May 16, 2008

Thursday, May 22 - Memorial Day Festivities Planned

OCEAN PINES - Tom Cetola, chairman of the Memorial Day Committee for the Worcester County Veterans Memorial, indicates plans are in tact for the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the site on Route 589 near the South Gate of Ocean Pines. Music, pageantry and patriotism will be the themes for the day. Keynote speaker for the event will be Maryland Secretary of Veterans Affairs, James A. Adkins (Brig. Gen., RET). Adkins retired from the military in 1997 after 22 years of service. Entertainment will...READ MORE

Wednesday, May 21 - OC Makes Open Container Change Official

OCEAN CITY - The second reading of the ordinance that will change open container violations from arrestable to non-arrestable offenses was passed 6-1 this week, but not without protest from Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). 'Every alcohol-related tragedy begins with an open container,' said MADD Program Specialist Nancy Rainer this week in a plea to the Mayor and City Council. The ordinance change calls for open container violations to move from a criminal misdemeanor to a municipal...READ MORE

Tuesday, May 20 - Little River Band Performing In OC

OCEAN CITY - An exciting addition to Ocean City's Memorial Day weekend is coming to the Roland E. Powell Convention Center when Little River Band performs in concert on Saturday, May 24 at 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Ocean City Convention Center Box Office, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, May 17 and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday, May 24; or through TicketMaster at www.ticketmaster.com or 1-800-551-7328. Little River Band's popularity...READ MORE

A Week In Business

Earl Conley joins Bank of Ocean City OCEAN CITY- Wayne Benson, President of Bank of Ocean City, along with the Board of Directors, is pleased to announce the hiring of Earl E. Conley II as Business Development Officer of the bank. Conley's duties will include business development and lending. He is a 1990 graduate of Worcester Country School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a MBA from Salisbury State University.  Conley is currently a Board Member of...READ MORE

VFW Post 8296 Auxiliary

VFW Post 8296 Auxiliary President Rose Kinsey and Treasurer Lois Caldwell presented a check to Diakonia Inc. Program Coordinator Latesha Balam (right) during a luncheon honoring Caldwell (center) for her 30 plus years of service to VFW Post 8296 Auxiliary. ...READ MORE

Ocean City Development Corporation

The Ocean City Development Corporation (OCDC) held it annual meeting last week and handed out several awards for actions promoting and enhancing the downtown area. Pictured above, former Ocean City planning commission member Larry Sawyer accepts an award from OCDC president Greg Shockley for his company's Isabella project on 1st Street. ...READ MORE

Worcester Career and Technology Center Grant

The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore has awarded a $500 grant to the Worcester Career and Technology Center to provide support for the first annual 'Arts and Technology Heritage Festival' held last week. Pictured above, CFES President Spicer Bell (center) presents the grant to WCTC Principal Dr. Jane Pruitt (right) and WCTC Spanish teacher and festival coordinator Adrianna Bonsteel (left). ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary "Students of the Month"

Buckingham Elementary recently honored its 'Students of the Month' for April with a lunch for their families provided by Boomer's Restaurant. Pictured above are some of the students including David Braciszewski, Levi Metzger, Matthew Kinsey and Alberto Alamillo. ...READ MORE

Buckingham Elementary "Students of the Month"

Pictured are more of the BES 'Students of the Month' for April including Devin Daniels, Natalie Bunting, ShaTyria Thomas, Malak Qibaa and Lawrence Johnson. ...READ MORE

Stephen Decatur Presents Shakespeare Under the Stars

Stephen Decatur High School's drama department will be presenting its 13th Annual Shakespeare Under the Stars in the Gladys C. Burbage Courtyard this weekend.  The Winter's Tale will be the adapted feature directed by instructor Mrs. Gwen Lehman. Pictured above, student Jamar Collins will star as the Mariner. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep

Shelby Laws and Christopher Choy, pictured above, were part of the 5th-grade ensemble of students who treated a packed house of parents and friends to a special musical show featuring Asian music, dance and art at Worcester Prep recently. ...READ MORE

St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Ocean City

The St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Ocean City last Sunday held a confirmation ceremony for its class of 2008 including Nicholas French, Julia Miller, Ashley Springer, Rebecca Parsons, Lacey Street, Ryne Dudley and Tim Jerscheid, all pictured above with Pastors Davis and Wolpert. ...READ MORE

Colonial Dames Essay Winners

Marian Chambers of the Colonial Dames recently announced Madison Kyger (left) and Brandon Thaler (right) were essay winners in the 2008 competition. Both will receive all-expense paid weeks in Washington, D.C. where they will engage in studies of the workings of our government. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Girl's Tennis

Holding the ESIAC Championship Trophy for Girls' Tennis are, left to right: Brittany Marshall, Coach Cyndee Hudson and Jenna Hudson. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep Boy's Tennis

With the ESIAC Championship Trophy for Boys' Tennis are, left to right: Daniel Bunting, Trevor Mathias and Coach Draper McCabe. ...READ MORE

Worcester Prep ESIAC Doubles Champions

The Worcester team also captured the ESIAC Doubles Championship. Pictured above, left to right, are Coach Cyndee Hudson, Niki Kunciw, and Christina Vosters. ...READ MORE

Voices From The Readers

Leaders Failed with Slots Editor: As I watched the news with the governor running all around the state telling everyone how important passing the slots legislation is, I can't help but think how shameless our state demorcratic leadership is. During the last four years Mike Busch, Mike Miller and even then Mayor O'Malley worked hard against slots, telling any and all how they would ruin the state, ruin the people of the state. By not working with the past Governor to get slots passed this group...READ MORE

What Others Are Saying

Marylanders appreciate the environment, worry about global warming and love their cars. But gasoline prices approaching $4 a gallon are prompting thousands of commuters to park their first love and take buses or trains to work instead. The move to mass transportation is a smart decision and an important first step away from the wasteful use of gasoline that threatens to choke the U.S economy. This is a rare opportunity to capitalize on the public's revulsion over gas prices and convince...READ MORE

Decatur Boys Drop a Heartbreaker

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's men's varsity lacrosse team took an early exit from the state playoffs last Friday, losing a heartbreaker to visiting Annapolis, 12-11, in overtime in front of a big crowd at home. Decatur entered the game as the number-two seed in the state's Class 3A-2A East Region tournament after finishing the regular season with a 12-1 record including the Seahawks first-ever Bayside Conference championship. Looming on the other side of the bracket was top-seeded Kent Island, which...READ MORE

Decatur Rolls to 10-0 Win over Aberdeen

BERLIN- The Stephen Decatur girls' varsity softball team wasted no time proving why they are the top seed in the state Class 3A-East region tournament, eliminating visiting Aberdeen, 10-0, in a game shortened to just five innings. Decatur jumped out to an early 7-0 lead behind the solid pitching of Maddie Justice and timely hitting up and down the line-up. The Seahawks scored three runs in the bottom of the fourth to extend the lead to 10, and Aberdeen went three up, three down in the top of the...READ MORE

Seahawks Upset by Annapolis, 5-4

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's girls' varsity lacrosse team's dream of a perfect season and a possible state championship came to an end with a 5-4 upset loss to visiting Annapolis on Wednesday night in the Class 3A-2A East Region semifinals. Decatur came into the contest as the top seed in the region with a perfect 14-0 record after cruising through its regular season schedule on the way to another its third straight Bayside Conference championship. After earning a first-round bye, the Seahawks...READ MORE

Seahawk Nine Advances to Semis

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur's varsity baseball team is still very much alive in the state Class 3A-East region tournament after sweeping a pair of games on Monday and Tuesday this week. After Monday's game was washed out by the storm, the Seahawks had to play on back-to-back days against two tough opponents to stay alive and earn a crack at top-seeded Centennial this afternoon on the road. In Tuesday's game against visiting Howard, Decatur broke up an early 1-1 tie with two runs in the third to take...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

People Joining Together For Community Causes

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

Diving Into The Area's Cultural Activities

An inside look at the regional arts scene through photographs.  ...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 Emerson Towers Fri-Sun 10-4 3BR/3BA Bayfront End of Wicomico St Terry Looney Century 21 410-726-7689 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...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 4627 Coulbourne Mill Rd Sat 10-4 3BR/2BA Cozy Rancher Tamera Myers Coldwell Banker Eastern Shore 800-258-5843 VIRGINIA Captains Corridor Daily 9-5 Canalfront, Golf Course & Interior Homes George Ann Way Coldwell Banker Eastern Shore 800-258-5843 OCEAN PINES Points Reach #2208 Sat & Sun 11-3 3BR Bayview Condo Patty Cummings Remax Premier...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

Found Hiding Under Sink

OCEAN CITY- A Powellville man was arrested on an open warrant following a brief foot chase by resort police after which he was found hiding under a bathroom sink. Around 6 p.m. last Thursday, an OCPD officer on routine patrol in an unmarked car around 4th Street observed a Chevy Cavalier with a man behind the wheel he knew as Edward J. Zisk, 40, of Powellville. The officer knew Zisk was wanted on outstanding warrants and also knew that his license was suspended and revoked. The officer tailed...READ MORE

OCPD Discrimination Suit Resolved

OCEAN CITY- The lawsuit filed against the town of Ocean City last September by a federal watchdog agency citing discrimination against certain Ocean City Police Department officers based on age when it came to training and promotions was resolved this week with a consent decree approved by all parties. While the consent decree agreed upon by the town and the EEOC does not include an admission of guilt, hefty measures are levied against the town including thousands of dollars in back compensation...READ MORE

Berlin Begins Post-Cardinale Era

BERLIN- Berlin Town council member Ellen Lang was elected Vice President of the Council at the first town meeting since Mayor Tom Cardinale passed away unexpectedly on May 3. The meeting convened with a prayer of remembrances for Mayor Tom, as the Town Council called him, before Interim Mayor Gee Williams read a statement. 'Although we recognize that we are a community family in mourning, we also have an obligation to each other to carry on with the business of our town, to address the needs and...READ MORE

Ruark Cops Plea in DUI Case

OCEAN CITY - Wicomico County State's Attorney Davis Ruark faced charges of driving under the influence this week in Ocean City District Court, receiving one year of unsupervised probation, $500 in fines and 12 points on his drivers license. Ruark, 52, of Parsonsburg, was arrested on Chesapeake Drive in Ocean City on February 22 after resort police received a 911 around 9:40 p.m. from a local resident who had been following a vehicle that was speeding and driving erratically on the Route 90...READ MORE

Ledo's Burglar Pleads Guilty; Sentenced to Seven Years

SNOW HILL- An Ocean City man arrested in December along with a juvenile after attempting to break into a West Ocean City pizza parlor and swinging a crowbar at employees attempting to stop him pleaded guilty this week in Circuit Court to attempted second-degree burglary and was sentenced to seven years in jail. Shortly before midnight on December 30, Maryland State Police troopers, assisted by County Sheriff's Deputies, responded to the Ledo's Pizza in the White Marlin Mall for a reported...READ MORE

Plans for New Dough Roller Rise From Ashes

OCEAN CITY -The Dough Roller on South Division Street and the Boardwalk may not be opening their doors for business this season due to a devastating fire earlier this year, but plans are already underway for the construction of the new Dough Roller, with hope to have it up and running by next spring. Initial site plan approval was given to the southernmost Dough Roller this week, after a presentation of the new plans to the Planning Commission. Zoning Administrator Blaine Smith explained that...READ MORE

Rare May Storm Batters Resort

OCEAN CITY- Heavy seas, gale force winds and high tides inundated the resort area early this week, flooding streets, ripping the roofs and signs off buildings, knocking the power out for thousands and causing evacuations in some coastal areas nearby. If May is National Hurricane Awareness Month, the rare May Nor'easter that lashed the mid-Atlantic area on Sunday and Monday certainly illustrated the need for the occasion. The storm began early Sunday evening with winds gusting and heavy rains...READ MORE

Berlin Told to Use or Lose Open Space Funds

BERLIN- Facing the loss of a quarter of a million dollars of Program Open Space money if the funds go unused by late summer, Berlin could move ahead on as many as four projects in the next few months in order not to lose all of the state of Maryland funding for parks that has been allocated to the town by Worcester County. The most significant initiative is the long discussed Berlin Parks Master Plan, which would allow the town to create a planned approach to park improvements, instead of making...READ MORE

Cannery Project Inches Forward

BERLIN - Despite dire predictions of a year-long delay, the Cannery Village workforce housing initiative was able to go forward with an application for state funding by the deadline this week. Several weeks ago, the project was stripped of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding awarded in a previous year, but told to reapply by May 16. The project lacked a firm commitment for the remainder of the funding needed, and CDBG staff explained to the Berlin Town Council that the Cannery...READ MORE

Friday, May 16 - Fears of Sewer Rate Hike Allayed

BERLIN - Sewer customers in Berlin dreading a rate increase this summer can relax, at least until the improved and expanded plant is built and operating in fall 2010, Berlin's consultants on financing the sewer plant construction said this week, but they also said the special connection fee for new sewer hook-ups should still go up this summer. 'It's not necessary for you to increase your user rate until you start up your facility,' said Russ Tatman of URS Corp. Monday night, reporting on the...READ MORE

Troopers Forced to Shoot Pit Bull

OCEAN PINES- An aggressive pit bull threatening children, police and other animals in Ocean Pines this week was shot by Maryland State Police troopers and had to be put down. Around 6:18 on Tuesday, state police troopers responded to the Falconbridge Rd. area in Ocean Pines in reference to a female caller stating she was being attacked by a pit bull. Upon arrival, the troopers were advised a pit bull terrier was loose and was attempting to attack children and other animals, according to police...READ MORE

Coastal Bays Seeks OC Council Member

OCEAN CITY- The Maryland Coastal Bays' Coastal Fisheries Advisory Committee is seeking an official Ocean City member for the committee in an effort to garner further advice on fishery related management issues. Executive Director of the Maryland Coastal Bays Program, Dave Wilson, submitted the request to the Mayor and City Council this week, explaining the need for an official Town of Ocean City member. The Coastal Fisheries Advisory Committee began in 1999 as a bi-product of the Comprehensive...READ MORE

Community On Its Own with Drainage Problem

BERLIN- The Townes of Berlin homeowners association must continue to take care of its own stormwater ditches, the Berlin Town Council concluded Monday night. 'We've never asked for anything. Why do we pay taxes, honestly? Why do we pay taxes for services we don't receive?' asked Ron Facello, vice president of the Townes of Berlin homeowners' association. According to Facello, the town of Berlin does not handle trash pick-up or snow removal for the community, they say due to the nature of the...READ MORE

Berlin Historic District Tabled

BERLIN - No decision will be made on the proposed expansion of Berlin's historic district until after the new Comprehensive Plan is finished, the Berlin Town Council said Monday night, after hearing from several speakers during a public hearing. Most of the speakers were against the expansion. The Town Council was of that opinion before the meeting started, and the speakers only served to reinforce that conclusion. Interim Mayor Gee Williams said it was 'a little premature for us to immediately...READ MORE

Maintaining Commercial Encouraged

OCEAN CITY -A public hearing regarding development in commercial districts throughout town was held this week, and although no one from the public was present to voice their opinions, the Planning Commission moved forward with the possibility of changes that aim to protect commercial development. In an effort to protect commercial land in the resort town and prepare for any future building booms, the Planning Commission is reviewing commercially zoned sections of town to decide whether...READ MORE

Council Debates Lot Maintenance Issues

OCEAN CITY -Lot maintenance enforcement within the Town of Ocean City will be changing hands and seeing a fee increase, after a unanimous vote by the City Council this week to make the changes. Lot maintenance within the town is currently regulated by the Clerk's Office and has been for the past 35 years. Complaints over overgrown lots, cracks in curbs, excessive weeds and so forth are directed to the Clerk's Office, who in turn send out notices and fines to the properties in question. City...READ MORE

Town Receives Stormwater Bids

BERLIN - Three stormwater flooding reduction projects suggested by the Army Corps of Engineers report could cost the town of Berlin up to $90,000 for the preliminary work. The Berlin Town Council heard a pitch to provide engineering and design services by Davis, Bowen and Friedel Inc., at their Monday night meeting, but chose to push a decision back two weeks to the next meeting in order to have time to think about the proposal. The Town Council is considering only the phase I work, to evaluate...READ MORE

Council Briefed on EMS Addition

OCEAN CITY- The Mayor and City Council was given a demonstration of the Zoll Auto Pulse system this week, in an effort to educate the town on the EMS division's most recent technological advances. The Zoll Auto Pulse is a non-invasive cardiac support pump, designed to provide consistent chest compressions for an individual undergoing sudden cardiac arrest. 'It essentially does CPR for us, allowing us to do other things,' explained Captain Chuck Barton. In the instance of cardiac arrest, the...READ MORE

Live Bands and DJs

707 Sports Bar & Grille: 410-213-9507, 12702 Old Bridge Rd. West Ocean City; Friday, May 16: Blue Sky; Every Saturday: Karaoke with Hey Mick. Assateague Island Oasis: 410-629-1492, Rt. 611; Entertainment Friday & Saturday, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Blue ox/Babe's: 410-250-6440, 127th St., Coastal Hwy.; Friday, May 16: Blake Haley; Saturday, May 17: Nancy Micciulla; Thursday, May 22: Bill Morningstar. Buxy's Salty Dog: 410-289-0973, 28th St. & Coastal Hwy.; Friday, May 16: Beach Burritos;...READ MORE

"The Life and Death of Dom Spino"

How's that for the dramatic?  In my overly theatrical and mostly twisted mind, I envision the title of this, the final installment of 'Outside the Bubble', illuminated in flashing lights, and there is a line of dancing girls doing high kicks around the block, welcoming folks in for the final show into my sometimes bitter but always satire soaked thoughts. Tickets will of course be free as people in Ocean City will do just about anything for free stuff.  (For example, see '100 Crazy...READ MORE

We Remember Those Who Have Passed

William E. Regan, Jr. BERLIN - William E. Regan Jr., 67, formerly of Timonium, Md., and retired to Berlin, died suddenly Thursday, May 8, 2008. Regan was the founder and past president of Data Networks, Inc., one of the largest privately held companies in the area that supplies computer systems to schools and local and state governments. He was born and raised in Baltimore into a large Irish-German family and attended Loyola-Blakefield where he excelled in basketball and football. Regan was...READ MORE

My Thoughts

So the Cruisers hit town again this week and the old guy, for one, will throw open all of his windows to listen to the beautiful drone of the classic cars from his younger days. You see, some complain about the noise and the burnouts and the traffic, but for Insider, it's all music to his ears. He might even polish up the DeSoto and take a few laps up and down the strip. He'll fit right in and be welcome by the motorheads because he was once one of them and they can sense that. Old guys like...READ MORE

Keeping Assets In The Family

OCEAN CITY - The tax fallout of any inheritance strategy is a major concern for those wishing to pass on their wealth to the next generation. But by working with your attorney and financial advisor to create the right trust strategy and structure, you can transfer more to heirs, keeping the bulk of your assets in the family. Dynasty trusts, also known as 'generation-skipping trusts,' can be structured to pay income•€'plus principal, in cases of need •€' to your children for their...READ MORE

Things I Like

That the Route 50 Bridge is back to normal Waking up in the middle of the night to rain Laura Bush The book of •€˜Proverbs' in the Bible A glass of Dewar's on ice in a snifter Cream of crab soup with lumps in it Watching adults act like kids Charity golf tournaments Solar lights with strong batteries That lacrosse highlights are making ESPN That •€˜final' exams are a thing of the past ...READ MORE

What's Your Sign?

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Although you might prefer moving forward at a steady pace, it might be a good idea to stop and reassess your plans. You could find a good reason to make a change at this time. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Just when you thought you had everything planned to the smallest detail, you get some news that could unsettle things. But a timely explanation helps put it all back on track. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Home and work continue to compete for your attention. But you...READ MORE

Thoughts From The Publishers Desk

It looks like the Route 50 Bridge resurfacing project will be completely finished before the Cruisin' event kicks off on Thursday. As a matter of fact, one of the newly paved westbound lanes was opened for traffic earlier this week. This is good news because these 5,000 or so classic car fanatics deserve a year of decent roads. During the previous two years' events, the Cruisers have dealt with the pain of the Coastal Highway repaving projects. A third straight year of road havoc may have kept...READ MORE

Proprietor Maintains Creative Balance With Nightly Offerings

OCEAN CITY - Often noted for its eclectic, casual fine dining atmosphere, Marlin Moon Grille has developed into one of the area's favorite restaurants over the past nine years, promising classical dishes with a unique twist. Marlin Moon Grille owner Gary Beach debuted the restaurant nine years ago as the Reel Inn Grille. After two seasons of what Beach deemed a 'critical success', Beach decided to buy out his partners, with the agreement to change the name of the restaurant. The following...READ MORE