day At Worcester Prep

When Kyle Chandler, right, a fifth grade student from Berlin, served as Headmaster for the Day at Worcester Prep, he asked students at the school to give donations to support the Worcester County Developmental Center, Inc. The result of his efforts was a check for $596.25 that was presented to Executive Director June Walker, left, and Katie West. ...READ MORE

Stephen Decatur High School Legal Interns

Stephen Decatur High School Legal Interns' prosecution team prepares for the Worcester County Law Day Competition. Above, Kara Brower, first place attorney, left, and Elyssia Cardenas, first place witness, pose with their plaques after the Worcester County Law Day competition on April 24. ...READ MORE

94th Street north-Fenwick

Big Tuna Grill 128th Street & Coastal Highway, 410-250-1001 , www.bigtunaOC.com A locals' and vacationers' favorite alike. Experience culinary delights as well as a visual excursion, dining among authentic nautical artifacts of old ships. Choose an array of entrees from fresh seafood to char-grilled steaks. Enjoy some drinks on our 50 ft. bar while watching our plasma TVs. Billy's Sub Shop 120th Street, Bayside (Food Lion Shopping Center) , 410-250-1776 Between 139th & 140th Streets,...READ MORE

Inlet To 94th Street

Angelo's Italian Cuisine 33rd Street & Coastal Highway , 410-524-2855 The Russo family proudly presents, Angelo's Italian Cuisine, the latest venture in a long line of Italian restauants and pizzarias owned by the family in Baltimore, Salisbury and Ocean City. Our authentic Italian cuisine is prepared by a top New York chef and presented in a classically decorated setting. Smoking allowed in our cocktail lounge with special drink prices 4-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. Open Tuesday-Saturday at 4...READ MORE

West Ocean City-Berlin-Ocean Pines

Assateague Island Oasis Rte. 611, West Ocean City , 410-629-1492 Enjoy a delicious meal, refreshing drinks, and the peace and quiet that once was. Weekly live entertainment and Happy Hour daily from 3-7 p.m. Just relax! Boomers Restaurant 525 South Main Street, Berlin , 410-629-0001 Conveniently located on Rte. 113 at the southern entrance to Berlin, Boomers Restaurant has re-opened after a complete renovation. Full service dining, self-service eat-in or carry-out. Food cooked to order. Fried...READ MORE

Ocean City

OCEAN CITY The Meridian Daily 10-4 Oceanfront Residences New Construction Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-520-0072 OCEAN CITY Bella Vista Daily 10-4 3BR Bayside Condos Coldwell Banker 410-723-1000 OCEAN CITY Bahia Vista 10th St. Bayside Mon-Fri 11-3 3&4BR Condos Dan Clayland Coldwell Banker 410-524-6111 OCEAN CITY Bel Mare Somerset Street Daily 11-3 3BR/2BA New Const. Skip Schlesinger Re/Max Premier Properties 410-520-8118 OCEAN CITY South Beach Boardwalk at 7th Fri-Sun 11-3 3&4BR...READ MORE

West Ocean City - Ocean Pines - Berlin - MD - VA

WEST OCEAN CITY Sailor's Watch Golf Course Road Sat & Sun 10-4 New 3BR, 3.5BA Luxury Townhouses Coldwell Banker VIRGINIA 3205 Salty Way Captains Cove Sat & Sun 10-2 4BR/3BA Waterfront For Sale by Owner 410-365-8561 VIRGINIA Coulbourn Mill Road Sat 10-4 3BR/2BA Cozy Rancher Decked Pool Tamera Myers Coldwell Banker Eastern Shore 800-258-4853 BERLIN Purnell Crossing Tues-Sun 11-6 3BR/2.5BA Villas w/ 2-car Garage Ryan Homes 866-776-9818 OCEAN PINES Canvasback Road Sat 11-3 3BR/3.5BA...READ MORE

Temple Bat Yam Raffle

Evelyn Dalmaso, left, of Ocean City, is pictured after buying raffle tickets from Arlene Joyner, Temple Bat Yam volunteer, for the 2008 fully loaded, leather interior Mustang convertible in background. The car is featured on Caroline Street and the Boardwalk. Raffle tickets can be purchased on site or by calling Temple Bat Yam at 410-641-4311. The drawing will be on Sept. 28. Submitted Photos ...READ MORE

Art With A Heart

Art League of Ocean City President Rina Thaler presents a check to Veronica Kahn of Diakonia, Inc., representing the proceeds designated for Diakonia, Inc. generated by Art With A Heart, an upscale show and sale at Seacrets. ...READ MORE

Carousel Resort Hotel and Condominiums

Carousel Resort Hotel and Condominiums Marketing Director Stan Kahn accepts a print of "Sand Dune" by Paige Ruby from Ocean City Council member Nancy Howard, representing the Art League of Ocean City. The award-winning print was given in appreciation of the Carousel Resort Hotel and Condominiums being a 2008 Corporate Patron of the Art League of Ocean City. ...READ MORE

Diving Into The Area's Cultural Activities

An inside look at the regional arts scene through photographs.  ...READ MORE

"I'm Selling Out and Buying Fat Pants"

In blink of an eye fashion, things start passing you by, and you are often left watching from your porch with a glass of lemonade or from the pavement after being trampled. I guess it depends on where you are when you realize this inevitable fact of life, or rather, how you feel about the magnitude of this realization. I guess it comes down to the double entendre of how badly you are trying to 'keep your cool' if you know what I mean. There are obvious signs that your window is starting to close...READ MORE

A Look At Who Was Out On The Town This Week

Weekly pictures from the restaurant and bar scene around the Ocean City area.  ...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Leadership Plan Approved SALIBURY - At the Peninsula Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees meeting held this week, the Board unanimously approved the Executive Committee's recommendation to move forward with an executive leadership succession plan put in place five years ago. According to Farouk Sultani, MD, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, 'When Peggy Naleppa, Executive Vice President/COO, joined the organization it was felt that her credentials, experience and leadership qualities would...READ MORE

Things I Like

Quick grocery store lines White stones in a driveway Assateague in the spring A crispy slice of pizza That Smoker's BBQ Pit is back open The first place I ever owned Bleu cheese on top of just about anything Little League baseball games A shower after working in the yard Iced tea with a lot of ice My dogs, Fletch and Bailey ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19): Taking advice isn't always easy for self-assured Rams and Ewes who think they know what's best. But it wouldn't hurt to listen to what close colleagues have to say. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20): You know how to balance life's practical aspects with the poetic. This gives you a special edge this week in both your professional endeavors and your personal life. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20): Focus on keeping a balance between your home-related activities and your workplace...READ MORE

The Case For Investing In Municipal Bonds

BERLIN - Regardless of who is elected president in November, congressional leaders are likely to push for higher tax rates for top income earners. That would erode their return on investments, with one notable exception: municipal bonds. Interest income from municipal bonds is exempt from federal taxation, so in the event of a tax hike, municipal prices could be expected to rise because the value of their tax-free income would increase. Currently, municipal bonds are especially attractive...READ MORE

People Joining Together For Community Causes

See who was out helping causes in the Ocean City area. ...READ MORE